Matthew 21:18 – 22

The Withered Fig Tree

18 Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.

19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

21 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.

22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Jesus was a divine being in a human body, he felt all of the sensations of being human, not only was he tempted in all ways known to man (Hebrews 4:15), but he had fleshly needs as well, he became hungry.

Why did Jesus curse a tree which was not in season for producing fruit? The Jewish historian, Josephus, in his writing said “and old figs which he expected, and which even with us commonly hang on the trees all winter long.” Jesus cursed a healthy tree, it had fresh leaves, but it had no fruit .from the previous growing season hanging on it as was common.

The tree gave Jesus another opportunity to teach his disciples a lesson by performing a miracle in the cursing of the tree.

The tree died immediately and began withering away.

According to the remarks in (Mark 11:20 – 21) the disciples did not see the full withering process until the next day, that statement does not conflict with the statement here.

Jesus is speaking to His 12 disciples in this verse, they were given powers by the Holy Spirit which the rest of us Christians do not have. He is speaking of powers of which their faith at full strength allows them to use. He never promised us as Christians to be able to move mountains or wither trees. He has promised us certain blessings. (Matthew 6:33) But not to the extent of the apostles.

This promise of answered prayers also apply to the apostles only, we do not have this promise given to us. We do have the promise as faithful Christians who have our faith in God that God will give us what we ask if it agrees with His will.(1 John 5:14 [Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.])