Mark 11 13

Mark 11:13 kjv

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.

Mark 11:13 nkjv

And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

Mark 11:13 niv

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.

Mark 11:13 esv

And seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see if he could find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.

Mark 11:13 nlt

He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 13 Meaning

Mark 11:13 describes Jesus' encounter with a fig tree near Bethany. Seeing it full of leaves, Jesus approached, expecting to find fruit, yet found none. This verse concludes by stating, "for the time of figs was not yet." This encounter is a powerful prophetic object lesson, illustrating a principle of judgment on spiritual barrenness disguised by outward appearances, foreshadowing events in Jerusalem and the temple. The presence of leaves implied the tree should have had early, edible fruit (paggim), making its barrenness indicative of a deeper issue than simply the main fig season being off.

Mark 11 13 Context

Mark 11:13 is strategically placed in Mark's Gospel. It occurs immediately after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mk 11:1-11) and before His cleansing of the Temple (Mk 11:15-19). This sequence highlights Jesus' actions as not merely historical events but prophetic signs. His initial survey of the Temple in Mk 11:11 sets the stage for a judgment, which begins symbolically with the fig tree's curse on Monday morning, then explicitly with the Temple's cleansing on the same day. The fig tree represents Israel and its religious leaders, appearing to have outward religiosity (leaves) but lacking the expected fruit of true faith, righteousness, and obedience to God. The act of seeking and finding no fruit symbolizes divine inspection and subsequent judgment on spiritual barrenness.

Mark 11 13 Word analysis

• And seeing (Καὶ ἰδών - Kai idōn): Signifies an intentional observation by Jesus, who purposefully approached the tree, indicating an active discernment and an ensuing symbolic act, not a casual glance.
• a fig tree (συκή - sykē): The fig tree (Ficus carica) was common in Palestine and frequently used in prophetic and parables to symbolize Israel (e.g., Jer 8:13; Hos 9:10; Mic 7:1; Lk 13:6-9). Its importance extended to food and shade.
• afar off (ἀπὸ μακρόθεν - apo makrothen): Jesus saw it from a distance, yet recognized it enough to approach with expectation, highlighting His clear intent.
• having leaves (ἔχουσαν φύλλα - echousan phylla): In Palestine, fig trees generally produce leaves in spring, at which point an early crop of small, edible figs (paggim or tafs) would typically be found with them, preceding the main harvest. The presence of leaves therefore suggested the promise of fruit.
• he came (ἦλθεν - ēlthen): Jesus' purposeful approach underscores the deliberate nature of this prophetic act. He was actively seeking fruit.
• if haply he might find any thing thereon (εἴ τι ἄρα εὑρήσει ἐν αὐτῇ - ei ti ara heurēsei en autē): Reveals Jesus' expectation that, based on the leaves, there should be some fruit. The phrasing implies a diligent search and legitimate expectation.
• and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves (καὶ ἐλθὼν ἐπ’ αὐτὴν οὐδὲν εὗρεν εἰ μὴ φύλλα - kai elthōn ep' autēn ouden heuren ei mē phylla): The repeated emphasis on "leaves" and "nothing but" stresses the barrenness. The outward display (leaves) gave a deceptive impression of productivity where none existed.
• for the time of figs was not yet (οὐ γὰρ ἦν καιρὸς σύκων - ou gar ēn kairos sykōn): This is critical. καιρὸς (kairos) refers to the "opportune time" or specific season, not merely chronological time (chronos). While the main fig harvest (summer) was months away, a fig tree with leaves at Passover time (March/April) indicated it should have had edible early figs. Therefore, its having only leaves without any fruit signaled unfulfilled promise or barrenness, rather than an excuse for lacking fruit. The tree's very appearance indicated that it was 'ripe' to offer something.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves": Jesus identifies the symbol, notes its appearance of vitality. This outward show of life, often a metaphor for visible religious practice (like the Temple's activities), sets up the expectation.
  • "he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon": This phrase underlines Jesus' intent: a legitimate search for fruit based on the tree's deceptive appearance. It mirrors God's righteous expectation of fruit from His people.
  • "he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet": This stark contrast emphasizes the barrenness despite outward appearance. The crucial clause "for the time of figs was not yet" is often misunderstood. It explains why the main crop wasn't expected, but implicitly highlights the tree's fault for not bearing early fruit, which should accompany leaves. The tree was a picture of a spiritual state – a show of vitality without the substance.

Mark 11 13 Bonus section

The cursing of the fig tree serves as an enacted parable. Unlike verbal parables, Jesus often performed prophetic acts to convey deep truths, similar to Old Testament prophets (e.g., Jeremiah with the potter's house). This act is not an outburst of temper, but a deliberate sign. Its immediate withering, observed by the disciples later (Mark 11:20-21), confirmed Jesus' divine authority and the effectiveness of faith-filled declarations. The sequence of the fig tree's curse and the Temple cleansing on consecutive days forms an A-B-A' structure: Jesus' judgment on the tree (A), Jesus' judgment on the Temple (B), and the tree's final state discovered and explained (A'). This literary structure emphasizes the connection between the two events as parallel instances of judgment on outward religiosity devoid of inner fruit. The lesson extends beyond historical Israel to any who possess a facade of faith without producing the fruit of righteousness, a warning that genuine faith always expresses itself in fruitful obedience.

Mark 11 13 Commentary

Mark 11:13 encapsulates a pivotal moment in Jesus' public ministry, acting as a profound prophetic act. The barren fig tree, outwardly green but inwardly fruitless, serves as a striking symbol for Israel, particularly its religious leadership and the Temple system. Just as the tree put forth leaves, suggesting fruit was imminent or already present (the early fig crop), so too did the Jewish religious establishment maintain an outward display of piety, ritual, and zeal. Yet, when Jesus, embodying God's expectation, "came" to it, He found no fruit—no genuine spiritual righteousness, justice, or true worship, only barrenness beneath the superficial show. This immediately precedes the Temple cleansing, establishing a parallel: both the fig tree and the Temple, despite their prominence, were found spiritually wanting and thus faced divine judgment. The "time of figs was not yet" isn't an excuse, but highlights the tree's specific deficiency in producing the early, associated fruit, making its leafy appearance misleading and demonstrating a deeper, fundamental unfruitfulness. Jesus’ action underscores God’s expectation of fruitfulness from His covenant people, even if it is not the full harvest (the Messianic Kingdom), and signals the consequence of unfruitfulness: a curse leading to barrenness, illustrating impending judgment on unrepentant Israel.