Matthew 21:19 Meaning and Explanation
“And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Finding a leafy fig tree with no fruit, Jesus pronounces that it will bear no fruit again, and it withers at once.
What Does Matthew 21:19 Mean?
Seeing a fig tree full of leaves, Jesus approaches expecting fruit but finds none. He speaks a word over it that no fruit will grow on it forever, and the tree immediately withers. The leaves had promised what the tree could not deliver.
This is a living parable. A tree displaying foliage but bearing no fruit pictures the danger of outward show without inner reality. God looks for the fruit that matches the profession. The withering is a sobering sign that empty appearance cannot satisfy or endure. Jesus calls His followers to a faith that produces genuine fruit, not merely the leaves of religion without its substance.
Matthew 21:19 in the Original Language
suke (συκῆ), 'fig tree' -- a tree whose fruit often appeared before or with its leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 21:19
What does Matthew 21:19 mean?
Finding a leafy fig tree with no fruit, Jesus pronounces that it will bear no fruit again, and it withers at once.