Miracles of Jesus: Jesus Withers the Fig

Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered. Matthew 21:19 (NIV)

Key points

• The tree was a picture of false fruitfulness, having the outward appearance of bearing fruit, but in the end it was an empty display.
• Jesus condemns the tree, cursing it for its false appearance and for not acting in the way God created it .
• Listen to the ‘Miracles of Jesus’ series and others on Real Hope | The Podcast.

Read Matthew 21:18–22

The parable of the fig tree can be both confusing and astonishing.

Not only does the destruction and cursing of creation seem out of character for Jesus, but He promises us that all we ask for in faith will happen.

Doing a contextual study though reveals some key factors that help us understand what’s going on.

This fig tree had leaves but no figs.

This should not occur with these types of fig trees that do not bear leaves without fruit.

The tree was a picture of false fruitfulness, having the outward appearance of bearing fruit, but in the end it was an empty display.

The tree was a picture of false fruitfulness, having the outward appearance of bearing fruit, but in the end it was an empty display.

Hope 103.2 is proudly supported by

This is a parable for the unfruitful believer – having the appearance of being fruitful but not bearing fruit in their lives.

Jesus condemns the tree, cursing it for its false appearance and for not acting in the way God created it .

Jesus also teaches us in this passage the power of praying for God’s will.

God does not will for His creation to be false bearers or working out of alignment with His creation.

Jesus’ prayer was said in faith, knowing the heart of the Father.

Jesus condemns the tree, cursing it for its false appearance and for not acting in the way God created it .

We too can receive what we ask for in prayer, when we do so in faith.

The phrase in faith means in alignment with the Spirit of God, and in alignment with the knowledge of who God is.

It’s faith in His character and His heart that gives us hope and confidence in our prayers.

It is not permission to pray for a fleshly desire, falsely declaring that God will manifest it for you based on this verse.

Instead we have power through the Holy Spirit when we pray in faith and in alignment with God’s will and prompting.

Listen to this episode in the player above.

Subscribe to the YouVersion plan or listen to Real Hope | The Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro

Episode supplied with thanks to Emma Barron

Originally published as ‘Miracles of Jesus: Jesus Withers the Fig’ in Real Hope, November 2024