Hebrew Arrangements
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And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He could find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Mark 11:13
For – This looks like a case of vindictive and unwarranted judgment. At least that’s how most Westerners would read this. It looks like Yeshua was hungry, came to the fig tree, found no figs and cursed the tree. That might be understandable if the tree were expected to have fruit. But Mark makes it clear that this was not the season for figs. So no one could have expected to find figs on the tree. Therefore, Yeshua’s actions seem entirely inappropriate. Is that really what the text says?
If we’re going to understand this odd event, we will have to read it from it Hebrew construction. First, it is part of a Hebrew teaching pattern. The pattern is A-B-C-B´-A´. This pattern reaches its climax in the middle of the sequence, not at the end (as we typically expect). In this case, the pattern is the triumphant entry (verses 1-11), the cursing of the tree (verses 12-14), cleaning the temple (verse 15-19), the withered tree (verses 20-25), and the rejection of Yeshua (verses 11:27 – 12:12). In other words, the fig tree is only part of a greater lesson about the apparent acceptance of Yeshua as the Davidic king followed by the rejection of His Davidic role. The important turning point is clearing the temple of merchants, and the declaration that the temple is a house of prayer for the nations. Once Yeshua declares the temple to be God’s place of worship for all men, the tide turns against Him. The point of this sequence is a lesson about true faith.
Now let’s apply this to the fig tree. Two important details need to be emphasized. First, Mark makes it clear that the tree appeared to be fruitful from a distance. It is only upon closer examination that it is found unproductive. Second, Mark uses a stylistic device to attach this event to a lesson in the Tanakh. This device is Mark’s use of the Greek term gar (for, therefore). Mark employs this word to introduce his own parenthetical remarks pointing to Scripture references. In other words, Mark wants us to remember certain passages in the Tanakh that deal with the season of figs. Lane suggests that Yeshua has Jeremiah 8:13 in mind here. This passage is about God’s declaration of chastisement on His people because they have rejected His ways. It is the perfect complement to the pattern of the events recounted by Mark. The point of the story about the fig tree is not found in the tree but rather in the symbol of the tree’s unfruitfulness. God reasonably expects His people to produce lives of righteousness, but just like this tree, on closer examination He finds only the outward signs (the leaves) but none of the fruit.
Once again we see that the text employs more than a surface level in order to communicate meaning. Events are arranged so that the symbolism is clear to Hebrew readers. Back to basics. Even in simple “stories” we need to think like the Jewish audience.
Of course, there is another application here, once we see the pattern. Let us not become the fruitless fig tree. The outer leaves appeared to portend productive life, but closer examination found that the purpose of the tree was unfulfilled. In the same way, Yeshua comes into our lives as triumphant King. Everything looks as if it is moving in the right direction. Then we discover that those boundaries we put around Him aren’t what we thought them to be. He pushes us out of our walled-in lives, demanding we become vehicles for all the nations. The lines are crossed – and blurred – and erased. Now the next step in the pattern is up to us. Will we be fruitful? Will we fulfill our purpose?
Topical Index: fig tree, for, gar, Jeremiah 8:13, Mark 11:13
I will be out of the country for the next week so responses to email and comments may be pretty slow.
Skip,
Thank you sooo much for explaining the meaning of the fig tree. I’ve been puzzled about that “unwarranted judgment” my entire spiritual life. You have finally shed light on it for me after all these years.
Gratefully & appreciatively, Amy Wong
Hi Amy,
I agree that Mark 11:13 is a very difficult passage to understand.
How do we examine our own fruit? How do we examine the fulfilllment of our purpose when we are a work in progress?
Among others, Sha’ul gives us a good check list – fruit of the spirit. But here’s the key. You are not your own fruit examiner. While you can open yourself to examination by God, and ask Him to inspect your characteristics, most examiners are other people. They either see the fruit you are producing or they notice the absence of it. You must have the courage to ask them: “When you look at me, do you see patience, truthfulness, mercy, good will, kindness, etc.” Honest answers help all of us overcome the blind spots in the mirror.