Fig Tree Withered

In the Gospel accounts, Jesus approaches a fig tree full of leaves but bearing no fruit and curses it for its barrenness, causing it to wither immediately from the roots as his disciples watch. This event occurs during the final week of Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, shortly after his triumphal entry, and serves as an enacted parable of divine judgment on outward religiosity without genuine spiritual fruit. The miracle highlights the principle that God expects productive faith from his people, echoing Old Testament imagery of Israel as a fig tree or vineyard subject to judgment for unfaithfulness. It also reinforces Jesus' subsequent teaching on the power of believing prayer and forgiveness as essential to effective faith.