“And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, ‘Let no fruit grow on you ever again.’ Immediately the fig tree withered away.” (Matt. 21:19)
Why did Christ curse and cause the fig tree to wither?
Fig trees were abundant in the Holy Land and a fruit-filled fig tree was a symbol of Israel. Therefore, as Christ was going from Bethany to Jerusalem, it was not unusual to find them all along the way. Because He was hungry Jesus went up to pick a fig, but found that it contained no fruit whatsoever, only leaves. This was odd because fig trees bring forth their fruit prior to leafing-out. Thus, this tree ‘should’ have had fruit on it. Also, fig trees are also generally proficient, providing anywhere from two to three crops or, in some areas, over ten.
Jesus cursing and causing the fig tree to wither is both symbolic and prophetic. The lesson being that we should produce spiritual fruit and not just maintain the appearance of religiosity (Galatians 5:22-23), and “much fruit” (John 15:5-8) lest we be judged harshly.
Prophetically it was also an indictment against Israel for the people’s dead spirituality and a denouncement of their lackluster profession and observances.
Fr. John
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