answersLogoWhite

0

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.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Religious Studies

Did Jesus committed sin when he cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruits out of season?

The incident of the Fig tree is written in Mark 11:13;14, 20-21 & Matthew 21:19-20."And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. ... And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away."If Jesus cursed the fig tree to die and if cursing is considered as sin, then Jesus sinned when he cursed the fig tree. ---- However, "cursing" is not listed as a sin anywhere in the Bible. Therefore, Jesus did not sin. This is the crux of the question.


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 him under the fig tree (John 1:48).


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?

The sycamore tree is Ficus sycamorus, a type of small edible fig that grows in Israel and Egypt. It is best known Biblically as the tree that Zacchaeus climbed in order to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Related Questions

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 incident of the Fig tree is written in Mark 11:13;14, 20-21 & Matthew 21:19-20."And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. ... And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away."If Jesus cursed the fig tree to die and if cursing is considered as sin, then Jesus sinned when he cursed the fig tree. ---- However, "cursing" is not listed as a sin anywhere in the Bible. Therefore, Jesus did not sin. This is the crux of the question.


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?

Jesus used the fig tree as a type or example of the Jewish religious leaders of His day. As with the fig tree which Jesus found no fruit on, so to with the religious leaders of His day. Jesus found no fruit or righteousness in them. So as He cursed the fig tree and it withered so too Jesus condemned the so-called righteousness of the scribes and pharisees. Their righteousnes was outward only for men to see and not a righteousness of the heart, a righteousness towards God who sees our hearts and out motives.


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 is the significance of the fig tree in biblical teachings?

The fig tree is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent Israel and its spiritual condition. In the New Testament, Jesus cursed a barren fig tree as a metaphor for the spiritual barrenness of the religious leaders of his time. This story serves as a warning about the importance of bearing spiritual fruit and the consequences of hypocrisy and unfaithfulness.


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.


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.


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.