The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 21 Part 4 The Barren Fig Tree

After His triumphal entry and cleansing the Temple of God at Jerusalem, Jesus healed all the afflicted ones who came to Him for help.

He accepted the loud "Hosannas" of the children and with His disciples, returned to Bethany for the night.

Matthew 21:18  Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 

Jesus went to and from Jerusalem each day.

In the evening He went to Bethany, or to some part of the Mount of Olives, and there abode all night. 

Jesus then returned at dawn to Jerusalem, and taught in the temple.

Matthew tells us that Jesus was hungry, and we may tend to overlook this detail.

Each of the gospels record notes of manhood in Jesus that prove He was a man like us, with the exception of having no sin nature.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

John's gospel tells us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Word of God.

Therefore, John tells us that the "Word" which is Jesus Christ, was made flesh and lived on earth for 33 1/2 years.

Therefore, Paul tells us that "God was manifest in the flesh" and that He was born as a man (See 1 Timothy 3:16; Philippians 2:5-8).

Jesus was born as a helpless infant and was lovingly and rightly raised by Joseph and Mary. 

He grew from a babe to a toddler, into childhood, then into an adolescent and young adult (See Luke 2:7; 2:40; 2:57). 

He reached the age of thirty which is the age of full manhood in the ancient culture.

Hebrews 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Jesus experienced the gamut of human emotions, like we do, with one notable exception.

Our emotions, will and minds are corrupted by the fall, but Jesus' will, mind and emotion had no sin marring them.

Thus, Jesus experienced a right anger toward hard hearted Jews who did not want Him to heal a man whose hand was seriously maimed (See Mark 3:5).

Jesus experienced true grief and sorrow over the death of His friend Lazarus (See John 11:35).

Jesus experienced weariness from constant ministry to others (See Matthew 8:24; John 4:6).

Jesus experienced hunger and thirst like we do (See Matthew 4:2;  John 4:6-7). 

Jesus was moved with compassion on at least five occasions, because He saw lost souls as sheep without a good shepherd to care for them (See Matthew 9:36). 

He saw the multitudes of sick, afflicted and was moved to heal them all (See Matthew 14:14). 

Matthew 21:18-20  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! 

The context is set to help us understand the barren fig tree that Jesus cursed.

He was hungry and figs were a staple food containing necessary minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that promote heart, digestive and bone health.

From a distance, Jesus saw that it was a goodly tree with heavy foliage that normally indicated the presence of fruit.

Mark 11:13  And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 

Mark's gospel tells us that the time of the figs had not yet arrived. 

In that climate, at that time of year, figs were indeed ripe, but the harvest time had not yet come.

Therefore, Jesus rightly expected He would find fruit to eat.

However, when Jesus arrived, instead of finding figs He found that this tree was barren.

What we have here is more than just an account of a tree cursed by Jesus for its lack of fruit, and that swiftly withered and died.

In scripture, a fig tree is used in several symbolic applications to teach us about spiritual realities.

Let us look back at Matthew seven to see how Jesus applied teaching about trees and fruit bearing.

Matthew 7:15-20  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 

Jesus used trees to teach us about new life in Christ versus those who profess to be Christians but live like the world.

First, notice how this teaching begins with warning against false prophets and false teachers.

Who did Jesus deal with on a constant basis?

Scribes and Pharisees who propagated the false, dead religion of Judaism and those who elevated man-made traditions higher than the authority of God's inspired scripture. 

Jesus used two kinds of trees to illustrate how to distinguish between a born again Christian and one who has made a false profession of faith.

A good tree brings forth good fruit and this pictures a genuine believer in Christ who lives in accord with Christ's commands.

A bad tree produces bad fruit and this pictures religious hypocrites like the scribes, Pharisees and some priests.

Their fruit is bad because their heart is evil and in need of the regenerating work of God's Spirit.

It is through this lens that we must view the fig tree that Jesus cursed.

From external appearances, this was a mature, healthy fig tree with an abundant canopy of foliage.

Upon closer examination, it is revealed that this tree has no fruit to offer anyone.

It is a tree that pictures external religion, like those Jesus condemned in Matthew six through seven.

The barren fig tree had all the appearances of a healthy productive tree, but when it was examined it failed the Lord's testing gaze.

Isaiah 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 

Isaiah prophesied of religious hypocrites who draw near to God with their mouths by saying the right religious phrases.

The problem is that their hearts are far from God and they yield to the barren traditions of men instead of submitted to the revealed truth from God.

A religious hypocrite has the external appearance of being an upright person, but inwardly, their hearts are still corrupted by sin and hypocrisy (See Matthew 23:28).

The fig tree Jesus cursed, pictures religious hypocrites who maintain an outward form of godliness, but they deny the power of Christ and His cross to save sinners from eternal condemnation.

He will give to every man according to his works and the reward of a religious hypocrite will be hearing the Lord of Glory say to them "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity; I never knew you!"

Mark 11:20-21  And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21  And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. 

Mark's gospel adds that the fig tree that Jesus pronounced judgment on, withered from the roots upwards.

There are some important applications of this barren fig tree for our lives.

First, when we exercise repentant faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God regenerates our heart, and gives us a new heart and spirit as promised in Ezekiel 11:19-21; 18:31-32; 36:26-28).

Second, when we are born again, God has good works for His kingdom for us to do (See 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 2:11-15; 1 Timothy 6:17-19; 2 Timothy 2:21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 10:24).

Third, God often uses fruit bearing as a metaphor to teach us that we must seek to be productive in His kingdom work (See Psalm 1:3; Luke 8:13; Colossians 1:10; Titus 3:14.

Fourth, the Spirit of God seeks to bear or produce His fruit in us, so that we might love and serve God rightly, and learn how to love and serve others (See Galatians 5:22-23).

John 15:5-8  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

Fifth, Jesus taught us that He is the life giving vine and we are branches grafted in by His Spirit. 

In order to sustain our spiritual life, each branch must be connected to Christ, the vine.

Those who truly belong to Christ produce fruit and those vines which look healthy but have no fruit, will be gathered and burned.

This is a parallel to the fig tree that pictures a religious hypocrite. 

It looks like a good tree until the Master inspects it and finds no fruit.

Sixth, Jesus our Lord will inspect our lives and just as He anticipated finding figs on this tree, so He will anticipate finding spiritual fruit in our lives.

Those who profess faith in Christ but are barren of any fruit ,or lack evidence that the Spirit of God is at work in their heart, will receive the curse of barrenness.

This is the sad end of a religious hypocrite and I should know because I used to be one.

Before God saved me, I had an outward form of religion, but I knew my heart was black on the inside. 

No matter how hard I tried, I could not make myself a better person.

When I heard the gospel of Christ, I repented and called upon Christ to save me, His Spirit changed me as the scripture says, and I began to learn how to walk in newness of life.

Therefore, if you are reading this lesson and you know you have not been born again, I ask you to repent of your sins and call upon Jesus to save you because all who call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.

Bob