Today, we will be examining the Biblical text of Matthew 21:18-22. This text covers the cursing of a fig tree by Jesus. There is some debate as to which day of the week this event occurred. However, for our purposes, we can recognize its importance for today, regardless of which specific day of the week it occurs. The text is very visual, and it may catch us off guard in light of Jesus’ usual healing miracles. Nevertheless, we can see great truths from this text:
Matthew 21:18–22 ESV
18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once. 20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Firstly, we should notice that there is a time indicator on this text. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that this event occurred “in the morning” as Jesus is returning to Jerusalem from Bethany where He was staying. On His journey into Jerusalem, Jesus’ humanity is on display as He becomes hungry. It is an important element of our theology that we remember that Jesus is truly God and truly man. As a man, Jesus got hungry and tired. However, this is not the main element or focal point of this passage. Here, Jesus is not angrily lashing out at a poor little tree with no fruit on it. Rather, Jesus is building from historic Scriptural teaching and illustrating a great Gospel point through cursing this fig tree.
The key to understanding this passage and Jesus’ point is found in the context and Jesus’ statements themselves. We must remember that Jesus is on His way into Jerusalem to teach in the temple. Sequentially, the very next event in Scripture is Jesus entering the temple. Conceivably, and most likely, Jesus is within view of the temple mount during these events. Jesus specifically curses the fig tree for having leaves but no fruit. The idea here is that the tree looked healthy and had all it needed but did not bear fruit. As Jesus curses the fig tree, it withers immediately. In fact, the original language implicates not just withering but total destruction. The disciples question how such a thing is possible and it is in Jesus’ answer that our point will be seen. Jesus tells them that if one has faith, they will not only do what He did to the fig tree but even if they “say to this mountain” be thrown into the sea, it would be done. The illustration is coming into focus. Jesus is not telling the disciples that they could say to any mountain that it should be thrown into the sea, but rather specifically “this mountain.” What is “this mountain?” Context tells us that this mountain is the temple mount.
Therefore, we can see that Jesus’ point in cursing the fig tree is symbolic. Just as the tree appeared healthy but yielded no fruit, the city of Jerusalem had a temple that yielded no spiritual fruit but rather had become a den of thieves instead of fulfilling its intended purpose as a house of prayer for all nations. Furthermore, Jesus’ caveat to the disciples about their prayers is important as well. Jesus tells them that it is only through faith that the mountain would be cast into the sea. Through faith, the old temple would become obsolete and thrown into the sea. Through faith, we are able to see fruit in our lives through sanctification by God’s grace. Through faith, we are able to bear fruit and see others come to place faith in Christ by grace as well. Jesus is not telling us that our faith can move mountains, but that it could move the temple mount. No longer would we be fruitless and bound under the condemnation of the law but saved by grace through faith in Christ.
Finally, it is worth noting that the thing which bears no fruit in this passage is cursed. Jesus had already taught that true believers are known by their fruits.
Matthew 7:16–20 ESV
16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
Faith in Christ by His grace produces good fruit. Trust in ourselves, faulty systems, or false teachings will result in total destruction and judgment. May we strive to be “good trees” that fulfill the Great Commission and bear much fruit by His grace!
Colt Hudson 