Jesus curses the fig tree

[Shane R]

I am not leading the Lenten Bible study but I do attend one every Thursday. We are using a study guide which is following St. Matthew's Gospel through the Holy Week narrative. Today's session picked up with Jesus cleansing the Temple. The author skipped over Matthew 21:18-22 and one participant asked why? Pr. Al suggested that the section breaks up the narrative flow that the author was following. I disagree and proposed a couple of other ideas. The passage is generally considered difficult.

18 In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ 21 Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. 22 Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’​

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Before I provide the ideas I shared at the session, I shall let this topic marinate for a day or two. Feel free to bounce around ideas.

 

[d taylor]

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That represents the judgment Israel will (or did) receive, for rejecting Jesus as their Messiah.

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[Shane R]

I reminded the group that this story takes place in Spring; it is not the season for figs. One person responded, "That makes it even more confusing!"

The story is not about a fig tree at all. (I'm not saying it's not literal, just that the most literal reading misses the point.) The fig tree is standing in as a representative for something else. The important part is the suddenness and completeness of the judgment once pronounced by the Lord. A secondary message is simply: have faith, bear fruit.

 

[Jan001]

I reminded the group that this story takes place in Spring; it is not the season for figs. One person responded, "That makes it even more confusing!"

The story is not about a fig tree at all. (I'm not saying it's not literal, just that the most literal reading misses the point.) The fig tree is standing in as a representative for something else. The important part is the suddenness and completeness of the judgment once pronounced by the Lord. A secondary message is simply: have faith, bear fruit.

The fig tree stands for Israel. Jesus cursed it because the Jews' lifestyle did not produce the good fruit that it should have. Disobedient, sinful Israel was not a good example for the pagan nations. Israel should have been obedient to God's commandments so that their pagan neighbors could have seen that Israel's God was the true God. Israel even rejected its own Messiah.

Matthew 7:19
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

Matthew 21:42-43
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures:
‘The very stone which the builders rejected
has become the head of the corner;
this was the Lord’s doing,
and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
43 Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it.”

1 Peter 2:6
For it stands in scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

 

[Douggg]

Jesus cursed the fig tree beside the road on His way into Jerusalem for not having fruit - the week that He would be crucified. Rejected by Jerusalem, as their King of Israel messiah.

That set the definition of what the fig tree represented in Jesus's Matthew 24:32-34 parable of the fig tree generation that would witness His return.

The fig tree represented Jerusalem.

The Jews regained control of Jerusalem in 1967. So 1967 + 70 year/generation, Psalms 90:10 = 2037 at the latest year by which Jesus will return.

Subtract 7 years for Daniel 9:27/Ezekiel 39:9 and the 7 years will begin before the end of 2030.

And right before the 7 years begin is the Gog/Magog event of Ezekiel 38-39, which involves Iran (Persia of Ezekiel 38:5).

The current conflict of Iran against Israel seems to be leading up to the Gog/Magog event.

 

[Chaplain Jim]

The current conflict of Iran against Israel seems to be leading up to the Gog/Magog event.

Indeed.