Mark 11 · a question people ask
Why did Jesus curse a fig tree when "it was not the season for figs" (11:13)?
Here is what Mark says. "The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry" (11:12). "Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs" (11:13). "Jesus told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and his disciples heard it" (11:14). Mark doesn't say why Jesus spoke to the tree as he did. The next morning the tree was "withered away from the roots" (11:20), and when Peter said so, Jesus answered, "Have faith in God" (11:22), and went on to prayer and forgiving (11:23-25). That is the only teaching Mark sets beside the tree. Matthew tells it too (Matthew 21:18-22); the go-deeper sets the two side by side. These notes don't give the tree a meaning the text doesn't give it.
The verses
“The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Jesus told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and his disciples heard it.”