The Cursing of the Fig Tree and Outward Fruitlessness

Upon first entering Jerusalem on the last 8 days of His life, Jesus gives three signs of the type of problems He came to solve. After confronting Israel’s spiritual blindness (triumphal entry) and Israel’s inward corruption (cleansing the Temple), Jesus confronts Israel’s outward fruitlessness (cursing the fig tree). The cursed fig tree represents His judgement of fruitless Israel and stands a contrast for the church on how to grow both their faith and their resultant fruitfulness.