21:19 He saw a fig tree. On the route from Bethany to the city. The fig is common in Palestine.
Found nothing thereon, but leaves. Mark adds that the time of figs was not yet (Mr 11:13); that is, of ripe figs. The green figs ought to have appeared among the leaves in April, though the fruit began ripening in June.
Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. Peter calls this a cursing. It was doomed to death and withered. On the next morning (Tuesday) it was dried up from the roots (Mr 11:21,20). It was a parable in action, illustrating how the fruitless Jewish nation should wither away. It had leaves, but no fruit.
21:18-22 This cursing of the barren fig-tree represents the state of hypocrites in general, and so teaches us that Christ looks for the power of religion in those who profess it, and the savour of it from those that have the show of it. His just expectations from flourishing professors are often disappointed; he comes to many, seeking fruit, and finds leaves only. A false profession commonly withers in this world, and it is the effect of Christ's curse. The fig-tree that had no fruit, soon lost its leaves. This represents the state of the nation and people of the Jews in particular. Our Lord Jesus found among them nothing but leaves. And after they rejected Christ, blindness and hardness grew upon them, till they were undone, and their place and nation rooted up. The Lord was righteous in it. Let us greatly fear the doom denounced on the barren fig-tree.