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The Shaking of the Fig Tree

The Object Lesson of Judgment 🌳

A Deep Dive into Prophetic Symbolism from Matthew 21:18-22 (KJV)

Jesus cursing the fig tree is not an act of impatience, but a powerful, deliberate object lesson of prophetic judgment and a teaching on radical faith. The fig tree in the Old Testament is a primary symbol for the nation of Israel, and its barrenness served as a visible condemnation of Israel’s spiritual condition when Christ came.

The Return Question: Why Curse a Barren Tree?

The context of this miracle is critical. Jesus curses the fig tree just after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and shortly before He cleanses the Temple, linking the three events into a single message of judgment.

1. The Fig Tree as a Symbol for Israel

The fig tree often symbolizes Israel in prophetic literature:

  • Positive Symbolism: Bearing fruit (figs) represents Israel’s spiritual faithfulness and obedience (Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1).
  • Negative Symbolism: Bearing only leaves but no fruit represents Israel’s external piety without internal reality. At the time Jesus encountered the tree, it was early spring, not the usual fig season, but the presence of leaves indicated that early fruit (taqsh) should have been available. Its outward show (leaves) was a deception because it lacked the essential evidence of spiritual life (fruit).

2. The Prophetic Act of Judgment

Jesus’s curse was a prophetic drama directed not at the tree itself, but at the Temple and the nation of Israel that claimed to have life (leaves) but produced no genuine spiritual fruit (figs) for God.

“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.” (Matthew 21:19, KJV)

The immediate withering of the tree symbolized the imminent spiritual and temporal judgment coming upon Israel, culminating in the destruction of the Temple and the diaspora (scattered settlement of people) in A.D. 70.

The Prophetic Hotspot: Faith and The Lord’s Return

After the disciples were astonished by the speed of the tree’s destruction, Jesus immediately shifted the lesson from judgment to faith.

“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.” (Matthew 21:21, KJV)

1. The Mountain Symbolism

The “mountain” here refers to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. The original prophetic lesson was not about literally moving physical land, but about removing the old religious system.

  • Jesus prophesied the destruction of the Temple system (the fig tree/mountain) that was hypocritically claiming righteousness while rejecting the Messiah.
  • The curse demonstrated that the power of faith would overcome the existing religious establishment and usher in a new spiritual order.

2. The Enduring Lesson on Faith

The cursing of the fig tree shows that divine judgment and the coming of the new age (the Lord’s Return) are inseparable from a call for radical, fruit-bearing faith on the part of His people.

  • The power that withered the old system is the same power made available to the believer who trusts God without doubt.
  • The new spiritual life promised is one of genuine fruit, not merely religious leaves.

Conclusion: The Shaking of the Fig Tree is a powerful warning that external religion without inward reality will face irreversible judgment. It serves as a permanent object lesson for all generations: God demands genuine fruit. The Lord’s Return will complete the judgment begun on the barren fig tree, establishing the true, fruitful Kingdom of God.