Matthew 21:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

This was so that both His followers and the Jewish people would recognize that although He had the power to bring judgment upon those who crucified Him, He willingly chose to submit to crucifixion rather than unleash His wrath. Instead of directing His justice towards men, He illustrated it through this fig tree. Therefore, when such events occur involving places, plants, or even mute creatures, it is wise not to question them. It is reckless to wonder how a fig tree can justly wither if it is not yet the season for fruit. It is more prudent to marvel at the miracle and praise the One who performs such wonders. Many observe the fate of the pigs in a similar fashion, seeking justice in that narrative. Yet, we should refrain from joining those judgments. Just as plants lack souls, so do animals devoid of reason. Now, why is this cause of condemnation highlighted? As noted previously, it is articulated by the evangelist according to the understanding of the disciples. If it is not yet the time for harvesting, it is futile to assert that the law is symbolized by the fig tree. The true fruit of the law was faith; this fruit had already been manifest, indicating the time for gathering it had indeed arrived. “The fields,” it is recorded, “are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35); and, “I have sent you to reap that which you have not labored over” (John 4:38). Thus, the focus is not on the law itself, but rather, as previously stated, Christ uses the cursing of the fig tree to demonstrate His power and authority to enact vengeance. This intention is underscored by the phrase, “for it was not yet time.” These words indicate that Christ approached the fig tree with a specific purpose, not to quell His hunger, but to provide an example for His disciples, who were astonished by the withering of the tree, even though countless other miracles were more significant. For the disciples, this particular miracle was novel and surprising as it marked the first occasion that Christ revealed His justice and vengeance. Hence, the Lord chose not to perform miracles on any other tree but on the fig tree, known for its rich fruit, enhancing the awe of this extraordinary occurrence.

Thus, anyone who indulges solely in worldly pleasures resembles this fig tree: they yield no spiritual nourishment for the hungry Lord, but only a fleeting façade. Such individuals shall face a curse upon themselves; as it is written, ‘Depart from me, ye cursed, into the fire.’ They too will become parched: even their tongues shall be dry during their suffering in the flames, reminiscent of the rich man in the Gospel.

Reflecting on this, we can envision that the day of the Lord's suffering was approaching, and we recognize when He endured such trials. To clarify this point, the evangelist indicates that it was not the time for the fig tree to bear fruit. If the sole purpose had been to showcase a miracle, it would have been far more aligned with His compassion and grace to restore the withered tree to life. Such an act would resonate more closely with His healings of the sick, His cleansings of lepers, and His resurrections of the dead. Instead, it seems as though, contrary to His standard of mercy, He encounters a flourishing tree that is not yet bearing fruit because the season for it is unripe. Yet, what does He do? He withers it. He conveys to the observer, ‘I take no joy in causing this tree to wither. My intention is to show you that my actions are not without purpose, but rather to enlighten you. I have not condemned the tree, nor have I imposed punishment on an unresponsive plant; rather, I aim to instill a healthy fear in you, so that you might not miss Christ's call. Let your hope be anchored in the season of fruitfulness, not merely in the lushness of leaves.

It is crucial to remember something essential when interpreting Scripture. Every statement or action must be perceived in either a literal or a figurative sense, and at times it is necessary to merge both approaches—literal interpretation with figurative significance. Consequently, Christ, wishing to instruct us, desires for us to bear fruit, presenting us with this powerful image—one that is not a mere illusion but is indeed commendable.

Upon seeing a particular tree, which can symbolize the synagogue and the assembly of the Jewish people, He recognized that while the synagogue had the Law, its faith in the Way was absent. He approached it, finding it devoid of the Gospel’s essence. All He encountered were leaves—the empty assurances of promises, the deceit of the Pharisees, and their self-aggrandizing proclamations of the Law, all lacking the authentic fruits of truth. Thus, another evangelist notes that it was not the season for figs (Mark 11:13), implying that the moment for Israel's redemption had not yet arrived, as the Gentiles had not yet been reached, or perhaps that the opportunity for faith had already passed because, upon His initial visitation, He received rejection, prompting the Savior to turn to the Gentile nations.

He pronounced that no fruit would ever come from the fig tree, with the Greek word for eternity, αίών, conveying both meanings of perpetuity. The fig tree withered, unable to provide food, which the Lord desired to partake in; only the trunk remained as the leaves fell away. After the branches are lost, the root may still thrive—should it believe, in the end, it may again yield the fruits of faith, and thus fulfills the scripture declaring there is hope for a tree (Job 14:7).

In a literal sense, the Lord, who would experience suffering among the nations and withstand the weight of the cross, intended to reassure His disciples beforehand with this sign. Consequently, they were astonished, questioning the rapid withering of the tree. The Savior possessed the power to similarly diminish His adversaries but chose to anticipate their redemption through repentance.

Then, taking on flesh and becoming Man, He manifested Himself, possessing a rational and contemplative soul, and as the Word of God, He directed human nature to a spiritual and contemplative service. He did not intend for the shadow representing the Truth, symbolized by the fig tree, to hold sway while the Truth itself was revealed in life.

Thus, the Holy Scripture states: While returning from Bethany to Jerusalem (Matthew 21:18; Mark 11-12), after His initial and shadowy appearance concealed within the law, the Word of God reapproaches humanity through the flesh. This can be understood through His observations: Upon returning, He spotted a fig tree along the path that was solely adorned with leaves (Matt. 21:18; Mark 11:13). This signifies the physical service of the law, enshrouded in shadows and images, merely resting along an unstable and transient tradition comprised of fleeting symbols and prescriptions. When He witnessed this ministry, richly embellished like a fig tree with the external trappings of legal observance yet yielding no fruit—that is, no truth—He condemned it for failing to sustain the Word of God. Furthermore, He decreed that the truth should no longer be obscured beneath the governance of legal symbols, which indeed occurred as history unfolded; the legal grandeur, which existed solely in outward expressions, perished, along with the pride of the Jews.

For it was futile and inappropriate that, after the righteousness of truth had been clearly manifested, the law’s service should deceptively arouse the desires of those journeying through this life, leading them to abandon the nourishing fruit of the Word. Hence, the Holy Scripture notes: It was not the season for gathering figs (Mk. 11:13), indicating that the period ruled by the law was not a time for the fruits of righteousness, but instead cast as a shadow pointing toward the divine grace to come—a grace that ultimately saves all, which, without, the ancient people fell into disbelief.

As the Apostle articulates: Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, which was conveyed in shadows and figures, did not achieve the law of righteousness (Rom. 9:31), meaning they did not attain the complete law of the spirit realized in Christ. Similarly, it can be seen that the multitude of priests, scribes, lawyers, and Pharisees, consumed by vanity, believed they were presenting the truth through the display of their self-conceived morals learned under pretense, all while nurturing their arrogance. Scripture refers to their vain pretense as a barren fig tree, glorious only in its leaves. The Lord, desiring the salvation of all and seeking their worship, withers it, cursing it as fruitless so that they might forsake their self-righteousness and instead pursue true virtue with sincerity, living a righteous life that reflects an honest disposition of the heart rather than merely an outward semblance before men.

For those among us Christians who exhibit outward propriety without the actions of righteousness, let us anticipate that the Word of God, in His mercy, longing for our liberation, will eradicate the seeds of pride within our souls, preventing them from yielding the corrupting fruit of false righteousness. This interpretation, based on my limited understanding, illustrates the true meaning behind the narrative. From this, we can discern how justly the Lord desires, how wisely He condemns the fig tree, and how timely He causes it to wither—whether we see it as the ancient customs of physical representations within the law or the moral arrogance found in Pharisees and ourselves.

To ensure His disciples did not perceive this act as solely a sign of His personal frustration, the Lord reminded them of His earlier teaching: whenever they sought anything from God, they should ask not only with faith but also with a heart reconciled to all, including their adversaries. He then assured them that not only would performing the miracle of the fig tree drying up not be impossible for them, but they could also achieve even greater wonders.

What, then, is the significance of this curse on the seemingly innocent fig tree? Its true meaning is unveiled in the Lord’s parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6). The fig tree, which bore only leaves, was used by the Lord as a symbol of the Jewish nation, whose devotion was merely external, manifested through empty rituals, producing nothing of real substance. Thus, like this tree that failed to fulfill its purpose and bore no fruit, the chosen nation, no longer aligned with its divine calling, would ultimately face judgment. This adverse fate had been foretold; now, it was coming to a head. In essence, the effect of the curse on the fig tree served as a parable of God’s judgment against the people of Judah—a truth the Lord demonstrated through action, not merely words. This was left unexplained at that time, as the truth may have been too weighty for the disciples, but it was destined to be revealed. The following events would reveal whether the nation's leaders were indeed deserving of such judgment.

To illustrate the spiritual barrenness of these leaders and the entire Jewish nation following them, the Lord employed the vivid metaphor of the barren fig tree. This tree, adorned with lush leaves yet devoid of fruit, failed to fulfill its intended purpose, serving as an apt representation of a legalism that lacked the true spirit of life. In the parable, the fig tree remained unfruitful for three years, having already been marked for removal by the owner to prevent it from occupying space needlessly. However, upon the vinedresser's counsel, it was granted one additional year of care to see if it might yield fruit (Luke 13:6-9). Such was the condition of the Jewish synagogue during the redemptive ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. It became apparent that this year of divine patience allotted for reflection had brought no discernment, only a hardening of their hearts. By rejecting their Messiah and failing to embrace the new life ushered in by the covenant of grace (Hebrews 10:1), they were stripping away the last remnants of vitality, drawing closer to their demise.

The significant act that the Lord was about to perform before His disciples served as a continuation and culmination of the previous parable of the fig tree. The people of the biblical East appreciated vivid acts that conveyed abstract truths to their passionate minds. Even ancient prophets frequently engaged in such dramatizations to engrave their messages upon the hearts of their audience (1 Samuel 11:30; Jeremiah 19:10; 27:2). Christ the Saviour utilized this same expressive method, aligning with cultural expectations to convey His insights.

Succumbing to physical needs, as Blessed Theophylact noted, “in a special way,” He felt hunger. A solitary fig tree came into view along the road; although it was not the season for figs, the leaves, which typically emerge after the fruit, offered hope of finding either late autumn figs or early spring ones, both of which were highly prized among the inhabitants of Palestine (1 Samuel 30:12). The Lord directed His steps towards this roadside tree, but it is crucial to note, as St. John Chrysostom remarked, that it was not to satisfy His own hunger but rather to impart a significant moral lesson to His disciples. The All-Knowing One was aware of what He would find. Despite it being an early time for harvest, the fig tree was completely barren, bearing no fruit in winter and showing no signs of new figs in summer, just thick leaves covering its branches.

The Lord approached this tree, impressive in its appearance, yet entirely useless and misleading in its fruitlessness—much like the Jewish synagogue, with its leaders, chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees, all blind, leading the blind (Matthew 15:14). This assembly, described in a church hymn as “an unfruitful, withered congregation, cloaked in the foliage of the written law, devoid of the fruits of good works,” mirrored the unproductive fig tree perfectly. The hypocrisy that the Lord had denounced so forcefully was now illustrated before Him and His disciples in a tangible way.

As a warning to the hypocritical leaders and a lesson for His disciples, He pronounced His powerful judgment upon the fig tree, declaring, “Let there be no fruit from thee for ever,” indicating an eternal barrenness. The disciples witnessed the effectiveness of the Master's words as the fig tree withered instantly. This miracle served to impart a moral lesson to the Lord’s closest followers, demonstrating to them that He was also a just judge who condemned all pretense and deceit, urging them to remain steadfast in light of the impending events. St. John Chrysostom noted that it was essential for Him to manifest His justice and retribution, conveying to both His disciples and the Jewish people that while He had the ability to wither His crucifiers, He chose willingly to submit to crucifixion.

When the disciples saw the fig tree had withered, they were astonished and asked, “How could the fig tree dry up?” The Lord redirected this marvel for their spiritual growth, stating, “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it shall happen. And all things, whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”