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PER288
The fig tree is withered
The day after Jesus cursed the fig tree, the disciples discover the tree completely withered. Jesus takes the opportunity to teach about the power of faith and the importance of forgiveness. Beyond this teaching, the fig tree symbolizes Israel in the Scriptures, and its withering foreshadows the judgment that would fall on the nation forty years later with the destruction of the Temple. Faith and forgiveness remain the unshakable values that Jesus puts forward.
Matthew 21.18-22 (King James Version) :Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.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.And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org