Matthew 21:18-22

Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Why?

Why did Jesus cause the fig tree to wither, when He knew it was not the season for figs?

He chose to use His encounter with the fig tree as an opportunity to teach the disciples a lesson concerning the future judgment coming for this unbelieving generation of Israel by the power of God.

The tree

Mark says Jesus was hungry and looking for fruit on the tree. The tree had leaves, indicating that it was ready to produce fruit, but Jesus finds none

Mark notes that this was not the season for figs, so it was not surprising that the tree was without fruit

The fig tree is a prophetic representation of Israel

If the Lord was willing to condemn a fruit tree for failing to produce fruit out of season, how much more will He bring judgment against Israel for failing to show spiritual fruit in the face of clear evidence that Jesus was the Messiah?

The Miracle

Jesus then declares that this tree will never again produce fruit.

Jesus knew the tree wouldn't have fruit, so He must have orchestrated this moment to teach His disciples a lesson

Jesus condemned the fruitless tree as an picture of what would happen to this unbelieving generation of Israel

Mark 11:20

As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

As the tree lost nourishment from the roots in the ground, it began to die in keeping with Jesus' words.

The power of prayer

Upon seeing the withered tree, the disciples exclaimed that that the tree was dying. Their exclamation carried a tone of disbelief, which led Jesus to launch into a teaching on the power of prayer

When Jesus spoke his words of condemnation to the tree, His words had the power to wither the tree because they were consistent with God's will

Mark 11:22,23

And Jesus answered saying to them, “ Have faith in God. “ Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myeveningdevotional.substack.com/subscribe