Bad responses on YA don't make me this mad: Why did Jesus kill that fig tree?

Matthew 21:19 "And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."

Bad responses on YA don't make me this mad: Why did Jesus kill that fig tree?
We read about how Jesus looked at a fig tree for figs and there were none there; there was only leaves on the tree. With that Jesus cursed the fig tree and the next morning the apostles noticed that the tree that Jesus cursed dried up and was dead. This seems to be a strange event. First, because Jesus seemed to be expecting something and it did not happen. And second; because Jesus seems to takes out his disappointment on a tree. But we must remember Jesus did things to give us illustrations.



The first thing that Jesus did when he came to Jerusalem and the temple was to look around. Mark 11: 11; “And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things”. The first thing that Jesus did with the fig tree was to look for fruit.



Often in the Bible the fig tree is used to represent the nation of Israel (cf. Hos 9:10; Nah 3:12; Zech 10:2). The tree was fully in leaf, but it lacked fruit. So too was the nation. Its spiritual center, the temple, was rife with religious activity but it bore no fruit.



In the Old Testament God used the blooming of Aaron’s rod at the beginning of the levitical priesthood in Num. 17:8. This rod was a type of Christ and it bloomed with flowers and almonds. This was a sign of blessing. However this time it’s the opposite. The temple was ripe for judgment and, like the tree, it would never be revived. Both the temple and its sacrificial system were finished. Jesus would build a new one (Heb 12:22-24).
Reply:"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." [We understand that He wasn't mad at a tree; He was teaching a lesson about that society that rebelled against everything God stood for] Immediately the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so soon?" So Jesus answered and said to them, …" Matt 21:19 -20



That is our problem. We don't have that kind of faith today. God is very unreal to us. Most of you watching this watch all kinds of other stuff on the Internet, and on television and in the movies—often rotten, degenerate stuff that ought not be seen, and pictures that put into your mind images of illicit sex and violence, and people taking God's name in vain and using foul language in ways one should never have to hear or see. These things now come pouring right into your living room, making it hard for you to think about the true God—the invisible God of power, the God of the Universe—or to have your mind on Him, because your mind has been seared by all of these influences that are extant in our society.



Matt. 21:21-22



...."Assuredly, I say to you, [But] if you have faith and do not doubt if you have faith and do not doubt [if God can become more real to you], you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."



If you ask believing, you have to have faith! Put your faith and trust in God. Read the Psalms over and over. Read the New Testament over and over. Have faith in the great God who gives us life and breath—and in the promises He has made.
Reply:awww the poor tree



"And presently the fig tree withered away."



haha that sounds like the author of the bible was a bit sad about it too:)
Reply:I think it is a perfect illustration of the fact that Jesus was a MAN....and subject to very HUMAN fits of anger.....He was not a GOD....no matter how much Christians would claim it was so. What I think is even more telling is the attempts to justify this " tantrum " in the passages that follow....
Reply:Jesus was hungry and it had no fruit on it

So he cursed it

I really think the read deal was that whatever does not bear fruit it is of no value or worth, so It might as well be dead
Reply:Maybe there is no real answer to this. Maybe there is no significance to the passage.
Reply:The fig tree represents the nation of Israel.



Even though God spent years nurturing it, when its' season finally arrived, it failed to bear any good fruit.



A fig tree that is fruitless is a waste of good ground. So was Israel.



About the only thing it is good for is firewood. Israel was destroyed by fire 40 years (one biblical generation or season) later, after most of the Jews still failed to accept the good news of their salvation in Christ.



Don't expect anything else to come of Israel, either. When it was destroyed in 70 AD, it was pulled out "at the roots" and the Jewish faith no longer has any standard system of typical beliefs, any official place in which to practice them, or any valid reason to do so.
Reply:The bible's fiction. Don't take it literally. It wasn't written by educated horticulturists anyway.
Reply:symbolism



the fig tree in the OT usually repesented Israel. a fig tree bears fruit and leaves at the same time, and so if it's only bearing leaves and no figs, than it has a serious problem. the lesson is have the substance, not just the flash.
Reply:haha.

maybe.

it was in his way?

as it says

and he was to lazy to go around it?
Reply:godhatesfigs.com
Reply:By causing the tree to wither, Jesus is providing for his disciples an object lesson on their need to have faith in God. As he states: “All the things you pray and ask for have faith that you have practically received, and you will have them.” What an important lesson for them to learn, especially in view of the awesome tests that are soon to come! Yet, there is another connection between the withering of the fig tree and the quality of faith.



The nation of Israel, like this fig tree, has a deceptive appearance. Although the nation is in a covenant relationship with God and may outwardly appear to observe his regulations, it has proved to be without faith, barren of good fruitage. Because of lack of faith, it is even in the process of rejecting God’s own Son! Hence, by causing the unproductive fig tree to wither, Jesus is graphically demonstrating what the end result will be for this fruitless, faithless nation.
Reply:I know. He killed a fig tree because it didn't have fruit and it wasn't in season! Not smart at all.
Reply:he was using to teach. the tree is like a christian person if they don't bear fruits of the spirit they will wither away in their walk with the lord hope this helps
Reply:Seems quixotic to me, too. Always has.
Reply:And hairless dogs too.
Reply:He was illustrating that if no one bears fruit (spiritual fruit) will wither and die. Remember faith without works is dead.
Reply:Ray and Scott, check out Mark11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. .... 20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.



Same story, different version. In this one, Jesus blames the tree and curses it for not having any fruit--yet it couldn't have had any, because it wasn't in season! I bet even Jewish children knew when fig trees bore fruit and could have told him not to bother looking for any. Jesus was an idiot.



As an allegory, the story fails. If the tree had been in season and yet still had no fruit, it would have been the perfect example of Israel not bearing any spiritual fruit when it should have. As it is, Jesus seems to be saying that he will punish the Jews for something over which they have no control, just as he punished the fig tree for what it could not accomplish.



Besides, if he wanted figs that badly, couldn't he have bought dried figs in the market, or caused the fig tree to miraculously bear fruit out of season? Hey, that would have made a great allegory! It would have shown that Jesus would have compassion on the unfruitful Jews and cause them to bear the spiritual fruit that he wanted them to.
Reply:The fig tree that is in leaf should also bear fruit. This one did not. Jesus used itt as a metaphor to those who seemingly are religious yet do not bear druit of thier walk in the Lord. It is a warning to be what you seem or face the consequences. God does not wish to punish read thire chapter of Hebrews but if man hardens their heart He has no other recourse.
Reply:The fig tree did not bare any fruit at all. They gave it extra time, fertilizer, and water. Still the fig tree produced no fruit with all it was given. the time frame of not in season showed that even when in the off season of our life we should show some discarded remains around where we are that our faith has something to show for it. For we sin and are not in season we should still be able to produce some fruit at our best point. Jesus , I'm sure looked at the ground and saw no rotting remains that the fig tree produced something worth while.



It is a warning to man to be productive with the time and talents God gave us, God's abundant provisions for us are expected to produce fruit to feed the starving ( those who do not know God) nourishment towards God's kingdom.
Reply:It's supposed to be representative of people who claim to be Christians, but don't bear any fruit "but leaves only". It shows that Jesus has no use for people like that.
Reply:Jesus always talked in illustrations. First he said give it water and food and kindness. Then when he came back still no food.

In other words no good works. Many or should say most people you talk to believe they are saved. Yet Jesus said, "those being saved are few."

People believe like SAtan and his wicked friends and Adam and Eve that they wouldn't really die.

Maybe Satan really believed God wouldn't kill them for anything. But they did grow old and die.

That was a very powerful lesson for us. If we have an opportunity to do good works, but we do something selfish.

Then another opportunity comes up and again we do the selfish thing. Would God really grant us eternal life in his kingdom? Or would we die like the fig tree?
Reply:Amazing!!!! JC curses a tree which is a stupid thing to do.



So, the people who think he was more than an ordinary human

have to back-pedal and invent something "spiritually profound" about it.



How completely ridiculous...lol.
Reply:Because it wasn't bearing fruit. Jesus had his seasons a bit messed up and forgot it was Spring and fig trees NEVER bear fruit in the spring.
Reply:Jesus ate meat too!
Reply:I don't know if you're joking or not. I'm going to answer this seriously, please forgive me if you're joking. He was trying to make a point to his disciples that if something does not bear fruit (ie "fruits of the spirit) they are less than useless to him. Something about faith without works.. can't remember it all. Haven't read the bible in far too long...
Reply:For everything there is a season. It just so happened that was not fig season, damn it.
Reply:he couldn't see the fig in the fog.



it's just more inconsistent nonsense is the buybull.



if the darn tree wasn't bearing fruit, jesus would've healed it and made it well. right? why destroy when you can create, heal and make things well?



see what i mean? that stupid cult book is FULL of contradictory BS... chuck it out the window!