And seeing from a distance a leafy fig tree, He went to see if perhaps He might find something on it. When He came near it, He found nothing except leaves, because it was not the season for figs.
The leafy fig tree, by its appearance, promised fruit, but when He came near it became clear that it was empty. Here the fig tree becomes a living parable about Israel’s spiritual condition. The people had a temple, sacrifices, feasts, knowledge of the Law, and an outward religious appearance, but Christ came and did not find the fruit that God required. The saying “It was not the season for figs” does not contradict the judgment, because such abundance of leaves was usually a sign of fruit, or at least a promise of fruit. The tree outwardly proclaimed what it did not actually have. This is a warning for every believer and every church: outward religious beauty is nothing if, when Christ draws near, He does not find the fruit of repentance, love, faith, and holiness.