18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:18-22 KJV)
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
Christ returned in the morning to Jerusalem (Mt 21:18). Some believe he left the city overnight because none of his friends dared to host him due to fear of the authorities. Yet, having work to do there, he returned. We must never be driven away from our duty by the malice of enemies or the unkindness of friends. Though he knew suffering awaited him in the city, he was not deterred. Paul followed his example when he went to Jerusalem, bound in the spirit (Acts 20:22).
As he went, he was hungry. He was a man and experienced the weaknesses of human nature. He was so focused on his work that he could not eat before setting out. His zeal for God’s house consumed him, and his sustenance was to do his Father’s will. Being poor, he had no immediate provision and was willing to eat green, raw figs for breakfast when he should have had something better.
He approached a fig tree expecting fruit because it had leaves, but finding no figs, he sentenced it to perpetual barrenness – “Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.” Christ hungered so he could use the moment to curse and wither the barren fig tree, showing his justice (Mt 21:19) and power in an instructive way. All of Christ’s previous miracles benefited people, demonstrating his grace and blessing. Now, to show that all judgment is committed to him, he gives a glimpse of his wrath. However, he does not direct it at a person, for the great day of his wrath has not yet come, but at a tree as a symbolic lesson. The message aligns with the parable of the fig tree (Mt 24:32; Lu 13:6).
This cursing of the barren fig tree represents the state of hypocrites. The figs may rightfully be expected from fig trees that have leaves. Christ expects true godliness from those who profess it. Many claim to be alive in faith but lack its true power. Those who have the outward appearance of godliness but no real fruit will be judged. The sin of barrenness is rightly punished with barrenness—let no fruit grow on you ever again. A false profession often withers in this world as the effect of Christ’s curse. Hypocrites may look promising for a time, but without genuine faith, their pretense eventually fades.
It also represents the state of Israel. They were like a fig tree planted in Christ’s path as a church. Christ came among them seeking fruit, desiring evidence of true faith. Yet, they disappointed him. They called Abraham their father but did not do his works. They awaited the Messiah but rejected him when he came. The judgment he pronounced meant that as a nation, they would no longer bear spiritual fruit. After they rejected Christ, they deteriorated further, experiencing blindness and hardness of heart until they were no longer a people. Their temple, priesthood, sacrifices, and festivals fell away like autumn leaves. Their fig tree withered swiftly after they cried, “His blood be on us and our children!” The Lord was righteous in his judgment.
See the power of Christ. The disciples marveled at how quickly the fig tree withered (Mt 21:20). They saw no visible cause for its withering—it was a secret work, like a worm at the root. The entire tree withered instantly. Gospel curses are particularly fearful because they work silently yet effectively.
Christ empowered his disciples through faith to do similar works (Mt 21:21-22). He had said (John 14:12), “Greater works than these shall you do.” Doubt is the great enemy of faith. If you have faith and do not doubt, you can accomplish great things. The phrase about moving mountains was a common expression among the Jews for solving great difficulties. Faith in God’s promises makes the impossible possible.
The way to exercise this faith is through prayer. “All things whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Faith is the soul, and prayer is the body—together they form a complete spiritual practice. True faith leads to prayer, and prayer is ineffective without faith. The promise is broad and generous—”all things whatsoever you ask.” This covers every need, whether general or specific. Although people often believe in God’s promises in general, they hesitate when it comes to specific requests. To encourage faith, Christ emphasizes that everything asked in faith will be granted.