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A literal reading of the gospels tells us that Jesus cursed the fig tree in early spring, just before the Jewish Passover festival. At this time, the tree could not have been in fruit. However, we also note that in the procession to Jerusalem, Mark said that people spread leafy branches* in the way, whereas just prior to Passover is too early in spring for leafy branches (except palms). This gives us two separate unseasonal events. An explanation of one could provide an explanation for the other.
The Jews observed Sukkoth in Autumn (Fall), when worshippers processed through Jerusalem and in the Temple, waving in their right hands something called a lulab, which was a bunch of leafy branches made of willow, myrtle and palm. As they waved these branches in that procession, the worshippers recited words from Psalm 118, the psalm normally used at Sukkoth. Among these words were "Save us, we beseech you, O Lord." Save us in Hebrew is hosianna or hosanna. This is typically followed by "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. (Ps 118:25-6)." Compare this to Mark 11:9: "And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Mark tranfers the Sukkoth traditions from autumnto the Passover season and adapts them to the Palm Sunday story. If we take the curse of the fig tree and the Palm Sunday tradition back to the Sukkoth season, then they are both in the correct season. We can only speculate why the author of Marktransposed the seasons in this way, but perhaps the story of cursing the fig tree was intended to alert initiates about the hidden change of seasons.
Footnote
* The authors of Matthew and Luke realised that the season was wrong for leafy branches and simply avoided describing them as leafy, but otherwise copied Mark in having the multitude wave branches. John's Gospel actually says "palm branches".
The KJV Bible makes Mark conform with the other gospels by avoiding the use of the word 'leafy', but other English translations, such as NAB, include the original text:
(KJV) And many spread their garments in the way; and others cut down branches off the trees and strawed them in the way.
Compare:
(NAB) Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.
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Did Jesus committed sin when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruits out of season?
The cursing of the fig tree is often interpreted as a symbolic act to demonstrate the consequences of spiritual barrenness. It is not viewed as a sin on Jesus' part, but rather a lesson for his disciples. Jesus used parables and actions like this to convey deeper spiritual truths to his followers.
Which disciple did Jesus see sitting undeer a fig tree?
Nathanael was sitting under a fig tree when Jesus saw him, as mentioned in the Gospel of John (John 1:48). Jesus remarked that he saw Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip called him.
Jesus told Nathanael that he had seen him before Where did Jesus see him?
Jesus saw Nathanael while he was under the fig tree before they physically met. This demonstrated Jesus's divine knowledge and ability to see beyond what is visible to others.
Which disciple did Jesus see under the fig tree?
The man Jesus saw under the fig tree was Nathanael. You will find this story in John 1:43-51. 43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." 44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." 46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip. 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." 48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." 50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." 51He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
What is the significance of the sycamore tree in the bible?
In the Bible, the sycamore tree is mentioned in the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus passing by. This tree symbolizes Zacchaeus' eagerness to see Jesus and his willingness to overcome obstacles in order to meet Him. It also represents a turning point in Zacchaeus' life, as he ended up repenting and following Jesus after their encounter.
How did Jesus take care for God's creations?
Forgive your enemies and love your neighbor.
Did Jesus committed sin when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruits out of season?
The cursing of the fig tree is often interpreted as a symbolic act to demonstrate the consequences of spiritual barrenness. It is not viewed as a sin on Jesus' part, but rather a lesson for his disciples. Jesus used parables and actions like this to convey deeper spiritual truths to his followers.
What was the cursed fig tree a symbol of?
A symbol of Israel
What happened to the fig tree after Jesus cursed it for not bearing fruit?
After Jesus cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit, it withered and dried up from the roots overnight. This event was meant to symbolize the importance of spiritual fruitfulness and the consequences of hypocrisy. It serves as a lesson about the need for genuine faith and living a fruitful life.
What Jesus mean by the parable the withered Fig Tree in the Bible?
In the parable of the withered fig tree, Jesus uses the tree to symbolize Israel's spiritual barrenness and lack of faith. By withering the fig tree, Jesus was illustrating the importance of genuine faith and demonstrating the consequences of superficial religiosity. The parable teaches the need for authentic belief and fruitful action in one's spiritual life.
What angered Jesus the most?
One of the rare times that Jesus got angry was outside the Temple where he destroyed the moneychanger's booths for conducting business on the Sabbath.A:The most striking example of irrational anger displayed by Jesus was when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season (Mark 11:12-14).
Who did god curse for being fruitless?
God did not curse anyone for being fruitless. Jesus cursed a fig tree for being fruitless. People often thought that women who were unable to have children as being cursed by God.
What tree did Jesus cause to wither up?
It was a fig tree.
Who was seen by jesus under the fig tree?
Jesus saw his future disciple Barthalemow under a fig tree. His friend Philip (one of Jesus's 12 disciples) brought Bartholomew to Jesus.
Why do the fruit come before the fig tree leaves?
There is a myth that the fig tree is cursed. It is untrue, in fact it is reason the fig is considered scientifically a bud and not a fruit. This is reason most figs bloom along with the leaves.
Who was Nathaniel in The Bible and what did he do?
Nathaniel was sitting under a fig tree , when Philip called him to meet jesus. But Jesus had noticed him sitting under that fig tree first.
Is the verse Mark 11 v 14 correct when Jesus said May no one ever eat fruit from you again?
Certainly, the episode in which Jesus cursed the fig tree, for not providing him fruit out of season, shows him at his most irrational. It would be easier to believe that this episode never really happened, but that Mark intended it to be read symbolically rather than literally. MacDonald and others see a parallel in a Homeric episode that might throw light on why 'Mark' had Jesus curse the fig tree for not bearing figs out of season. Odysseus entered a great city in a similarly humble way as Jesus entered Jerusalem and one of the marvels he observed was fig trees bearing fruit in all seasons. They ask whether Mark was reversing this detail from Homer by having Jesus symbolically use the fig tree to picture the unworthiness of Jerusalem to continue in security. As Mark would have known, Jerusalem would soon be destroyed by the Romans.
