Poor Fig Tree
Gramps49
Shipmate
in Kerygmania
In the discussion of the humanity of Jesus, there was a brief discussion on Jesus cursing the fig tree.
A few thoughts
I had never been able to fully understand the story.
For one, it seems so out of character for Jesus to curse a plant. Maybe humans, but why a plant.
Second, the fig tree would not have had figs early in the year. If anything, they would have been appearing in March or April and not be fully ripe until August. Wouldn't they have been too green to ear? Myself, I do not like figs so I am not certain how they would have tasted if they were even ripe, let alone green/
Third, for the longest time I had thought maybe the tree was too young to bear fruit. Not the case. The story does not mention the age of the tree. In fact they can liver for over 200 years and grow to 50 feet high. They also thrive in rocky soil. They really are a pretty hardy plant.
I have also found that figs throughout the Bible came to represent Isreal. But I do not want to imply an antisemitic message. I think the story can also represent us.
So, how do you view the story
A few thoughts
I had never been able to fully understand the story.
For one, it seems so out of character for Jesus to curse a plant. Maybe humans, but why a plant.
Second, the fig tree would not have had figs early in the year. If anything, they would have been appearing in March or April and not be fully ripe until August. Wouldn't they have been too green to ear? Myself, I do not like figs so I am not certain how they would have tasted if they were even ripe, let alone green/
Third, for the longest time I had thought maybe the tree was too young to bear fruit. Not the case. The story does not mention the age of the tree. In fact they can liver for over 200 years and grow to 50 feet high. They also thrive in rocky soil. They really are a pretty hardy plant.
I have also found that figs throughout the Bible came to represent Isreal. But I do not want to imply an antisemitic message. I think the story can also represent us.
So, how do you view the story
Comments
When I discovered that (through an agricultural site about fig cultivation), it made it a lot easier for me to understand the story. Jesus is hungry. To a hungry man, even a breba fig is better than nothing. He goes to check out the nearest fig tree, which ought to have at least one or two, given the time of year. Nada. At which point he says, "Μηκέτι εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ἐκ σοῦ μηδεὶς καρπὸν φάγοι." That is, "Nevermore into eternity from you nobody fruit he-would-eat." The verb is an optative, which is pretty rare in the New Testament.
I think (subject to correction from wiser heads) this can be translated either as a prediction (future tense in English) or as a curse (some kind of imperative). Of course the translations tend to go for the curse form, since one rule of hermeneutics is to take the more difficult reading--and having Jesus curse a tree is certainly difficult! But there's nothing magic about the rules of hermeneutics that guarantees this is the correct interpretation, it's just a rule of thumb people use to play fair with the difficulties of the text. So we at least need to keep both possibilities in mind.
So if it's a prediction, that fits neatly with the agricultural facts. If it's a curse, it's--well, almost unnecessary, given the biology. Either way, I doubt Mark would have recorded the incident at all if it had no more meaning to it than the fate of a tree. I suspect the whole thing is an acted-out parable having to do with the fate of the city that is even now preparing to reject its Messiah. And just possibly ties up with the words of Jesus to the women on the way to the cross, "For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” I mean, his mind seems to have been running on trees that week--gee, I wonder why.
Then Jesus entered the temple* and drove out all who were selling and buying in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves. He said to them, ‘It is written,
“My house shall be called a house of prayer”;
but you are making it a den of robbers.’
The blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the amazing things that he did, and heard* the children crying out in the temple, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David’, they became angry and said to him, ‘Do you hear what these are saying?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Yes; have you never read,
“Out of the mouths of infants and nursing babies
you have prepared praise for yourself”?’
He left them, went out of the city to Bethany, and spent the night there.
In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’
"Matthew is using the Marcan account as the basis of story, but as elsewhere in his Gospel, he writes the material so that his message comes through clearly. It will help us in understanding his message if we compare his account with Mark's, not in an attempt to harmonize them, but rather to see the distinctive emphases he is making. He relocates the story of the cursing of the fig tree (Matt. 21:18-22) after the incidents in the temple (contrast Mark 11:12-14, 20-25). He also deletes the references to Jesus going in and out of Jerusalem (21:11-12, 15) so that the story is presented as a single unit within the ministry of Jesus."
From
Life On The Road: The Gospel Basis For A Messianic Lifestyle, Professor Athol Gill, 1992, Herald Press ISBN 0-8361-2588-1
Even though the cursing is rather baffling in itself, I find it easier to understand as a component of a story, rather than an incident with just an internal meaning.
I'm going to throw in here that we don't know this, though I believe it is the presently popular view. It might even be that Mark uses a stripped-down version of Matthew's--or, of course, that they were writing independently, or following another source we don't have. Arguably this could be its own thread.
Carry on...
However, it makes a lot of sense and provides the best insight into understanding the intents of the authors of the Gospels IMHO. I value this scholarship as well as knowledge about cultures (and plants), geography, archaeology, lierary styles and genres etc. that informs our understanding of Biblical texts.
I am glad you mentioned the Lukan parable of the fig tree @LatchKeyKid.
It is different in a couple of ways. First, it is a spoken parable. The stories in Mark and Matthew are, as @Lamb Chopped mentioned action parables, Using what LC relayed about how a fig tree has two types of figs: the good figs and the berpa figs. If a tree does not produce the berpa figs, the tree will not produce the good figs either. In this case, the tree had not produced fruit for over three years. Being the grandson of an apple orchardist, I know he would have cut down a barren apple tree right away. It would seem if this tree had not born fruit for three years it is pretty clear this tree is never going to bear fruit ever again.
Yet Luke has the orchardist stepping in, telling the landlord to let him fertilize it to see if he can get it to produce in the next season. Seems like Luke is saying there still might be hope for this tree.
Going back to the Mark and Matthew stories there are also a couple of differences. Mark has Jesus approaching the tree before they entered Jerusalem, before he cleansed the temple. Matthew has him approaching the tree after he had already entered Jerusalem and cleansed the temple. Mark indicates the tree withered overnight. Matthew says the tree withered before the disciples' eyes.
To the question of which story was written first, it is generally assumed Mark was written first. Textual Critics will point out both Matthew and Luke used Mark as a source for their gospels. There is no indication Mark knew of the gospels of Matthew and Luke. It is also assumed the shortest gospel is written first. The other two gospels are somewhat longer because they included other sources.
Still, we have two gospels saying the tree withered and died. Luke, though, indicates in spite of the tree being barren for three years, there is still hope.
I favor the Lukan account.
It is interesting that Luke, for which prayer is a much repeated theme, does not use it. Perhaps he did not like it because it is different from the caring view of God that his other encouragements to prayer are like.
The accounts can both be true, of course; He could curse one tree and also tell a parable about a fictional tree.
I would like to hear how this is about prayer. I never saw it that way. If anything, I thought it was about the chosen people not bearing the fruit God intended, therefore he is about to do a new thing. As I said, there are many places in the Bible where the people of Isreal are symbolized as figs or a fig tree.
Just two examples:
“When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.” Hosea 9:10
“Judah and Israel lived in safety, every man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” 1 Kings 4:25
(I could give more, but it is late here, and I should be going to bed.)
The three different stories, to me, are presenting the truth that if the chosen people--in this case, us, don't produce the fruit God intends, there will be consequences. Only the Luke rendition seems to indicate there is still some hope--which in itself is unusual for Luke, considering a number of places he relates where things turn out badly.
Going to turn in now. See you all tomorrow. Might be snowed in tomorrow. Forcast is for five inches of snow, maybe more.
Mark 11:20-26 ( the second part of the sandwich)
In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ 22Jesus answered them, ‘Have* faith in God. 23Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. 24So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received* it, and it will be yours. ‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’*
Matthew has
In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’
Yes, as @Gramps49 notes, the fig tree is often a metaphor for Israel.
It's always been stressed whenever I've heard it though that the implication and application is directed at 'us' - to ensure that we take care to bear fruit ourselves not to point the finger at anyone else.
I think the Curse interpretation is favoured by the subsequent - or immediate - withering.
Where that leaves us in terms of any kind of useful message from the story I am completely in the dark about.
I think the Gospel writers included the story in their own ways because that suits their intent.
The naivety of the disciples is a major theme in Mark. It takes them a long time to understand who Jesus is and what being a disciple means. I think that Mark is telling his intended audience, not that the first disciples are particularly stupid, but that's what it's like for you to be a disciple. Jesus has a hard job opening your eyes.
The road to Emmaus story is a similar "slow to learn" teaching. Today there is still the desire to be the greatest in the kingdom to be overcome.
Ok. But it's there, so how do we deal with it?
I think at the time Jesus dealt with the fig tree there were still righteous people in Isreal, but it was the whole of the nation that was being addressed. Likewise, there is no question of many of us trying to stay on the right side of God, but there are many who have gone off the rails to use your term. Consider how many have bought into Christian nationalism. I think the story applies to those folk more than us as individuals.
My view is that the various parts of the Bible were written with audiences in mind different from us. We can read/wrestle with them to get insight, understanding, or inspiration.
I was raised in the Open Brethren and left when I was 16. The Song Of Songs was used quite often. I haven't heard it used in any other denominations I've been in. I rather like it, but I don't know if I can identify the principles at stake in it.
Well, there are arguably different interpretations of it, not that they need be mutually exclusive…
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/songofsongs/0
It tended to crop up in some of our songs or be alluded to as an allegory for divine love on the one hand or some kind of sex manual on the other.
I appreciate the link, I've just been reading St. Bernard's sermons on the Song of Songs.
(Full disclosure- I was privileged to know, slightly, Sister Edmée.)
This was a Hymn sung frequently (a cappella) at The Lord's Supper.
The deep, sweet well of love!
The streams on earth I've tasted,
More deep I'll drink above:
There to an ocean fullness
His mercy doth expand,
And glory glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
2 Oh, I am my Beloved's,
And my Beloved's mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner
Into his "house of wine!"
I stand upon his merit,
I know no other stand,
Not ev'n where glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's land.
3 The bride eyes not her garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of Grace
Not at the crown he giveth,
But on his pierced hand
The Lamb is all the glory
Of Immanuel's land.
Here it is a metaphor, but I'm sure we young people heard the Bible passages as a romantic poem.
I understand that Judaism treats the SoS as a metaphor.
A search showed that some types of fig leaves are edible, but I also found this
"Yes, fig leaves can be eaten raw, but they may have a bitter taste and should be prepared properly for consumption."
So I wouldn't blame anyone for being that picky.
Oh my God I had that for years and years. It started when I hit adolescence – before that I could totally eat all of those raw with no problem – and in the last couple of years I can eat them raw again with no problem. It would make the roof of my mouth at the back, what’s called the soft palate, itch uncontrollably. Cooked they were all fine. Basically most crunchy fruits and vegetables. Some things, like raw broccoli, would bother it some, but not as badly as the others. My personal hypothesis has been pectin, but that’s only a guess. You’re the first person I’ve met who has also had this. But again it came on for reasons I’ve never known about the time of adolescence because in childhood I could eat the stuff with no problem and then just a couple of years ago, I’m 57 now, the problem went away.
I heard that about the original white settlers in Greenland. They starved to death amid plenty, because they wouldn't eat what the land (and sea) offered.
As a fish myself (see avatar) I regard this tangent with mixed feelings - I do not desire to be eaten, but would still like, for egotistical reasons, to be regarded as delicious. However from a hostly perspective I wish to gently steer back towards fig-tree-related issues.
Gentle Submersion of Hostly Fin
How about Micah 7? This seems the most directly relevant OT passage - the figure is craving early figs but doesn't find any - the "faithful have fled from the land" - yet this is the time of God's coming. Verse 6 also seems to have inspired one of Jesus's more difficult sayings. Is this the chapter that Jesus is referencing with the fig-tree "acted parable"?
The discussion about how edible the leaves are etc. completely misses what Mark and Matthew want their audiences to learn about.
Or, I’d say, more importantly, what Jesus wanted (and wants) His audience to learn about. Regardless, what would you say that lesson is?
Could you please expand your thoughts?
Mark 11:20-26 (NRSV)
In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter remembered and said to him, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.’ Jesus answered them, ‘Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, “Be taken up and thrown into the sea”, and if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
(This is followed by a sentence reminiscent of part of The Lord's Prayer in Matthew, and so Matthew may have taken out this sentence from Mark, or relocated and rephrased it.)
‘Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.’
Matthew has (NRSV)
In the morning, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the side of the road, he went to it and found nothing at all on it but leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again!’ And the fig tree withered at once. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither at once?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea”, it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.’
Post Script
(Matthew has edited the Markan "sandwich" account of
1. Curse the fig tree one day
2. Cleanse the Temple of the moneychangers' den of thieves.
3. Find that the fig tree withered the following day
Conclusion: Teaching about prayer
Matthew has placed the whole fig tree event, including the teaching about prayer, the day after the cleansing of the temple