Mark 11:12-14 - The Fruitless Fig Tree

Mark 11:12-14
12 On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He became hungry. 13 Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening.
Message: The Fruitless Fig Tree

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus is on his way into Jerusalem to begin the week leading up to the cross. But, we aren't sure these events really only take up a week. First order of business was procuring a donkey that some of the disciples went to get and then riding into Jerusalem on it, thus fulfilling prophecy of a king coming in on a donkey. The people knew the significance of this and draped things on the ground as well, but they may have not completely understood His messianic focus of ushering in the kingdom of God, thinking he was simply ushering in a restored Israel. Jesus went straight to the temple, but only to look around and then returned to Bethany to rest.

On the next day - so it seems that it is now one day later. they had left Bethany where Jesus had been resting or preparing for what was ahead and He became hungry. Maybe he was just hungry or maybe he realized that he needed food for what lie ahead.

Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Interesting. From Mark's perspective or rather Peter's, he would go to a fig tree, hungry, and there would be nothing on it to take. Didn't he know this? It would seem, but then he made the command - He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” The tree had no fruit so therefore no was to eat fruit from it again. And His disciples were listening.

Well, I don't see what this is about so I will first look at the commentary given from the Tabletalk magazine on the date I am currently reading - October 18, 2016. It remarks this passage as an example of an enacted parable or perhaps a real life event that could teach us something rather than a parable which was often a story that wasn't real. Enacted means that their actions conveyed a truth. In this situation Jesus goes to a tree, a fig tree, in leaf. It being in leaf meant that it appeared to have borne fruit, for a fig tree bears fruit first and then leaves. Mark had responded though that it was not the season for figs. Perhaps Mark thought he saw something that Jesus didn't, but either way Jesus seeing a tree with figs, rather in season or not, it should have probably had some sort of size of figs.

In Hosea 2 is an example of the judgment upon Israel and it mentions in verse 12 - I will destroy her vines and fig trees. So fig trees, barren fig trees are an example or foreshadowing of judgment upon Israel. Thus, what he does here is curse the fig tree by saying  - “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” The curse was a sign that judgment was about to come to Jerusalem. The fig tree represented the people of Israel of which a curse was pronounced suitable to its condition.

This could even have more far reaching curses upon the Church that appears healthy, but alas there is no fruit. At this point it is cursed or a curse falls on it.

Summary - Jesus is leaving Bethany on his way to Jerusalem and sees a fig tree in leaf and expects to find fruit for leaves form after the fruit has occurred. It is not the season for figs so therefore it was not thought that there was any fruit that had already been taken. So what Jesus sees is a tree that appears to have fruit and has nothing. It appears healthy but it isn't, so pronounces a curse on it, a divine judgment that it will never be healthy.

Promise: We are to bear fruit for God's glory, and if we are not bearing fruit in service to God and neighbor, we must repent and rely on His grace. If we do not, that may be a sign that we are not in His Kingdom at all.

Prayer: Lord, your words are strong. We as a people are meant to bear fruit. Lord, I am meant to bear fruit. Sometimes I don't see it. Forgive me for that and let my hope be in you for what I can't see. I should have peace for doing the things you have called me to do and then I can trust that you are working them out.