Project 119: Mark 11:12-33

 |  Project 119  |  Dr. Kely Hatley

“The Withered Fig Tree”

Today’s reading includes a very odd story in it: the withered fig tree. Many people say that this Jesus’ behavior to the fig tree is uncharacteristic for Him when compared with what we know of Jesus. When studying for this devotion I read several commentaries regarding the fig tree and Jesus’ action against it. The Broadman Bible Commentary gives the explanation for this story as a comparison of the nation of Israel to the fig tree. In verse 13 we read that the fig tree was “in leaf.” The fact that the fig tree already had leaves on it means that it had already produced some fruit. Fig trees form their first figs even before the leaves sprout and grow.

Perhaps this is why Jesus approached the tree hoping that some figs were on it. Upon finding none, Jesus “cursed” the tree.

Scholars offer the symbolic comparison of the fruitless fig tree to the people of the nation of Israel because of their inability to recognize their Messiah in their midst. Additionally, they seemed to live by God’s laws and worship Him through the temple, but like the fig tree, they were not producing any evidence that they were devoted to the Lord.

“The fig tree gave an appearance of health and usefulness, like Jerusalem with its temple, the center of the worship of God. Actually the religious life of Israel was barren and unreceptive.  Was not Israel like the fig tree? Let it die! It has forfeited its religious leadership.” 1

Does this story not strike us to the heart? It is easy for us to sometimes go through the motions of our Christian lives without really producing the fruit that a fully devoted follower of Jesus will produce. Galatians 5:22 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control.” During this Lenten season, take the time to bare your soul before God and pray for Him to help you move past the “motions” of Christian life to a deeper more substantive devotion to the Lord that will produce the fruit of a Christian life in every aspect of your surroundings and circles of influence.

1Clifton J. Allen, The Broadman Bible Commentary, Volume 8 Matthew-Mark (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1969), 356.

Mark 11:12-33 (ESV):

12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry.13 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. 14 And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

15 And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 16 And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. 17 And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” 18 And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. 19 And when evening came they went out of the city.

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 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.24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 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.”

27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him,28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”