Matthew 21:18-22

The Cursing of the Fig-Tree

Mark 11:12-14; Mark 11:20-24. St Mark places this incident before the "Cleansing of the Temple," see note Matthew 21:12.

19 a fig tree Rather, a single fig-tree.

found nothing thereon, but leaves only The fig-tree loses its leaves in the winter: indeed it looks particularly bare with its white naked branches. One species, however, puts forth fruit and leaves in the very early spring, the fruit appearing before the leaves. It was doubtless a fig-tree of this kind that Jesus observed, and seeing the leaves expected to find fruit thereon. At the time of the Passover the first leaf-buds would scarcely have appeared on the common fig-tree, while this year's ripe fruit would not be found till four months later.

The teaching of the incident depends on this circumstance (comp. Luke 13:6-9). The early fig-tree, conspicuous among its leafless brethren, seemed alone to make a show of fruit and to invite inspection. So Israel, alone among the nations of the world, held forth a promise. From Israel alone could fruit be expected; but none was found, and their harvest-time was past. Therefore Israel perished as a nation, while the Gentile races, barren hitherto, but now on the verge of their spring-time, were ready to burst into blossom and bear fruit.

presently=immediately; cp. French présentement.

the fig tree withered away From St Mark we gather that the disciples observed the effect of the curse on the day after it was pronounced by Jesus.