The Parable of the Fig Tree

By

Anthony J. Fejfar, B.A., J.D., Esq., Coif

© Copyright 2008 by Anthony J. Fejfar

In the Christian Gospels there is the story of the Fig Tree, often referred to as a

parable, although Jesus and his disciples were apparently really an active part of the

story. In this story, Jesus and his Disciples are walking by a Fig Tree and Jesus reached

up to grab a fig to eat. There were no figs on the tree. Although it was recognized that

it was not the season for figs to be harvested, Jesus nevertheless cursed the Fig Tree for

being barren. Some time later, Jesus and his disciples returned past the Fig Tree and

found that it had withered and died. What to make of this real life parable?

Well, I argue that the Fig Tree represents Everyman and that Everyman was

cursed because he had made a wrong choice existentially. You see, we all have the

fundamental option of either choosing The Good or Evil. In a World characterized by

relativism this may not always seem apparent, but it is true. You see, the Fig Tree,

symbolizing Everyman, had chosen Evil. One suspects that Jesus was planning to

perform a miracle with the Fig Tree and have it produce fruit out of season. Jesus could

not do this because the Fig Tree had chosen Evil rather than the Good. This is why the

Fig Tree, Everyman, was cursed, even though it was not the time for bearing fruit.