MATTHEW 21:18–22, THE CURSING OF THE FIG TREE
TRUE FRUIT OR EMPTY LEAVES: FAITH THAT PRAYS AND BEARS RESULTS
Introduction
After His triumphal entry and the cleansing of the Temple, Jesus returns to the city in the morning. The events of Holy Week are intensifying, and Jesus is revealing not only who He is, but what God expects from His people. The cursing of the fig tree is one of the most striking actions of Jesus because it appears severe at first glance. Yet it is a prophetic sign, not a petty reaction. Jesus uses the fig tree to expose the danger of a religion that looks alive outwardly but produces no fruit inwardly. Then He turns this sign into a lesson on faith: the disciple who trusts God, perseveres without wavering, and prays with faith will see God act powerfully. The passage calls the Church—and each believer—to move from leaves to fruit, from appearance to conversion, from empty ritual to living faith.
Bible Passage (Matthew 21:18–22)
When Jesus was going back to the city in the morning, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went over to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again.” And immediately the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed and said, “How was it that the fig tree withered immediately?” Jesus said to them in reply, “Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
Background
This episode occurs in the days leading to the Passion, right after Jesus cleansed the Temple. In the Gospel flow, the fig tree becomes a symbolic mirror of the Temple leadership and of Israel’s spiritual condition: outward signs of religion without the interior fruit of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. In the Old Testament, the fig tree often symbolizes Israel’s covenant life and its fruitfulness—or its failure. Jesus’ action functions like the symbolic actions of the prophets, who used visible signs to announce God’s judgment and to call for repentance. Immediately after, Jesus teaches about faith and prayer, showing that God desires not barren religiosity but living trust that bears fruit.
Opening Life Connection
Many people today can appear spiritually “green” while being inwardly dry: outward practice without love, religious routines without conversion, words of faith without works of mercy. We may have leaves—busy schedules, ministry roles, traditions, devotions—but still avoid repentance, reconciliation, generosity, or integrity. This Gospel challenges every believer: are we bearing fruit that matches our faith? And when we face obstacles, do we pray with confident trust, or do we waver and give up?
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
“He was hungry”
Jesus’ hunger is real, but it is also symbolic. He hungers for the fruit of faith in His people—repentance, justice, mercy, and love. The Lord still hungers for our holiness.
“Seeing a fig tree by the road”
The fig tree stands in plain sight, like a life that looks promising from a distance. It invites expectation.
“He found nothing on it except leaves”
Leaves suggest life, but fruit is the purpose. This reveals the tragedy of spiritual appearance without spiritual substance—religion without transformation.
“May no fruit ever come from you again”
This is not spite; it is a prophetic sentence. A tree that refuses its purpose becomes a warning sign. Jesus is confronting sterile religion that blocks God’s plan.
“Immediately the fig tree withered”
The sudden withering shows the seriousness and urgency of the message: when hearts harden, barrenness can set in quickly. It also reveals Jesus’ authority as Lord of creation.
“How was it that the fig tree withered immediately?”
The disciples focus on the “how.” Jesus moves them from amazement to meaning, from spectacle to spiritual lesson.
“If you have faith and do not waver”
Faith here is not optimism; it is steady trust in God. Wavering happens when fear, resentment, pride, or self-reliance displaces surrender.
“Even if you say to this mountain… it will be done”
The mountain represents what seems immovable—sin, injustice, addiction, fear, hardened relationships, impossible situations. Jesus teaches that God’s power exceeds our limits when we pray with faith according to His will.
“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive”
This is not a guarantee for selfish desires. It is a promise that God hears authentic prayer rooted in trust and aligned with His saving purpose. Faith-filled prayer opens the heart to receive what God desires to give.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
In biblical symbolism, fig trees often represent Israel’s spiritual health and covenant fidelity. The prophets used images of barren trees and fruitlessness to describe a people who maintained external worship while neglecting justice and mercy. During Jesus’ time, the Temple was the center of religious life, but Jesus had just exposed corruption within it. The fig tree sign fits that prophetic tradition: it warns that outward religious “leaves” cannot replace the fruit God seeks—faithfulness, righteousness, and compassion.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that faith must be “living” and expressed in charity and good works. External religious practice is good and necessary, but it must lead to conversion, holiness, and love of neighbor. This passage also affirms the power of prayer—especially persevering prayer rooted in faith. The sacraments nourish this fruitfulness: the Eucharist strengthens charity, and Reconciliation removes what blocks growth. God desires not the appearance of holiness but the reality of it.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Teresa of Ávila warned against a spiritual life that remains on the surface—many words, little transformation. She taught that real prayer produces real change: humility, patience, charity, and courage. Her reform of Carmel shows what happens when faith and prayer become fruitful: obstacles that looked like “mountains” moved through perseverance and trust in God.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel calls us to examine whether we are bearing fruit: forgiveness in relationships, honesty in daily life, compassion for the poor, purity of heart, fidelity in prayer, and humility in service. It warns against performing religion while resisting conversion. It also encourages believers facing “mountains” to pray with faith: intercede without giving up, trust God’s timing, and remain steady without wavering. God may not remove every cross immediately, but He will never ignore faith-filled prayer offered with a sincere heart.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Jesus comes to His people seeking fruit. He gives Himself as the Bread of Life so that our lives may bear the fruits of the Spirit. Receiving Christ calls us to become what we receive—self-giving love. If our Communion does not lead to conversion, mercy, and charity, we risk becoming like the fig tree: leaves without fruit. At the altar, we also learn faith-filled prayer: “Lord, I am not worthy,” and yet we receive, trusting His mercy.
Messages / Call to Conversion
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Ask the Lord to reveal where your life has “leaves” without fruit—religious appearance without conversion.
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Commit to concrete fruits of repentance: forgiveness, charity, justice, and integrity.
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Pray with faith without wavering, especially when facing “mountains” in family, parish, or personal struggles.
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Let the sacraments—especially Confession and the Eucharist—restore fruitfulness where sin has dried the heart.
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Remember that God desires not perfect appearances but faithful hearts that bear lasting fruit.
Outline for Preachers
• Context: Holy Week, Temple cleansing, and prophetic warning
• Life connection: outward religion without interior conversion
• Key phrases: “nothing but leaves,” “faith and do not waver,” “mountain… thrown into the sea”
• Fig tree symbolism in Israel’s covenant life
• Jewish prophetic tradition of fruitlessness as judgment
• Catholic teaching: living faith, conversion, sacraments, and prayer
• Saintly illustration: prayer that produces fruit
• Application: fruits of repentance, perseverance in prayer, trust in God’s will
• Eucharistic connection: Communion that must become conversion
• Key messages and call to conversion
