Saturday in the Word | Why Did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree?

During my self-imposed sabbatical, I’ve taken part in the healing ministry work provided by Soul Care. One of the features they offer is a Friday Check-In that allows participants to contemplate a Bible passage, journal about it, and engage with others who are on their own soul healing journey. For me, this regular weekly check-in has been a fruitful component of my soul recovery experience.

When we speak of the Human Soul, we are speaking of the deepest level of life and power in the human being.

Dallas Willard — Renovation of the Heart

This week’s passage is from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13 and focuses on Jesus’ teaching the Disciples about the importance of waiting and remaining watchful using a fig tree as an illustration. No doubt, it’s a passage that is likely familiar to you.

Mark 13:28-37 NIV

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’

We are encouraged to read or listen to the passage three times. After we’ve done that, we are encouraged to write down our responses to three questions that typically flow like this:

What stands out to you most? Is there a particular word or phrase?
As you read through it a second time… ask God, “to what area of my life does that particular word or phrase connect?”
And as you read a third time, be asking God, “Is there an invitation for me?” Is there a response of some kind that God is inviting you into?

Well, after meditating on this passage, my mind took me to the scene in Mark’s Gospel where Jesus curses a fig tree. Do you remember it?

Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

My guess is that this is also a passage you’ve encountered before either in your Bible reading, through a sermon at church, or perhaps even while watching The Chosen.

Jesus expected the fig tree to be fruitful. Upon finding it wasn’t, he cursed it. Why?

Jesus’ act of cursing the fig tree is a profound lesson about expectation, accountability, and the need for genuine faith. This incident reveals that Jesus sought fruit from the tree, which, despite its leaves, was barren.

The expectation of fruitfulness is crucial in biblical teaching. The fig tree, known for being a symbol of Israel, represented the people’s religious life. It had all the appearances of being healthy and promising, yet it yielded no fruit when Jesus approached it. This reflects a deeper spiritual reality: Jesus recognized that Israel, like the fig tree, had become outwardly religious but was lacking in true faith and righteousness.

Jesus cursing the fig tree is an act of judgment against unfruitfulness that visibly demonstrated His utter disappointment with the lack of spiritual fruit in Israel, both in the leaders of Israel and the people. Jesus uses the barren fig tree to show that those who do not bear fruit in their lives will face consequences, especially when they fail to respond to the grace and truth offered to them through Christ.

This event underscores the importance of being genuine in our faith. The Lord desires not just external appearances of piety but authentic lives that bear the fruits of the Spirit. To curse the fig tree highlights the seriousness of living a fruitful life rooted in Christ. When we are called to follow Jesus, we are expected to reflect His character and produce abundant fruit in every area of our lives. The fig tree’s barrenness serves as a warning for us as believers to ensure that our faith produces evidence of spiritual vitality.

Spiritual fruitfulness is a central theme in the New Testament, emphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects one’s faith through actions, character, and service. The concept of bearing fruit primarily signifies the visible evidence of a believer’s relationship with Christ and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

If we claim to be spiritually alive then there should be some evidence of it, no matter how great or how small.

The cursing of the fig tree also reflects Jesus’ embattled relationship with Israel, highlighting His expectation for authentic faith and true righteousness, illustrating His disillusionment with Israel’s religious leaders, serving as a warning of judgment for spiritual barrenness, and emphasizing God’s desire for genuine restoration.

Ultimately, this powerful passage emphasizes the tension between God’s holiness and His longing for a genuine, fruitful relationship with us, His followers.

For us, as believers and followers of Jesus, bearing good fruit spiritually means aligning our lives with Christ, demonstrating His character, living in obedience, serving others, and showing evidence of transformation in our actions. It is an essential aspect of our Christian faith, since Jesus Himself emphasized the crucial importance of fruitfulness in the lives of those who follow Him. Jesus desires that we not only look good on the outside but also bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, and other virtues in our lives, fitting for those who follow Him.

As lovers of Jesus, our overall goal is always to develop a deep, genuine relationship with Him that results in meaningful relationships and impactful lives. We are either pointing someone to Jesus or pushing someone away. The choice is ours.

Later in the same chapter, as they pass by the withered fig tree, Jesus takes the time to offer the Disciples a lesson on the power of prayer.

Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭20‬-‭25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Here, Jesus’ teaching on prayer serves as a timely reminder for all believers. He invites us to cultivate a bold and abiding faith in prayer, trusting in God’s ability to effect change and expecting His answers. Through prayer, we can bring our concerns to Him and believe in His transformative power, just as Jesus demonstrated in the moment with the fig tree.

Friend, I hope you’re enjoyed today’s installment of Saturday in the Word where we take the time to put some Bible on it! If you’re in a challenging season and your soul needs tending to, I hope you’ll check out what the beautiful believers at Soul Care have to offer.