A Barren Fig Tree - Mark 11:13

Mark wrote how, “Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry”, and in chapter eleven and verse thirteen of his book, Mark shared how Jesus, “seeing a fig tree afar off … found nothing but leaves” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon:” Mark began with the words, “and seeing a fig tree” which means “and observing and noticing a tree that bears fig fruit” “afar off” or “from a distance away” “having leaves” which means “possessing sprouts and leaves”, “he came” or “Jesus approached”, “if haply” which means “whether then and therefore” “he might find any thing thereon” or “Jesus would discover, detect and recognize any fruit upon the tree”. Mark shared how Jesus saw a “fig tree” from a distance and approached it because He wanted to discover some “fruit” on it.

The verse continues, “and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.” Mark added the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he came to it” or “Jesus approached the fig tree”, “he found nothing but leaves” which means “Jesus discovered and noticed there was no fruit and only sprouts and leaves upon it”; “for the time” or “because, since and on account that the due measure whether smaller or larger” “of figs” which means “pertaining to the fig fruit” “was not yet” or “had not arrived at this time”. Mark shared how Jesus found only “leaves” upon the “fig tree” because the “due measure of time” for “figs” had not yet arrived.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus was looking for “fruit” to eat on this “fig tree”, but He only discovered “leaves”. Jesus was “hungry”, and He was ready to “eat”, however, this “fig tree” bore nothing of beneficial sustenance. The same may be said of people who trust in Jesus and become like “fig trees” “bear fruit” so Jesus may partake of their lives. First, they begin a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. Afterward, they begin to “bear fruit” in His Kingdom so that He and others may receive spiritual nourishment and life through them. (See John 15:4, 8) Those who are wise will study the scriptures to find how many references there are to “bearing fruit” in God's Kingdom, and lest they be as this “fig tree” with only leaves, let them learn what it means to bear fruit for God.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus says, “no man eat fruit of you hereafter forever” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".