Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

Jesus cursed the Fig Tree (Mk.11.12-21) yet it 'was not the season for figs.' What's going on? As we will see, Mark had a specific purpose in mind for relating the narrative the way he has.

THE SEASON FOR FIGS?

Dr D

One day when Jesus and His disciples were out walking they came across a fig tree. The story is recounted in Mark Chapter 11, verses 12 to 21. Jesus was genuinely “hungry” (v.12), but there was nothing on it, only leaves. Jesus subsequently curses the fig tree. On the following morning Jesus and the disciples again passed by the fig tree and Peter exclaimed that the tree was withered “from the roots up” (v.20), in other words, total dead.

Ironically, as Mark says, this “was not the season for figs” (v.13). So, what is going on here? Why curse a tree for not having any fruit when it is not the season to bear fruit?

Mark is making a crucial point in the way he weaves the scriptural passages together. He does this by inserting the episode of the “Cleansing the Temple” (v’s 15-19) in between the fig tree narrative, for Mark resumes the narrative immediately after with Peter’s exclamation “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that you cursed has withered!” (v.22). In the episode of the “Cleansing of the Temple” Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those selling pigeons, accusing them of converting the “house of prayer” into a “den of robbers” (v’s 15-18).

In short, what Mark is doing here is pronouncing judgment on Israel because of its lack of fruitfulness. It is not producing “figs” in any season. The casual way in which the Temple is being treated is indicative of this. This is another example of what is called ‘the Markan sandwich,’ in which he weaves or embeds a narrative within another narrative in order to highlight a point. And the point here is that God’s people are supposed to be fruitful; even abundantly so.

The fig tree narrative remains, in this Gospel, an ongoing reminder to Jew and Gentile alike that believers are expected to produce good fruit - defined as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” in Galations 5.22-23, although we could add more from any scripture relating to Christian character and faithfulness.

The teaching on the fig tree echoes very much the original remarks of John the Baptist when he boldly exclaimed; “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance” (Luke 3.7-8). It seems that fruit was wanting indeed.

May we, as modern day, believers, take Mark’s words to heart, for the issue is not the fig tree or even its lack of figs, the issue is the perennial lack of fruitfulness in God’s people. Let us aim, therefore, to faithfully demonstrate the fruits expected of every Christian, and to seek God as to how best to use the gifts, talents, and abundant life He has graciously given us.