The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 2 — Section 314

Ol'<'hard (Dent. :n:iii. 24, 25) ; but thie tree, event, with its eurrouudinga nnd rcsuHs, plMed where it was, seemed to be oommon U WM a moral necessity that what had r,roperty, belonging to no private owner. incurred Ohrist's censure should perish : The sigllt of the leaves thereon, Ill! St. Mark the spiritual controlled the materie.l: the tells us, attracted the notice of Christ, who higher overbore the lower. Thus the belrnld with pleasure the prospeot of re- designed teaching we.a placed in visible lieving his long nbst.inenoe with the refresh- sl1e.po before the eyes, and silently uttered ment of cool and juicy fruit. Ke OIi.Iile to it. its important lesson. It lias been rema.1ked Knowing the nature of the tree, and that (by Neander) that we are not to suppose under some oircumstauocs the fruit ripens that the tree thus handled wns previously before the leaves are fully out, J csuo altogether sound and healthy. Its show naturally expected to find on it some figs of leaves at an nnusuai period without fruit fit to eat. F'urtber, besides the fruit which may point to some abnorme.l development comes to maturity in the usual way during of activity which was consequent upon the summer, there are often late figs pro- some radice.l defect. Had it been in vigoroll8 duced in autumn which hang on the tree health, it would not he.ve been e. fitting ,luring winter, and ripen nt the rMwaken- symbol of the Jewish Church; nor would ing of vegetation in the spring. The vigour it have corresponded with the idel\ which of this particular tree was apparently proved Christ designed to bring to the notice of by the lnx11riauce of its foliage, and it his apostles. There was alree.dy some migbi reasonably be expected to retain process at work which would have issued in some of it.a winter produce. Found nothing decay, and Christ's curse merely accelerated thereon, but leaves only. It was all outward this natural result. This is considered to show, promise without performance, seem- be the only instance in whfoh our Lord ing p1·ecocity with uu adequate results. exerted his miraculous power in destruction: There is no question here of Christ's omni- all his other actions were beneficent, saving, science being at fault. He acted as a man gracious. The drowning of the swine· at would act; he was not deceived himself, Gade.re. was only permitted for a wise nor did he deceive the apostles, thongh purpose: it was not commanded or inflicted they at first misapprehended his purpose. by him. The whole tre.naaction in our text The "hole action was symbolical, and was is mysterious. Tho.t the Son of man should meant so to appear. In strict propriety of show wrath against • senseless tree, as a conduct, as a me.n led by the appearance of tree, is, of course, not conceivable. There ihe tree might act, he carried out the was an apparent unfitness, if not injustice, figure, at the same time showing, by his in the proceeding, which o.t once demon- treatment of this ina.n.im.a.fo object, that he stre.ted that the tree was not the real had something higher in view, and that he object of the action-that something more does not mea.n that which his outwe.rd important was in view. Christ does not conduct seemed to imply. He is enacting treat trees e.a moral agents, responsible for a. parable where all the parts e.re in due life and e.ction. He uses inanimate objects keeping, and all he.ve their twofold signifi- to convey lessons to men, dealing with ca.lion in tLe world of nature and the world them according to his good pleasure, even of grace. The hunger is real, the tree is his supreme will, which is the law by which real, the expectation of fruit legitimate, they are controlled. In themselves they tl,e barrenness disappointing and criminal; have no fault and iacur no punishment, the spiritual side, however, is left to be but they a.re tree.ted in such e. way as t.o inferred, and, as we shall see, only one of profit the nobler cree.tures of God's hand. mauy possible lessons is drawn from the 'fhere may he.ve been two reasons for result of the incident. Let no fruit grow Christ's conduct which were not set promi- on thee (let there be ,io fruit from thee) nently forward e.t the time. First, he henceforward for ever. Such is the sentence desired to show his power, his absolute passed on this ostentatious tree. Christ control, over material forces, so that, in addresses it as if replying to the profession what was about to happen t.o him, his made by its show of leaves. It had the se.p apostles might be sure the.t he suffered of life, it bad power to produce luxuriant . not through wealmesa or compulsion, but leav1:s; therefore it might e.nd ought to bece.use he willed t.o have it so. This have borne fruit. It vaunted itself as being would prepare his followers for his own superior to it.a neighbours, e.nd the boast and their 0011..dng trials. Then there was was utterly empty. Pre&entl7 (1ra.pa.XJm/14) another gree.t lesson taught by the sign. the fig tree withered away. The process The fig tree is e. symbol of the JewiRh we.a doubtless gradual. commencing at Church. The prophets had ulled both ii Christ's word, e.nd continuing till the tree and the vine in this connection (comp. Hoe. died ; but St. MaUhew complete, the ix. 10), s.nd our Lord himself me.kes an account e.t once, giving in one pioture the unmistakable e.llmion in hill parable at on. xxr.1-46.J THE GOSPEL AC<JORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, 919