cursing of the fig tree by jesus

Sat, 02 May 2026 00:23:21 +0000

The Cursing of the Fig Tree: A Deep Dive into Jesus’ Symbolism and Teachings When exploring the teachings of Jesus, one striking and lesser-known episode is the “Cursing of the Fig Tree,” recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:12–25). This moment, brief yet rich with meaning, reveals profound spiritual truths about faith, judgment, and the consequences of unfruitfulness. While not a violent curse in the literal sense, this dramatic event functions as a powerful symbolic act with lasting implications for believers. ### What Happened in the Cursing of the Fig Tree? In this narrative, Jesus enters the city near Jerusalem and becomes disheartened to find a fig tree in bloom—yet bearing no fruit. In anger and sorrow, He curses the fig tree, saying it will wither and die overnight (Matthew 21:18–19). Moments later, Jesus finds absolute barrenness where once there was hope. On the following day, He curses the disciples for failing to “pray or have faith in hearts overflowing with love” (Mark 11:22–25), and the tree remains dead.