Lessons From the Fig Tree

Here are a few instance of the Fig Tree used to illustrate points.

(Prov 27:18 NIV) He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Our actions have consequences.

(Micah 4:1-5 NIV) In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. {2} Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {3} He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. {4} Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. {5} All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. Here the fig tree is used as a symbol of peace and prosperity in a millennial reign.

(Hab 3:17-18 NIV) Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, {18} yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Under all circumstances we can have joy in the assurance that we have a Savior.

Now a lesson on faith from the Fig Tree

(Mat 21:18-22 NIV) Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. {19} Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered. {20} When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. {21} Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. {22} If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

(Mark 11:12-14 NIV) The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. {13} Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Although fig trees would begin to have leaves during this time near Passover they would not be expected to have fruit. {14} Then he said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And his disciples heard him say it. ---- (Mark 11:20-25 NIV) In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. {21} Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" {22} "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. {23} "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. {24} Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Why Jesus cursed the fig tree is not certain but what is certain is it proved a great opportunity to talk about the power of faith.{25} And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." Mark includes this tidbit reminiscent of the Lord’s Prayer.

Here we see the Fig Tree used to help us understand about the arrival of prophetic end times.

(Mat 24:29-33 NIV) "Immediately after the distress of those days "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' {30} "At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. {31} And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. {32} "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. {33} Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.

(Mark 13:23-29 NIV) So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. {24} "But in those days, following that distress, "'the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; {25} the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.' {26} "At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. {27} And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. {28} "Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. {29} Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.

(Luke 21:29-31 NIV) He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. {30} When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. {31} Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

Here the Fig Tree is used in a parable.

(Luke 13:4-9 NIV) Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? {5} I tell you, no! Not much is known of this incident and it is not mentioned anywhere else although a pool of Siloam is mentioned. But unless you repent, you too will all perish." {6} Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. {7} So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' {8} "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. {9} If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'" This seems to relate to the story of the cursed fig tree. The point being…

(2 Pet 3:9-13 NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. {10} But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. {11} Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives {12} as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. {13} But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.