There are three parables in the Gospels about Fig Trees and we’re going to cover them all here. I’ll refer to them as the Parable of the Budding Fig Tree, the Barren Fig Tree, and the Cursed Fig Tree.
The Parable of the Budding Fig Tree
The first, and more common, Fig Tree Parable is the one included in three of the four Gospels. It’s in Matthew 24:30, Mark 13:28, and Luke 21:29. This one is the Parable of the Budding Fig Tree, whose branches are tender and buds are appearing. CLICK to go directly there!
The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
The second Parable of the Fig Tree is included in one Gospel, Luke 13:6. It is most commonly known as the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree; a tree which has not been producing fruit for some time. CLICK to go directly there!
The Parable of the Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus
The third Parable of the Fig Tree is not a parable per se, but an actual event regarding a fig tree. In this story of the Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus, Jesus curses the fig tree that has no fruit.
There are life lessons for us in it, so it’s included here. This story is the Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus and is included in two Gospels, Matthew 21:18 and Mark 11:12. CLICK to go directly there!
Parable of the Budding Fig Tree
Parable of the Fig Tree Matthew 24 32 35 (Budding Fig Tree)
āNow learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Parable of the Fig Tree Meaning
This Parable of the Budding Fig Tree tells us that just as there are signs in nature as to when the seasons will change (as in the budding of the trees), so too will there be signs before Christ’s second coming and final judgment.
Jesus described what some of those signs would be: the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. (Matthew 24:29) He urges us to be aware and be ready.
It’s up to each of us to have our hearts aligned with Christ when that time comes.
Parable of the Budding Fig Tree Life Lessons
1. The End Will Come
It sounds ominous – and it is! There really will be an end of the world as we know it at some point. Jesus wanted us to know the signs, so we can be prepared for it.
Even if we don’t live until the end of the world, we will face the same judgment when we die.
God has His arms open wide for all of us and there’s nothing He would like more than for everyone to turn to Him.
Unfortunately, that won’t be the case, and it’s at the final judgment when those who are welcomed to God’s heavenly home will be sorted from those who aren’t.
The choice is completely ours.
2. The Ways of the World are a Lie
It’s so tempting to follow the ways of the world and forget about the life God’s calling us to live. After all, the ways of the world are much more exciting, fulfilling, and happy, aren’t they?
Unfortunately, many people think that’s true, but it’s not!
Instead of being disgruntled that God has rules we’re supposed to follow (for our own good), anyone who chooses instead to turn to God now would find the most fulfilling life possible as a follower of Christ.
If you’re putting off Christ’s calling, you’re missing out on experiencing the most life has to offer.
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
Parable of the Fig Tree Luke 13: 6-9 – Barren Fig Tree
Then he told this parable: āA man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, āFor three years now Iāve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and havenāt found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?ā
āāSir,ā the man replied, āleave it alone for one more year, and Iāll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.āā
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Meaning
The Parable of the Fig Tree sets the expectation that God expects His people to bear fruit. That means He expects us to act upon our love for Him rather than just say empty words and promises.
He wants to see results in our actions. He wants to see us following His commandments and loving people as He asked us to.
When we don’t bear fruit, He offers patience and grace. He gives us time to change. He nudges us and nurtures us and does what He can to encourage us to bear fruit.
The fruit of our Spirit that would demonstrate our love of God are love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Parable of the Barren Fig Tree Life Lessons
1. The Choice of Walking with God is Ours
God has shown amazing love and patience in the Bible. As one huge example, He sent Jesus to save us when humans proved too sinful to be worthy of God’s Kingdom on our own.
He’s also proven that His patience has limits. He flooded the Earth for a restart, for one thing.
We can count on God’s complete love and understanding of our sinfulness. When we repent and turn to Him, He accepts us.
But if we choose to walk away from God, He will not force us to love Him, and He will allow us to cut ties with Him. Our behavior communicates our choice loudly and clearly.
2. We are Expected to Bear Fruit
Bearing fruit means showing evidence of something good. When an apple tree bears fruit, it has big, juicy apples hanging from its branches. God expects that if we love Him, we will bear fruit!
Why? Because if we really love God, we would live the way He’s instructed us to live and try to improve in ways we fall short.
So, what outward signs would we show if we were living by the commandments? What fruit would we be bearing? The fruit of the Spirit – love,Ā joy, peace,Ā forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,Ā gentleness, and self-control.
Bearing fruit for God isn’t optional! Yes, He’s patient, but He’s expecting to see your fruit!
3. God Wants Us with Him
In the parable, the vineyard owner wanted to cut down the barren tree because it had already been given time to grow but was still not bearing fruit. The caretaker convinced the man to let him nurture the tree to see if he could encourage fruit before cutting the tree down.
God loves us with the most powerful agape love that exists. He gives us chances. He does everything He can to keep us with Him – but never forcing us.
Our Heavenly Father is offering you the path of eternal salvation by walking alongside Him. You just have to turn to Him.
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Parable of the Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus
Parable of the Fig Tree Matthew 21: 18-19 (Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus)
Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, āMay you never bear fruit again!ā Immediately the tree withered.
Why did Jesus Curse the Fig Tree When it Wasn’t in Season?
We can understand why Jesus might have been upset with the fig tree for not bearing fruit during the fig season, but in the version from Mark 11:13, it says, Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
So if it wasn’t in season, why would Jesus have cursed the fig tree for not having figs?
Jesus’ words and message were intended for the hypocrites (then and today).
At the time, this message was directed to the Jewish leaders, who claimed to be devout, but Jesus knew their words were hollow and their hearts were hardened. They claimed to be bearing fruit – meaning devout to God – but in reality, they were devout in lip-service only.
Their hearts were far from God. They were trying to find ways to persecute Jesus because He had been calling them out on their hypocrisy.
Even though it wasn’t the season for figs, the hypocrites still faked their piety. They assumed all their ‘showy leaves’ would fool the people, even though they really weren’t bearing any fruit.
God can see past all the showy leaves. He sees into our hearts. We can pretend to be a lot of things, but there’s no fooling Him.
By cursing the fig tree, Jesus was showing them He saw through their fakeness.
Parable of the Fig Tree Cursed by Jesus Lessons
1. God Sees Past the Showy Leaves
The fig tree was covered in leaves, but wasn’t bearing fruit. From a distance, the tree looked amazing, but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t able to provide the nourishment the hungry people needed.
We have to be careful not to idolize showy leaves. We tend to get preoccupied with the ways of the world. They convince us that the things we can see are the most important things.
We want to ‘outshine’ our neighbors and friends. We start caring more about the things we have and the way we come across to others than about the fruit we’re bearing for Christ.
These may be things related to our looks, our social status, where our children go to school or college, the size of our house, the emblem on the front of our car, or the size of our bank account.
None of these showy leaves matter to God. In fact, they only distract us from bearing the fruit He expects us to bear.
2. God Only Cares About What’s in Our Hearts
When we live for God and keep His Will for our lives in mind, our relationship with Him is rooted in our hearts and grows from there. It’s in our hearts that He speaks to us and it’s there that we reveal to Him who we really are. It’s this part of us that matters the most to Jesus.
We can’t hide what lies within us from God! If that thought makes you nervous, you probably have work to do to get your heart aligned with God’s Word and His Will.
He already knows the condition of your heart, so don’t hesitate to ask Him to guide you to become the person He intended you to be. He wants to help you draw closer to Him!
More Parables!
Do you love the parables as much as I do? You may enjoy reading life lessons on these others (listed below), these activities for adults and children, or this list of Parables and Meanings. More parable lessons are underway. See them all HERE!
Do you love journaling? Does writing down your personal reflections help you process your thoughts more fully? Perhaps these Christian writing journals will be helpful as you reflect on the life lessons of the parables.
- 6 Lessons from Mustard Seed Faith
- 4 Parable of the Hidden Treasure Lessons
- 5 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Talents
- 3 Parable of the Lost Sheep Lessons
- The Parable of the Sower explained – which soil are you like?
- 4 Life Lessons from The Parable of the Ten Virgins
- 3 Life Lessons from the Parable of the Rich Fool
- 3 Lessons from the Parable of the Vineyard Workers
- Parable of the Lost Coin Spiritual Lessons
- The Parable of Two Sons – 3 Spiritual Life Lessons
- The Parable of the Weeds – 4 Spiritual Lessons
- The Parable of the Persistent Widow
- Lessons from the Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector
- The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price Lessons
- The Parable of the Great Banquet Lessons
- Parable of the Shrewd Manager Life Lessons
- Parable of the Yeast Life Lessons for Today
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant Life Lessons
- Parable of the Wedding Feast Life Lessons
- Parable of the Net Life Lessons
- The Parable of the Growing Seed
- The Parable of the Tenants Life Lessons
- Parable of the Fig Tree Life Lessons
- Lazarus and the Rich Man Parable Life Lessons
- Parable of the Good Shepherd Bible Lessons
- Parable of the Wineskins Spiritual Lessons
- Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders Lessons
- Parable of the Faithful Servant Life Lessons
- Parable of the Lamp Life Lessons
- Parable of the Two Debtors Life Lessons
- Parable of the Householder Life Lessons
- Parable of the Friend at Midnight Life Lessons
- Parable of the Master and Servant Life Lessons
- Parable of the Watchful Servants Life Lessons
- Take the Lowest Seat Parable Life Lessons
- The Parable of the Prodigal Son Life Lessons
- 5 Parable of the Good Samaritan Lessons
- The Cost of Being a Disciple Life Lessons
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Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay Fig Tree Budding Branch
