Expert: Marilyn - 12/27/2004

Question
what was the purpose of drying the fig tree or cursing it  infront  of the disciples

Answer
Hello Irenzo;

The story of the cursing of the fig tree appears in the following passages:  Matthew 21:18-22 and Mark 11:12-14.  

In Luke 13:6-9 Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree:  "...A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.  So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any.  Cut it down!  Why should it use up the soil?'  'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it.  If it bears fruit next year, fine!  If not, then cut it down.'"

The theme of "bearing fruit" appears frequently in Jesus' teachings and elsewhere in the New Testament.  Some of these are:

Matthew 3:8, 10, John the Baptist says, "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance...The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Matthew 7:16-20, "By their fruit you will recognize them.  Do people pick grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

In John 15 Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and My Father is the Gardener.  He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful...."

Some of the fruit we are bear are mentioned in Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."

In Philippians "the fruit of righteousness" is mentioned in chapter 1 verse 11.  See I John 3:7.

Paul says in Colossians 1:10, "And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way:  bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might...."

The Vines Expository Dictionary says this about the fig tree, "A "fig tree" with leaves must have young fruits already, or it will be barren for the season.  The first figs ripen in late May or early June.  The tree in Mark 11:13 should have had fruit, unripe indeed, but existing.  In some lands "fig trees" bear the early fruit under the leaves and the later fruit above the leaves.  In that case the leaves were a sign that there should have been fruit, unseen from a distance, underneath the leaves.  The condemnation of this fig tree lay in the absence of any sign of fruit."

Given this information and the context of the passage, where Jesus follows up the cursing of the fig tree with a discussion of faith that can move mountains, we can ascertain that Jesus wanted His disciples to bear fruit and a penalty existed for failure to do so.  

"Without faith it is impossible to please God...," Hebrews 11:6.  Jesus constantly admonished them for their lack of faith and following up the cursing of the fig tree coupled with His teachings on bearing fruit seems to imply He desired them to bear the fruit of faith.

The cursing of the fig tree was also a demonstration of faith since the fig tree died.  But believers are also to bear all the fruit of the spirit, not just the fruit of faith.

The parable of the fig tree who received a reprieve demonstrates Jesus' love for us that He won't easily give up on us, but will continue to work with us to bring forth fruit pleasing to the Father.  So, while the threat of being cut down or cut off is real, God is also patient with us and persistent.

May God bless you,

Marilyn