Mark 11:13

Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus approaches a fig tree from a distance after departing Bethany with His disciples. He inspects the tree for edible fruit while traveling with His followers.

The words — ἰδὼν (idōn) means "having seen," indicating Jesus' initial visual detection of the tree. ἔχουσαν (echousan) translates to "having," specifying that the tree possessed foliage but no fruit.

The thread — The account runs parallel to Matthew 21:19, where Jesus encounters a fig tree and pronounces a curse. The imagery aligns with Isaiah 5:7, which identifies Israel as God's vineyard, and Luke 13:6, which introduces a parable of a barren fig tree.

Why it lands — The text states that Jesus found only leaves on a tree that was not in its natural fruiting season. It requires the reader to note the factual observation before applying any theological inference about judgment or spiritual readiness.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 21:19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered.
Luke 13:6 Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any.
Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.
Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
1 Samuel 6:9 but keep watching it. If it goes up the road to its homeland, toward Beth-shemesh, it is the LORD who has brought on us this great disaster. But if it does not, then we will know that it was not His hand that punished us and that it happened by chance.”
Luke 10:31 Now by chance a priest was going down the same road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
Ruth 2:3 So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech.