Why curse a perfectly good tree?

[Athetotheist]

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 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. Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.
(Mark 11:12-14)

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.
(Matthew 21:19)

Question 1: If "through him all things were made", why didn't Jesus know that there wouldn't be any fruit on a tree when its fruit was not in season?

Question 2: If there should have been fruit on the tree because the fruit was in season, why did the author of Mark make the false statement that it wasn't in season?

Question 3: How was Jesus's cursing of the tree a righteous act when both versions of the curse [the one in Mark and the one in Matthew] assume that the tree would have produced fruit again [and Mark's version specifically assumes that it would produce fruit again when the fruit was in season]?

[Athetotheist]

[Replying to Difflugia in post #10]

But Matthew removes the bit about it being unseasonal for figs.

Is that surprising if he realized that Mark had said the quiet part out loud?

[JehovahsWitness]

I think it's a parable ...

What in the language indicates to you the writer is presenting a parable (a fictional event ) rather than a literal experience?

[JehovahsWitness]

Regarding the theory that Jesus cursed a dead tree, I asked AI if historically dead trees were generally left standing....

In historical Jerusalem, especially in ancient or medieval times:

Wood was a valuable resource: Firewood was scarce and precious. Trees were not abundant, so a dead tree would likely be cut down and used, especially in colder months or for cooking.

Utilization: Even partially rotted wood could serve some purpose — for heating, pottery kilns, lime production, or even construction (e.g., beams or supports if solid).

Urban vs. rural: Inside the densely populated city, a dead tree would probably be removed quickly, either to make space or for safety/firewood. In more rural areas around Jerusalem, a dead tree might remain longer.

So it's unlikely that a dead tree would be left standing and there would be very little point in telling a story to locals about something they all knew probably wouldn't have been there in the first place. As for the curse, there would be little point making up a story about a man cursing a dead tree for not producing fruit (since dead trees don't usually produce fruit). If one were to make up a story of miraculous powers one might at a stretch say he revived a dying tree but a narrative about a man cursing a fruitless or dying tree and the tree withering is intrinsically not one that springs to mind to impress a farming community.

Why would a writer make up a story about an action which would at the very least seem curious and at the worst offend one's target audience?




JEHOVAH'S WITNESS



Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
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FAITH , FOOD and .... THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND BAD

[Athetotheist]

[Replying to JehovahsWitness in post #13]

If one were to make up a story of miraculous powers one might at a stretch say he revived a dying tree but a narrative about a man cursing a fruitless or dying tree and the tree withering is intrinsically not one that springs to mind to impress a farming community.

Since the story is supposed to be about a miraculous occurrence, why wouldn't Jesus simply put fruit on the fruitless tree if he wanted it there----especially if he was capable of bringing human beings back from the dead?

Why would a writer make up a story about an action which would at the very least seem curious and at the worst offend one's target audience?

If cursing a fruitless tree to wither would have a negative consequence, why would Jesus take such an action?

[A Freeman]

The "fig-tree" symbolizes the "Jews" in Scripture, with the "good figs" representing the 2-tribed "House of Judah" and the "evil figs" representing the counterfeit-Jews (Ashkenazis and Idumeans/Edomites).

Jeremiah 24:1-9
24:1 The "I AM" showed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs [were] set before the Temple of the "I AM", after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.
24:2 One basket [had] very good figs, [even] like the figs [that are] first ripe (Rev. 7:5): and the other basket [had] very naughty figs, which could not be eaten, they were so bad (Rev. 2:9; 3:9).
24:3 Then said the "I AM" unto me, What seest thou, Jeremiah? And I said, Figs; the good figs, very good; and the evil, very evil, that cannot be eaten, they are so evil.
24:4 Again the Word of the "I AM" came unto me, saying,
24:5 Thus saith the "I AM", the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good.
24:6 For I will set Mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up.
24:7 And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I [am] the "I AM": and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart.
24:8 And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the "I AM", So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:
24:9 And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them.

Matthew 21:19-21
21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
21:20 And when the disciples saw [it], they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the Fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this "mountain" (government - Isa. 2:1-4), Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the "sea" (people - Isa. 17:12-13); it shall be done.

Matthew 21:33-46
21:33 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
21:34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent His servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
21:35 And the husbandmen took His servants (the Prophets), and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
21:36 Again, He sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
21:37 But last of all He sent unto them His son, saying, They will respect my Son.
21:38 But when the husbandmen saw the Son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
21:39 And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him].
21:40 When the Lord therefore of the Vineyard cometh, what will He do unto those husbandmen?
21:41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [His] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render Him the fruits in their seasons.
21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the Corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a NATION bringing forth the fruits thereof (the "10 lost tribes" - the "House of Israel").
21:44 And whosoever shall fall on this Stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
21:45 And when the chief priests and politicians had heard his parables, they perceived that he spoke about them.
21:46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a Prophet.

The parable above foretold the crucifixion of Jesus by church and state, i.e. by the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of Talmudic Judaism, whose chief priests were Idumean/Edomite converts) manipulating the Roman government into doing their dirty-work. This is why the evil fig-tree (counterfeit Jews) was cursed.

Matthew 27:20-26
27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Son of Abba, and destroy Jesus.
27:21 The Governor answered and said unto them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? They said, Son of Abba.
27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? [They] all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
27:23 And the Governor said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let him be crucified.
27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but [that] rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed [his] hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye [to it].
27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood [be] on us (the Jews), and on our children (descendants).
27:26 Then released he Son of Abba unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered [him] to be crucified.

[Athetotheist]

[Replying to A Freeman in post #15]

The "fig-tree" symbolizes the "Jews" in Scripture, with the "good figs" representing the 2-tribed "House of Judah" and the "evil figs" representing the counterfeit-Jews (Ashkenazis and Idumeans/Edomites).

What's symbolized by the tree being cursed for not bearing fruit when it isn't the season for the fruit to be there?

[A Freeman]

Matthew 7:13-20
7:13 Enter ye in at the "Strait" gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
7:14 Because Strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] The Way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it.
7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into The Fire.
7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

The fruit of a tree is what the tree produces.

The fruits of an individual are the actions that individual produce.

The metaphor should be self-explanatory.

[A Freeman]

Concerning the description "perfectly good" to describe the evil "fig-tree" (representative of the "Jews" who murdered Jesus)...

Isaiah 5:20-21
5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for Light, and Light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
5:21 Woe unto [them that are] wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!

The counterfeit-Jews are today murdering the Palestinians by the tens of thousands, and are starving them out to complete their genocide, proving to the world what Christ said about how evil they truly.

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and (I know) the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are NOT, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are NOT, but do LIE; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.


Them Which Say They Are Jews But Are NOT

[Athetotheist]

[Replying to A Freeman in post #17]

The fruit of a tree is what the tree produces.

The fruits of an individual are the actions that individual produce.

The metaphor should be self-explanatory.

The story says that Jesus went looking for figs because he was hungry. Isn't "it was not the season for figs" self-explanatory?

[A Freeman]

Are you really going to pretend you don't know what a metaphor is?

Matthew 5:6 Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Go for it).


John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth me shall never thirst.


Physical food is fuel for the human. The body digests the food and turns it into energy.

Spiritual food is fuel for the soul. When the soul digests the true teachings of Christ, and puts them into practice, it produces positive spiritual energy.

It's very simple and easy to understand, just as the lesson about the fig-tree ("Jews") NEVER producing any fruit from that point forward is simple and easy to understand.