Matthew 21:18-19
21:19 a there were only leaves: Mark observes that “it was too early in the season for fruit” (see Mark 11:13 b). It was spring (just before Passover); figs form in the spring but ripen in the fall.• immediately the fig tree withered: Matthew has apparently compressed the story (cp. Matt 21:18-22 c; Mark 11:13-14 d, 20-23 e). The cursing of the fig tree is a symbolic gesture depicting God’s judgment on Israel for rejecting the Messiah (see Matt 3:9 f; 8:11-12 g). Like a fig tree that shows promise but no fruit, the Israelites (especially the hypocritical leaders) did not bear the fruit of receiving the Messiah (see 21:33-46 h).
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