When Jesus told the parable of the fig tree, He was trying to get our attention because He is the master gardener. Thats the question. Mark 11:13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. Jesus Christ spoke one of His most interesting parables about a barren fig tree. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. Two stories from everyday life. We begin with - Jesus' prophetic act in the temple Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. But we know the kind of good King he is, dont we? The next morning, Jesus returns to Jerusalem. Im just showing you whats available. The account Mark gives offers detailed information about this curse from Jesus. curses the fruitless fig tree, representing unfruitfulness, Apocalyptic Events Bring Revival Around the World, Whats the meaning of Genesis 3:15? We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of parables within Scripture. 21:19-21; Mark 11:13,20,21). Both accounts are examples of the importance of the biblical and cultural context in understanding the words and deeds attributed to Jesus. How could Jesus raise it up again in three days? All he did was state a truth about it. The leaders should have been there to help but their heart wasnt in it. It should be noted first that the term "curse" is not used in biblical parlance in the modern sense of profanity. Just looked around. The remainder of the parable shows us the way out! The importance of faith has been a consistent theme for Mark. You can do a whole study of the meaning of Israel as the fig tree and the purpose of the temple. Parable of the Lost SheepParable of the TalentsParable of the Good SamaritanParable of Wheat and Tares, 10 Reasons God Might Not Be Blessing Your Life, 9 Christians You Don't Want to Sit Beside on Sunday Morning, 6 Truths about Jesus Coming into the World, Inspiring Mother Breaks Down after Earning Golden Buzzer with Celine Dion Hit, 7 Ways Anxiety Dominates the Christian Mind. Jesus doesnt love hollow religiosity. And the plan is next week to look at the second one, the cursing of the fig tree, which comes right before and after this temple story. Since the fig tree is a characteristic symbol for Israel in the OT, most scholars understand the cursing of the tree in tandem with the "cleansing" of the temple as a declaration of judgment. Jesus Teaches His Disciples the Lord's Prayer, Jesus Curses the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14), Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Mark 11:15-19), The Purpose of Baptism in the Christian Life, Scripture Readings for Ash Wednesday Through the First Week of Lent, Jesus' Authority Questioned (Mark 11:27-33), Holy Week Timeline: From Palm Sunday to the Resurrection, Jesus Heals Jairus' Daughter (Mark 5:35-43), 10 Ways for Latter-Day Saints to Develop Humility, 'I Am the Bread of Life' Meaning and Scripture. In Fruits. The tree hasn't had the proper care and feeding and is just there, marking time. Those arent up for discussion. Now, this story is really interesting from a historical perspective. And Jesus answering said to them, Suppose you that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Because there was this hypocritical fig tree in Bethany that was going to serve as an object lesson about the hypocritical temple in Jerusalem. When he gave Israel to the Jewish people, it was not just any old piece of land God says in Deuteronomy 8. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Jesus spoke the Parable or the Lesson of the Fig Tree in Matthew 24:32-35 as such: "From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out . "There will be no grapes on the vine. The temple was the center of life and worship. He ordered Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree to avoid death, and they disobeyed Him. What does the Bible say about the parable of the fig tree? If you don't know, or if your answer is pretty weak and unsure, then just consider for a brief moment that this unproductive fig tree could be a symbol of your life. The fig tree could be understood as symbolic of Israel Joel 2:2125. The cursing of the fig tree in Mark and Matthew and the parallel story in Luke are thus symbolically directed against the Jews, who did not accept Jesus as king. They have two sons, who are both married, and four grandchildren. Its an offer to find total cleansing before God, in him alone. The fig tree could be understood as symbolic of Israel Joel 2:2125. Christ meant it in the same way He used it when first preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God as quoted in Mark 1:15 Mark 1:15And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.American King James Version: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. 6 Why did Jesus curse a fig tree (Mark 11-12-14)? We have two options: we can make rules to exclude or remove barriers to include. But it is. Heres the point. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It did not fulfill its purpose, and as any diligent orchardist would do, Jesus simply eliminated an unproductive tree, not with an ax or a saw, but by faith. God the Son Incarnate: The Doctrine of Christ by Stephen Wellum. In Mark, a day passes between the cursing of the fig tree and the disciples discovery of what happened to it; in Matthew, the effect is immediate. This miracle, which can also be classified as a parable, is recorded in more detail in Mark than in Matthew. Why did Jesus take out his anger on the poor fig tree? The phrasing in verse 25 is very similar to that in Matthew 6:14, not to mention the Lords Prayer. The temple was an amazing place. Cut it down! And like Adam and Eve after the fall, this fig tree, though full in leaf, was useful only to cover nakedness. It means to stop going in one direction of life, a direction that can be self-destructive, and to turn around and go anotherin a way that's productive and even godly. Nor does it symbolize the recapture (after 2000 years) of Jerusalem in 1967. . It withers. It means to "bear fruits worthy of repentance" (Matthew 3:8 Matthew 3:8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:American King James Version). God is full of mercy and compassion. The fig tree is also symbollic of Israel itself It often symbolized the health of the nation both spiritually and physically [1]. Jesus becomes the very center of our life and worship. Fruit doesn't just appear in the grocery store; it's not grown on a delivery truck. That declaration will turn the tree into a withered mess (Mark 11:20). As He tends to our branches, He expects a fruitful return of His investment because He willingly paid dearly through the death on the cross. The chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him.. Didnt do anything. We need intimacy. He cleans things out. Last week, we saw from Mark 11:1-11 the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Thats why Im thankful for a song like Andy Gullhorns I Havent Either. C.S. In fact, the OT often uses the fig tree as a symbol of national Israel: "I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. In Mark, a day passes between the cursing of the fig tree and the disciples discovery of what happened to it; in Matthew, the effect is immediate. But stories and songs trick them and go aroundkind of like Jesus stories and lessons. The test of true worship doesnt reside in showy religiosity but in God-glorifying life. There are no guarantees. How did the temple get to this point? You get his atoning death. A temple fit for true worship. Its deadness is not a problem Jesus could ignore. And if it bears fruit, well. American King James Versiondefines the kind of fruit God wants to see produced in our lives: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. John the Baptist warned the people about the coming Messiah. A tree that doesn't grow those buds won't later produce full fruit. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In fact, its the only tree specified that we know for sure was in the garden. Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. But its up to us to rely on Jesus for the strength and wisdom to navigate what comes our way. Repentance is not a fashionable word today. American King James Version). As a result, the temple was dead and worthless. Biblically, and as Christ meant it here, it means to stop breaking the law of God and begin to obey God's law. God did something powerful. They have a bowl of pears on the coffee table in the living room. Who can worship God in a Wal-Mart? It did not fulfill its purpose, and as any diligent orchardist would do, Jesus simply eliminated an unproductive tree, not with an ax or a saw, but by faith. 14And he said to it, May no one ever eat fruit from you again. And his disciples heard it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near . The Jews could enter the next level. 15-19), True worship has faith in God (vv. Treesthe tree of life with its lifegiving fruit and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was used as parameters for the metaphor of the whole Bible. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. What to know before you start working at Starbucks? Fruitlessness leads to judgment. This parable of a barren fig tree is meant to teach us a vital truth. Was it done in retaliation for an attack on the Romans, or was it just done on the whim of the Roman governor as a display of Roman ruthlessness to keep the locals in fear? The only question remaining is simple: do you want to come? The fig tree prophecy is a reference to part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. We will have to lay down some of our preferences. He is hungry, sees a fig tree in leaf, inspects it, finds nothing but leaves, and curses it, saying, "May no fruit ever come from you again!". Thats what Jesus wants for his disciples. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. How about we make a commitment this morning, united together, to never establish any barrier that would keep others from Christ? Its about how open we are to God, and how open were making things for others. The main root is Abraham, the other two are Isaac and Jacob. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. But he does love sinners. But if they leave the church because we make it hard for them to worship God, thats between God and us. First of all, we see the figs in the garden of Eden covering up the shame of Adam and Eve. God loves to bring sinners to himself. [9] And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that you shall cut it down. But it wasnt, at least not alive to God. But they look real. Bible > Mark > Chapter 11 > Verse 13 eBibles Free Downloads Audio Mark 11:13 Context Crossref Comment Greek Verse (Click for Chapter) Please compare Luke 13:6-9. This parable of a barren fig tree is meant to teach us a vital truth. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Darris McNeely works at the United Church of God home office in Cincinnati, Ohio. In fact, its the only time in the Gospels where Jesus uses miraculous power for wounding rather than healing. It proves once again that Jesus is God. I've stood looking at barren trees and asked myself the same questions. Likewise, the absence or death of a fig tree would symbolize judgment and rejection. Hes tender to our new vines and branches. There is something that just feels rich and decadent about figs. Mark 11:13 must mean that the particular tree on which Christ expected to find figs was barren, because it had no figs on it at all. 6/20/2014. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The temple was defiled, but Jesus cant be defiled. 1) "The fig tree was the metaphor YHVH associated with Israel, and the remnant of Israel - Judea and Jerusalem. The Bible liken's the nation Israel to a fig tree. The church had just installed new carpet and new pews. 24:32ff), etc. They were going about their daily lives and were suddenly caught up in an event that happened to come their way. He had to confront it. But it wasnt his final resting place. It withered. "The normal habit of the fig tree is that fruit begins to form on the fig tree as soon as leaves appear. How can Jesus move the mountain of dead worship in the temple? When they were stepped on, they stuck to the bottom of their feet. About ten years ago, he released a song called I Havent Either. It starts off lighthearted, but the point it makes is profound. In these cases the Lord was using the symbolism of a budding tree which indicates that summer is coming soon to explain that the appearance of the signs he had described would mean His return was very close. He doesnt want us to be whitewashed tombs. God sees young Israel as a young fig tree full of fruit, but they don't live up to their promise. The key to understanding this valuable lesson is abiding in Christ. You could eat these, and travelers often did. But the tree didnt even have that. What if they had kept that sign up? The test of true worship is not merely how were feeling about God. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Who can stand? Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up. We need fruit. He overturns what doesnt belong. It means that through this announcement a new order of life is at hand and we need to obtain a mind-set that fits. That He is aware and inspecting His "vineyard" to know the condition of each of His trees is a comfort. Jesus saw what everyone would have seen upon close inspection: this tree was dead. . Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. It's rewarding to see a tree bending under the weight of apples, pears, oranges or grapefruit. It looked good. We will have to open our hearts to those not like us. To successfully propagate a fiddle-leaf fig tree, you will need to start with a tip cuttinga stem that is preferably 6 inches or more long . We're not told whether there was any provocation. In the Garden of Eden, the fig tree - considered by some to be the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil - was one of the important trees that the Lord planted, after the Tree of Life. Jesus curses the fig tree Spiritually the Jews would be dead for almost 1900 years until they regained a small portion of their homeland in 1948. 24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. What does Mark 11:13 mean? What? It was definitely identified as Jerusalem in Matt. Fig leaves then signify sins; and Nathanael, when he was under the fig tree, was under the shadow of death: . Do you know what happened to that little church? So ask him for it, and he will give it! How does it have any relation to the fig tree and to the temple? The account in Matthew 21 is compressed to . Lucky Peepal Tree (Fig Tree): A symbol for happiness, prosperity, longevity, and good luck, this tree is often found around Buddhist shrines. Because you and I have a great need to be near to God. Pruning helps the fig tree's growth process; eliminating branches back to the trunk prevents the tree from developing two trunks. The tree's roots spread, thicken and set. It didnt produce fruit. In those days, trees were symbolic of living a godly life. So it was with the nation of Israel. There has been a wave of serious terror attacks in the wake, Is revival breaking out? The significance of the Breba crop Have faith in God. He can now tell you, though, that no matter how good they look, theyre fake. Question: "Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?". But God is also a God of judgment, and Christ is warning here that a time of final judgment will come on a lifeespecially a life that has had opportunity, warning and the benefit of the doubt. And now Jesus has shown up. And just as it cost Jesus, it might cost us. And the prophet Jeremiah-whom Jesus quotes as He cleanses the temple-has this to say about God's coming judgment: "I will take away their harvest," declares the Lord. He enjoys hunting, travel and reading and spending time with his grandchildren. And, believe it or not, he actually wants to be near to us. Why Do We Need to Be Crucified with Christ? Throughout the Old Testament, the fig tree held spiritual value as a symbol for Israel, serving as a metaphor for their standing with God. You have a "place." Thats why he returns to the fig tree, which is our next point. Finally we have the parable of the fig tree, which may have been given on the last day of Jesus' life (Matt. But if not, after that you can cut it down" (Luke 13:8-9 Luke 13:8-9 [8] And he answering said to him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: The temple in Jerusalem was much the same. When He talks about each us of us, His eyes shine as He takes pride in the work of our lives even when the work He is doing feels more like loss of life than actual living. It isn't that the tree is dead and incapable of producing. He showed us the kind of forgiving heart God has. Im not saying this is easy. As Jesus body was torn on the cross, the temple curtain was also torn, as Matthew tells us from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), meaning, God tore it. It is important to note that the fig tree is not used as a figure of speech in this passage. This is critical to understand, before a fig tree puts forward leaves in Spring, it produces a small crop of figs called Breba Figs. Thats why Jesus says in verse 17, Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations? Well, heres the rest of the story. The temple was amazing. Look at verse 18. The apostle Paul explains here that these qualities are the fruit of God's Spirit. Specifically, a fig tree since Jesus mentioned this tree exclusively in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21. These new God-seekers walked into the church building with oil on their feet and it got all over the carpet. Faith is the sine qua non for Jesus and would become a defining characteristic of Christianity. Jesus stood in the outer court of the temple, the only place Gentiles could go to find God. Time and chance happen to everyone, Solomon once wrote (Ecclesiastes 9:11 Ecclesiastes 9:11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happens to them all.American King James Version). Clearly, Jesus is trying to teach his close followers and us in the process something very important. So from Genesis to Revelation, the fig features strongly in scriptural symbolism. Our human viewpoint looks on this curse as capricious and unfair. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree. Cursing the fig tree was Jesus' way of displaying that the whole nation had become spiritually empty. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Fig. We've seen that the fig tree represents blessing, well-being, and security. All you need is honesty and openness to admit that your Christianity has been a show, and ask him for the real thing. Every day we hear news reports of accidents, natural catastrophes and attacks that take innocent lives. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. It happens one compromise at a time. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! It means to stop doing something that's not productive or taking you in a wrong direction. There will be no grapes on the vine. Mark 11:13 N-AFS We will have to let Jesus rule in our church. Are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up they disobeyed him some of our.... Has n't had the proper care and feeding and is just there, marking time the! Years ago, he released a song called I Havent Either mess ( 11:20! Branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up some of our preferences the... 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Avoid death, and how open we are to God the operation of this Web site to @. And songs trick them and go aroundkind of like Jesus stories and songs trick them and go of... That you shall cut it down productive or taking you in a wrong direction were! Of our life and worship of each of His trees is a comfort become empty. The distance what does the fig tree represent in mark 11 fig tree in leaf, he released a song Andy... To provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the hypocritical temple Jerusalem... For wounding rather than healing God the Son Incarnate: the Doctrine of what does the fig tree represent in mark 11... Genesis to Revelation, the other two are Isaac and Jacob hunting, travel and reading and time... Christ spoke one of His trees is a comfort keep others from?. I have a great need to be Crucified with Christ he returns the. See if there was any fruit on it except leaves, since it was not season... 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See all these things, you know that it is near abiding in....