Thursday, January 12, 2012

Mark 11:12-14. Questions on Jesus and the fig tree. Can anyone makes some sense of this please?

Hi I am reading the New Testament at the moment. I have read the above passage about Jesus and the fig tree. Can anyone explain this one please. Is this story supposed to be taken literally?



The points I have are as follows



1/ Why was Jesus looking for figs out of season?



2/ Did the tree wither immediately or overnight? (Matthew 21:18-22 Jesus condemns the tree and it withers on the spot. Mark 11:20-21 the tree is not withered until the next day)



3/ Did Jesus come across this tree and curse it before going to the temple and turning over the tables or afterwards? Matthew has it as afterwards, Mark has it as before.



4/ Is this mentioned in Luke or John? I couldn't find it.



6/ What is the whole point of the story? It seems to be that Jesus is saying if you have faith you can do anything and all your prayers get answered. Was he using his faith to kill a tree because he was angry and to show off his power? Are *all* our prayers answered?



Thanks for answering

Mark 11:12-14. Questions on Jesus and the fig tree. Can anyone makes some sense of this please?
The bible claims two accounts of the incident and neither agrees on the order of the events. As to what the stories purpose was...scripturally it refers back to this..



"I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine. There will be no figs on the tree, and their leaves will wither. What I have given them will be taken from them." (Jeremiah 8:13 NIV)



His disappointment with the fig tree was his metaphorical parable of his disappointment with Israel.
Reply:its refering to us

jesus was saying that we cant be part time christians. we know that the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace patience goodness, kindness, gentleness and self control.

but hes saying that we cant act out of character just because of the natural circumstances. Our purpose stands fast no matter what. If we dont live for Him he doesnt bless us with abundance and our lives dont go as planned (like the tree)
Reply:There are some commentaries that have been written about that event and it's possible meanings or correlations to the nation of Israel.



http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/Jesus_C...



http://www.rationalchristianity.net/fig_...



http://www.christiancourier.com/articles...
Reply:The fig tree was in season but people just eat before he got to it and he found nothing left, then he cursed it , and made it neutral ,a tree that belong to every body ,and grows with out being cultivated
Reply:I sound nuts. But we had a fig tree in our garden it was living and my dad went and told it to die and now its dead.. Freaky. . I am Christian and so is he and he has so much faith..
Reply:It might be a symbol of us.That he will look at us and if we don't bear fruit he won't be happy.I think there is another scripture that says "if the fig tree dosn't bear fruit cut it down.I might be wrong.cheers
Reply:The figs are a metaphor.



"Figs" in that time was also a word for lumberjack.



Jesus needed some trees cut down to build him a sweet lookin' log cabin.
Reply:At the time a common metaphor for the Jewish people was a man with a fig-tree orchard.
Reply:I don't think you takr the bible litterally at all.
Reply:WIth regards to figs, are you a 'fruit', yourself?
Reply:4.) Luke 21

29And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

30When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.

31So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

32Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.





2.) Mark 11:20

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Reply:Christians must bear fruit or they are cursed. Bearing fruit comes from reading the Bible and praying. We should seek the baptism that Jesus preached (fire and power). Read the book of Acts. When the Holy Spirit lives inside you and you listen and obey him, you bear fruit.

Figs were out of season. The tree "spoke" to him saying it had figs (because it had leaves). He knew the tree would not bear fruit. There was a period of time between the cursing and the disciples noticed the tree was withered.
Reply:There are basically two crops of figs produced annually by the trees; the first ripe figs, or early figs which mature in June or early July (Isaiah 28:4; Jeremiah 24:2; Hosea 9;10) and the later figs, which make up the main crop, generally from August forward.



About February, the first fruit buds appear on the branches, preceding the leaves by about two months. Leaves usually don't show up until the final part of April or May. Matthew 24:32. So if the tree is in full leaf, it should also be bearing fruit.



The tree that Jesus cursed seems to have been abnormally early with leaves (it was Nisan 10 of the year 33). There was sound basis, then, for thinking it might also have unseasonably early fruit. The tree having nothing but leaves showed it was not going to produce any crop. It was, therefore, deceptive. (It must also be remembered that trees in Israel were taxed, so an unproductive tree not only failed to produce a crop, it unnecessarily cost the owner money). Jesus cursed it as unproductive, causing it to wither.



Fig trees were frequently used in prophecy; which is understandable considering the prominence it had in the agricultural lives of the people. It was vital to the food supply and hence a failed crop was calamitous. The nation of Israel was likened to two kinds of figs. Jeremiah 24:1-10.



Compare Matthew 7:19, Matthew 3;10; Matthew 13:6-9. Once you have read those, compare them with the pointed illustration of Matthew 21:33-46. Pay particular attention to verses 43 and 45 for the identification of the fig tree and the point of the story. A particular group was going to be rejected, cut down for its lack of productivity. Another nation would be given the opportunity to produce the fruitage - the Christian nation, the Israel of God. So the illustration and the event have both first century application and modern application.



Hannah J Paul
Reply:He caught sight of the tree, maybe he would have been lucky. He feels as if the leaves are early, the figs might be early too, but he is disappointed. The leaves on the fig tree have given it a deceptive appearance.



Afterwards, he goes to the temple and overturns the tables.



Jesus used this illustration to illustrate the bad spiritual state of the nation. the jewish nation was like an unproductive fig tree because it had a deceptive outward appearance, it didn't produce "godly foliage" and was rejected by Him. The nexy day after he cursed it signified the rejection of the jews as his chosen ppl. :]
Reply:The point of the story is that if Jesus finds us having no fruit to show Him when He comes, then we, like the fig tree will wither up and die. As Christians, we are given the truth and this truth is supposed to change not only our lives but those around us. That's why we are told to be perfect and holy in our sphere as God is perfect and holy in His sphere.



Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.



Lev 11:44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.



1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy



"It was not the season for ripe figs, except in certain localities; and on the highlands about Jerusalem it might truly be said, "The time of figs was not yet." But in the orchard to which Jesus came, one tree appeared to be in advance of all the others. It was already covered with leaves. It is the nature of the fig tree that before the leaves open, the growing fruit appears. Therefore this tree in full leaf gave promise of well-developed fruit. But its appearance was deceptive. Upon searching its branches, from the lowest bough to the topmost twig, Jesus found "nothing but leaves." It was a mass of pretentious foliage, nothing more." {Desire of Ages 58}



I used to live in a town where a man had 2 fig trees and it was the strangest thing to see fruit on the tree but no leaves. So I know that what is said in the above Bible commentary is true. And btw, Jesus cursed the tree on that day but it was withered by the next.
Reply:Good morning,



I have often wondered about the meaning of this incident, and you have nudged me toward thinking some more about it.



Two or three things before approaching this:



1) The Manifestation of God is sent by the Creator. If you accept as much as that, 'miracles' should be of relative importance to you. The Creator can do with His Creation whatever he pleases.



2) Corollary to 1): whether or not the miraculous incidents related in the Bible are all literally true is not an interesting question, and the answer to such a question, should one ever be forthcoming, can have no incidence or effect on your spiritual condition. The point of the miracles being related to us through the Bible is educational. Think of the 'miracles' as parables that were conveyed through actions, or reported as such... the point is for the seeker to reflect, and search for the truth, as you are doing.



3) The Manifestation of God performs miracles as a special grace to those who are present to witness or experience them. Since you are perusing Scripture so carefully, take note of any time Jesus referred to His miracles to convince people of His divine station!



So what about those friggin figs, already?



I think I see something, but I'm re-reading the references... and will write to you again soon.



Thanks!



(Later) The previous answerers have covered the issue well w.r.t. the 'deceptively green foliage' and the aging Mosaic civilization. As the Jewish establishment of the time was orderly and prosperous but spiritually sterile, it rejected the Manifestation. 'It was not the season' -the prescribed period for the dispensation of Moses was past, and was not to be renewed, but utterly replaced by the dispensation of Jesus Christ.



The 'curse' that befell the people for rejecting Him is like the curse a sick man can bring down upon himself by refusing the medecine prescribed by a wise and loving physician. It would be wrong-headed to see this the other way around -as the Creator cursing part of His Creation.
Reply:Why did Jesus curse that tree since, as Mark explains, “it was not the season of figs”? Well, when a fig tree bears leaves, normally it also produces early figs. It was unusual for a fig tree to have leaves at that time of year. But since it had leaves, Jesus rightly expected to find figs on it. The fact that the tree had borne only leaves meant that it would be unproductive. Its appearance was deceptive. Since fruit trees were taxed, an unfruitful tree was an economic burden and needed to be cut down.



Jesus used that unfruitful fig tree to illustrate a vital lesson regarding faith. The following day, his disciples were surprised to see that the tree had already withered. Jesus explained: “Have faith in God, All the things you pray and ask for have faith that you have practically received, and you will have them.” In addition to illustrating the need to pray in faith, the withered fig tree graphically showed what would happen to a nation lacking faith.



Some months earlier Jesus had compared the Jewish nation to a fig tree that had been unfruitful for three years and would be cut down if it remained unproductive. By cursing the fig tree just four days before his death, Jesus showed how the Jewish nation had not produced fruits befitting repentance and thus was in line for destruction. Though that nation, like the fig tree, superficially appeared healthy, a closer look revealed a lack of faith that culminated in the rejection of Jesus..



Like the unproductive fig tree that looked healthy, the Jewish nation had a deceptive outward appearance. But it had not produced godly fruitage, and it finally rejected Jehovah’s own Son. Jesus cursed the sterile fig tree, and on the following day, the disciples noticed that it had already withered. That dried-up tree aptly signified God’s forthcoming rejection of the Jews as his chosen people. Mark 11:20, 21.
Reply:From what I understand as I read it Jesus was hungry the next morning and as they approached the fig tree being that it was not in season (too early for figs) he hoped to find some fruit but realised it was too early they had not bloomed and was just telling his disciples that as life would have it we would have to wait for them to bloom, sure he could have made ripe figs appear but chose not to do it and maybe that's what he meant by saying "NO MAN EAT FRUIT OF THEE HEREAFTER FOREVER"Perhaps through their journey Jesus provided food for the deciples and wanted to teach them the lesson that they need to understand that it will have to be a process with time and seasons,to depend on the earth to prepare the figs and not his gifts.



Jesus was a teacher so I think he used the fig tree as an example to teach the disciples a lesson. I dont think he was looking for un seasoned fig per say.



again I think Jesus took this one fig tree and used it as a visual teaching tool to better help the disciples understand. my opinion was, it stated "it was in the way" and since it hadn't beared fruit due to the season he made it wither away so as to be removed from the path they traveled, just as we remove trees to make a road. there for I dont believe he cursed the tree. I can't explain why Mark and Matthew have differences as to before or afterwards, I guess since two different people are telling their version of the situation, they tell it as they believe it to be or how it was revealed to them. ?



I feel that Jesus was an exceptional teacher of things and I also feel that he was good at making a point...I don't feel that he was showing off his powers if that were the case I think God would have removed them form him. I believe the point of the story was to let them know that God gave us this earth and that we should learn to trust god's way for us and have faith that year after year all things to bloom will as they are made to do. It is written there for we should have faith. I hope this was of some help to you like Mark and Luke everyone understands things differently,maybe my perspective will shed some light for you.



Your Blessed!
Reply:MARK 11

12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

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.



THE FOLLOWING is from MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY:

I trust this helps:



Here is Christ's cursing the fruitless fig-tree. He had a convenient resting-place at Bethany, and therefore thither he went at resting-time; but his work lay at Jerusalem, and thither therefore he returned in the morning, at working-time; and so intent was he upon his work, that he went out from Bethany without breakfast, which, before he was gone far, he found the want of, and was hungry (Mark 11:12), for he was subject to all the sinless infirmities of our nature. Finding himself in want of food, he went to a fig-tree, which he saw at some distance, and which being well adorned with green leaves he hoped to find enriched with some sort of fruit. But he found nothing but leaves; he hoped to find some fruit, for though the time of gathering in figs was near, it was not yet; so that it could not be pretended that it had had fruit, but that it was gathered and gone; for the season had not yet arrived. Or, He found none, for indeed it was not a season of figs, it was no good fig-year. But this was worse than any fig-tree, for there was not so much as one fig to be found upon it, though it was so full of leaves. However, Christ was willing to make an example of it, not to the trees, but to the men, of that generation, and therefore cursed it with that curse which is the reverse of the first blessing, Be fruitful; he said unto it, Never let any man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever, Mark 11:14. Sweetness and good fruit are, in Jotham's parable, the honour of the fig-tree (Judges 9:11), and its serviceableness therein to man, preferable to the preferment of being promoted over the trees; now to be deprived of that, was a grievous curse. This was intended to be a type and figure of the doom passed upon the Jewish church, to which he came, seeking fruit, but found none (Luke 13:6,7); and though it was not, according to the doom in the parable, immediately cut down, yet, according to this in the history, blindness and hardness befel them (Romans 11:8,25), so that they were from henceforth good for nothing. The disciples heard what sentence Christ passed on this tree, and took notice of it. Woes from Christ's mouth are to be observed and kept in mind, as well as blessings.

miriam

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