The Fruitless Fig Tree

Matthew 21:18-22

Jesus is hungry LORD desiring fruit; sons of righteousness (Mic 7:1-2)

Jesus sees a single fig tree Israel, as the nation the LORD set apart from the other nations
(Deut 7:6, 14:2)

Fig tree is by the road; the way of Jesus Way of salvation laid out before Israel through Law and
Prophets (Rom 3:21-22); reveals Jesus (Rom 10:4)

Jesus comes to the fig tree LORD visits His people (Messiah in His first coming; Mal 3:1);
He came to His own (Jn 1:11)

Jesus finds nothing on fig tree but leaves The promise of fruit but no fulfillment (Isa 5:1-5); a covering
that conceals death (Gen 3:7); religious system of works

Jesus pronounces judgment on the fig tree: “Let no fruit grow Wicked generation, rooted in false religion, could not
on you ever again” reproduce sons of righteousness; condemned
(Mt 7:15-20, 15:13-14)

Immediately the fig tree withered away Destruction of Jerusalem and temple (70 AD); dispersion of
Jews out of the land (Lk 19:43-44, 21:20-24)