A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 11:13

"And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs." — Mark 11:13 (ASV)

If haply he might find anything thereon (ε αρα τ ευρησε εν αυτη). This use of ε and the future indicative for purpose (to see if, a sort of indirect question) as in Ac 8:22; 17:27. Jesus was hungry as if he had had no food on the night before after the excitement and strain of the Triumphal Entry. The early figs in Palestine do not get ripe before May or June, the later crop in August. It was not the season of figs, Mark notes. But this precocious tree in a sheltered spot had put out leaves as a sign of fruit. It had promise without performance.