Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

This happened on the 11th of Nisan after sunrise and in the morning. Normally the leaves and the fruit appear at the same time on a fig tree. This time Jesus could not find figs on the tree. Jesus’ predicted judgment on the temple will come to pass as surely as did his prediction that the fig tree would wither. Jesus uses the incident of the fig tree to teach critical lessons on faith and prayer. This is symbolic of His rejection of Israel a nation unfruitful despite every advantage. The source of the power for performing the miracle is God. He must be the object of our faith.

Background Reading:

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree

18 In the morning, as Jesus was returning to the city, He was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.

20 When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

21 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Matthew 21:18-22:
Also read: Mark 11:12–14; Mark 11:20–25.


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