The next day as they were leaving Bethany he was hungry. Seeing from a distance a fig tree in leaf, he went over to see if he could find anything on it. When he reached it he found nothing but leaves; it was not the time for figs. And he said to it in reply, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” And his disciples heard it. Early in the morning, as they were walking along, they saw the fig tree withered to its roots. Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” Jesus said to them in reply, “Have faith in God. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it shall be done for him. Therefore I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it shall be yours. When you stand to pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions (Mk. 11:12-14, 20-25).”
Jesus’ behavior in cursing the fig tree seems strange but Mark presents it as an act of power. The prophet Hosea wrote, ‘Like grapes in the desert, I found Israel; Like the first fruits of the fig tree, its first to ripen, I looked on your ancestors (Hosea 9:10).’ Jesus would have known that the figs would not be ripe at that time and yet he cursed the tree and it withered to its roots. When Peter drew the withered tree to Jesus’ attention Jesus taught them about the power of prayer. If we have faith in God and believe we can move mountains. The withering of the fig tree was a small demonstration of the power Jesus got from God through prayer. Therefore, whatever the disciples confidently ask for in prayer will be granted them by God as long as they believe they will receive it. Mark then closes this passage with forgiveness similar to Matthew, 'If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions (Mt. 6:14-15).’
Almighty God, cleanse our hearts that we may forgive others who offend us, and look with mercy upon us and forgive our transgressions. Strengthen us in prayer that we may confidently ask in accordance with your will and truly believe that you will grant what we ask. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
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