Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 11:14

"And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it." — Mark 11:14 (ASV)

Jesus addressed the tree directly and by his words performed a miracle of destruction (the only such miracle in the Gospels). It is best seen as an acted-out parable. Jesus’ hunger provides the occasion for his use of this teaching device. The fig tree represents Israel (cf. Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1–4; Nahum 3:12; Zechariah 10:2). The tree is fully leafed out, and in such a state one would normally expect to find fruit. This symbolizes the hypocrisy and sham of the nation of Israel, which made her ripe for the judgment of God.