Why did JESUS curse the Fig tree?

[ray Marshall]

Why, in your opinion or Biblical teaching did JESUS curse the Fig Tree?
JESUS'S reason for cursing the Fig Tree in my opinion may have been because of Adam & Eve sewing fig leaves to cloth themselves. It is mentioned in Genesis that they took the leaves of the Fig Tree to cover their nakedness. That may have been the first time recorded that Man tried a work to please GOD. My opinion.

 

[Grasshopper]

Jesus used the fig tree as a symbol of Old Covenant Israel and the cursing foreshadowed her destruction.

 

[Revmitchell]

There was not an actual fig tree. The tree was symbolic of all of creation. The story while not literal was representative of the condition of this world as a result of mans imposition and lack of proper care on and of it. It shows the need for a change in the current political policy regarding climate change.

 

[rjprince]

There was not an actual fig tree. The tree was symbolic of all of creation. The story while not literal was representative of the condition of this world as a result of mans imposition and lack of proper care on and of it. It shows the need for a change in the current political policy regarding climate change.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[rjprince]

Why, in your opinion or Biblical teaching did JESUS curse the Fig Tree?
JESUS'S reason for cursing the Fig Tree in my opinion may have been because of Adam & Eve sewing fig leaves to cloth themselves. It is mentioned in Genesis that they took the leaves of the Fig Tree to cover their nakedness. That may have been the first time recorded that Man tried a work to please GOD. My opinion.

The fig tree had leaves, but no fruit. Fig trees with leaves should also have fruit. The PRESENCE of leaves was a PROMISE of fruit, but the tree was barren. Jesus cursed that one tree because it was barren. He did not curse all fig trees because of the garden of Eden. Proof? Fig trees still produce figs today.

It IS the first time that man tried to cover their sin on their own terms, because it was the first sin. For us a believers, good works do please God. In fact we are ordained unto good works (Eph 2:10). There is nothing wrong with works, it is just that works will never save!

RJP

 

[rjprince]

Jesus used the fig tree as a symbol of Old Covenant Israel and the cursing foreshadowed her destruction.

What evidence is there IN THE TEXT to support such a conclusion? And, if there is no evidence IN the text, but your idea is imposed ONTO the text, I really prefer Rev Mitchell's explanation. It is more in sync with where we are today! Especially from Al and Tipper's perspective!

RJP

 

[LadyEagle]

:laugh: :laugh:

No one can top that one, way to go RevM. :laugh: :thumbs:

 

[LeBuick]

What evidence is there IN THE TEXT to support such a conclusion? And, if there is no evidence IN the text, but your idea is imposed ONTO the text, I really prefer Rev Mitchell's explanation. It is more in sync with where we are today! Especially from Al and Tipper's perspective!

RJP

Wouldn't you agree Jesus gave a similar message when he said you don't put new wine in an old wineskin? Jesus often spoke allegorically so asking if his interpretation is directly spelled out in the text is ignoring the "living" aspect of the Word. I see truth in both their answers.

 

[Revmitchell]

Wouldn't you agree Jesus gave a similar message when he said you don't put new wine in an old wineskin? Jesus often spoke allegorically so asking if his interpretation is directly spelled out in the text is ignoring the "living" aspect of the Word. I see truth in both their answers.

What in the world does that mean anyway?

 

[rjprince]

Wouldn't you agree Jesus gave a similar message when he said you don't put new wine in an old wineskin? Jesus often spoke allegorically so asking if his interpretation is directly spelled out in the text is ignoring the "living" aspect of the Word. I see truth in both their answers.

Agree? In no way shape or form. The wineskin ILLUSTRATION/PARABLE is not the same thing as an allegory. And even at that, it was in the context of figures and pictures being used in a didactic (teaching) discourse. There is nothing in the text surrounding the fig tree that any kind of figures or illustrations are being used.

If you just read whatever you want into the text the only limit is the imagination of the interpreter as Rev Mitchell so clearly demonstrated.

Just because the ideas that one reads into a text can find support somewhere else in Scripture does not mean that the primary text supports such a poor hermeneutic. If the text does not say what you want, find the right text. Don't impose what you want to say onto a text that does not say it.

"living"??? as in breathing, growing, and changing? Living as in it means whatever I feel it means? It is truth as God speaks to me through it?


ABSOLUTELY NOT! I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE STRONGLY!!! :tonofbricks:

RJP

 

[Revmitchell]

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE STRONGLY!!! :tonofbricks:

RJP

I could but I won't

 

[Crabtownboy]

There was not an actual fig tree. The tree was symbolic of all of creation. The story while not literal was representative of the condition of this world as a result of mans imposition and lack of proper care on and of it. It shows the need for a change in the current political policy regarding climate change.

This is the most liberal interpretation of scripture I have even seen.

The fig tree was cursed because it had faith, but no fruit. The fig tree was literally a fig tree and Jesus used it to teach a deep spiritual lesson.

 

[Revmitchell]

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Did I Call it or what?

 

[Palatka51]

This is the most liberal interpretation of scripture I have even seen.

The fig tree was cursed because it had faith, but no fruit. The fig tree was literally a fig tree and Jesus used it to teach a deep spiritual lesson.

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.

It was indeed an exercise in faith.

 

[zrs6v4]

Why, in your opinion or Biblical teaching did JESUS curse the Fig Tree?
JESUS'S reason for cursing the Fig Tree in my opinion may have been because of Adam & Eve sewing fig leaves to cloth themselves. It is mentioned in Genesis that they took the leaves of the Fig Tree to cover their nakedness. That may have been the first time recorded that Man tried a work to please GOD. My opinion.

Well, I love giving opinions so here we go-

Matt. 12:33 "either make a tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit"

Matt. 3:8-10 "Bear fruit in keeping with repentance... every tree that does not bear fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire"

Matt. 7:19 "every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire"

Matt 13:8 "...other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." and 13:23

Psalm 1:3 "He is like a tree (blessed man) planted by streams of water that yields fruit in its season, and its leaf does not whither. In all he does he prospers"

Matt 21:18-22 your question. compare to Luke 13:1-9 (parable similar)

v18- Jesus hungry, symbol for him coming to us for the production of fruit of good works. when faith is strong we feed him probably like Matt 25:35... by us feeding Him we are in the right state of doing works faithfully...

v19- cursed it due to no production of fruit. same as unbelievers when not producing fruits of repentance (I dont think believers can be cursed or lose salvation, but can be in weak state). again see Luke 13... Refer also to Mathew 7 that I quoted and read a little further to see that some appeared to be clean (tree with leaves out that looks as if it is bearing fruit, but isnt) when inside they are diseased and cursed like the fig tree in this parable that appeared in season with its leaves out, but no fruit...

v20- disciples amazed

v21- faith lesson to the disiples as in matt. 17:20... which of course when functioning strongly will be repentant and produce fruit as seen in the metaphor used...

 

[Alcott]

Was it to settle the future once-saved-always-saved argument, with 'traditional' Baptists losing?

 

[zrs6v4]

Was it to settle the future once-saved-always-saved argument, with 'traditional' Baptists losing?

if you were commenting on my post, I didnt intend to....

 

[ray Marshall]

There was not an actual fig tree. The tree was symbolic of all of creation. The story while not literal was representative of the condition of this world as a result of mans imposition and lack of proper care on and of it. It shows the need for a change in the current political policy regarding climate change.

Such knowledge maketh me mad. It is high. I can not attain it. Seriously your answer is really above this old Coal miner's head.

 

[rjprince]

Would it be correct to say this whole post is about a "fig meant" of someones imagination?

 

[LeBuick]

Agree? In no way shape or form. The wineskin ILLUSTRATION/PARABLE is not the same thing as an allegory.

Explain the difference between an allegory and parable?

And even at that, it was in the context of figures and pictures being used in a didactic (teaching) discourse. There is nothing in the text surrounding the fig tree that any kind of figures or illustrations are being used.

Because YOU don't comprehend the picture in the words doesn't mean it isn't there. It just says YOU don't see it.

If you just read whatever you want into the text the only limit is the imagination of the interpreter as Rev Mitchell so clearly demonstrated.

I never said one can read "whatever you want" into scripture. If you took my statement that way then that is your fault.

"living"??? as in breathing, growing, and changing? Living as in it means whatever I feel it means? It is truth as God speaks to me through it?

Again, these are your words and not mine. But I will add, Jesus made many analogies to how the OT or Old Covenant was insufficient to achieve the ultimate goal of righteous people of God without spot or wrinkle. A tree is known by it' fruit. How can you be a fig tree and not bear figs? The only reason for the tree existing is to provide fruit. So it was with the old covenant, it had a purpose that was not being fulfilled.

This isn't the first time I've seen the fig tree explained this way. Do I explain it this way, no? Can I see what they are saying, yes...

I have likewise have seen this story explained as a Church which isn't bringing sinners to Christ or whose members are not being perfected through exhortation.