Mark 11:13

Seeing a fig tree. As upon the occasion of the Triumphal Entry the day before, Jesus probably followed a more or less direct route from Bethany into Jerusalem, up the gentle, eastern slope of the Mount of Olives and down the comparatively steep western slope and across the Kidron Valley into Jerusalem (see on Matt. 21:1; Luke 19:41). The fig tree attracted attention by being the only one of the trees in the orchard fully leafed out.

Afar off. Jesus saw the tree some time before reaching it. Apparently this particular tree grew near to the road (see Matt. 21:19).

Having leaves. A fully leafed fig tree gave promise of well-developed, though not necessarily ripe, fruit. On the other hand, leafless trees, as the rest of the trees in the orchard were, raised no false hopes that fruit would be found on them, and therefore occasioned no disappointment.

In this acted parable (see on v. 14) the fully leafed fig tree represented the Jewish nation, and the other trees, the Gentile nations. True, the Gentiles bore no fruit, but then, none was expected of them because they made no profession of bearing fruit (see Vol. IV, pp. 26, 27). This precocious fig tree, however, had leaves that betokened figs.

Nothing but leaves. Here was promise without performance. Of all vices there was none Jesus found more offensive than that of hypocrisy (see on Matt. 6:2; 23:13). Like the fruitless fig tree, Jewish religion was destitute of fruit. It was replete with form and ceremony but lacked true godliness (see on Mark 7:2, 3; see Vol. IV, pp. 30-33).

The time of figs. In Palestine the early crop of figs usually matures in June, and the late crop in September. It was now near Passover, probably in April, and thus only a few weeks before the early crop would mature. Although it was unusual to expect to find figs this early in the season, nevertheless, a tree in full leaf might, conceivably, have fruit approaching maturity. It should also be noted that in Oriental lands green or unripe fruit is often relished (see on Isa. 28:4).