Written Criticism – Curse of the Fig Tree

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explained the story of the fig tree cursed by Jesus in Mark 11, clarifying that the Lord did not act out of anger or impatience, but to give a symbolic spiritual lesson.

The tree was full of green leaves but bore no fruit, representing outward religion without inner faith—a symbol of the Jewish nation that appeared devout but lacked the true fruits of righteousness and love.

Pope Shenouda traced the symbolism of fig leaves back to Adam, who used them to cover his nakedness after the fall. God, however, replaced them with garments of skin—the result of a sacrifice—signifying that real covering and forgiveness come only through redemption, not appearances.

Thus, fig leaves became a sign of false external covering, while the sacrifice pointed to genuine atonement through Christ. When Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree, He was teaching that leaves without fruit mean spiritual emptiness, and that true faith is shown in inner fruitfulness, not outward show.

His Holiness concluded that God seeks fruitful hearts, not mere appearances of piety.