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RESPONSE:
I agree, it does seem out of character,
especially when Jesus isn't willing
to turn stones into bread when tempted
by the devil. Also, the fact that
he has fed the multitudes on two different
occasions with a handful of loaves
and fish makes you wonder why he would
now curse a tree that didn't have
fruit. Let's examine the circumstances.
Jesus knew this was not the time
of the year for fig trees to bear
fruit. Fig trees bear fruit twice
a year - in June and September. This
was April. Even if the tree had old
fruit, it would be edible because
even unripened fruit was edible. So
he could have eaten from it if it
had had fruit.
Some scholars suggest this was a
rogue tree growing in a rocky area
and Jesus was just commenting on the
health of the tree. Mark 11:14
No man eat fruit of thee hereafter
for ever.
Recognizing that Jesus was very clear
about everything he did this particular
week, we might not take the story
so literally, but see the symbolism
instead:
- Israel was that barren fig tree.
(Outward show, but no fruit.)
- The nation of Israel had failed
to recognize the Messiah.
- Therefore Israel was condemned.
The tree had leaves. Leaves were
an indicator that the tree would have
figs. Its claim was false. Profession
without practice was the curse of
the Jews.1
— GAL
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