Signature discussion II

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I feel sorry for the fig tree.

You do realize that this isn't a literal story, the fig tree is to represent the Temple which is becoming "unholy" in Jerusalem. That's why the author Mark throws in the story of the Cleansing of the Temple in between the two fig tree stories.
 
You do realize that this isn't a literal story, the fig tree is to represent the Temple which is becoming "unholy" in Jerusalem.

Or it is a literal story, but fig trees die all the time. Does all death bother you? What about the microscopic organisms that die by the intestineful?
 
I just changed my Shakespearean quote;

"If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended;
that you have but slumbered here, while these visions did appear..."


to a quote from Bruce Springsteen, basically with the same concept.

"Someday we'll look back on this, and it will all seem funny..."
 
You do realize that this isn't a literal story, the fig tree is to represent the Temple which is becoming "unholy" in Jerusalem. That's why the author Mark throws in the story of the Cleansing of the Temple in between the two fig tree stories.

It's repeated in the other gospels, but there aren't two incidents.

But you're saying that a description of what Jesus did, in plain text, is not to be taken literally? I've never seen anyone say that before
 
I reject the answer given by Plotinus and stick by the image of Jesus as a Figtreeophobe

And not the sharpest tool in the shack for "he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs".
 
And you, of course, know far more about fig farming than anyone who lived in the Middle East in the 1st Century.
Nope, it sais so in the Bible so it's true :)

And you're not doing JC a favour by mentioning everyone else would know about figseason ;) Furthermore the Figtree operated within Gods specifications and gets wasted as a result. :(
 
No, the basic interpretation that I have seen most often is this:

It was, indeed, before fig season. Jesus was as likely to know that as anyone. Hoever, apparently some fig trees either keep some figs over from winter or fruit early. Thus, if they have already grown leaves early, they are likely to have fruit as well. This fig tree, however, in what is seen as an analogy to the Israelite nation of the tme, made a great show of being ripe (ie had leaves early) but no fruit to back it up. So Jesus a) showed that he has power to destroy as well as create and b) showed what he thinks of those who make great claims to something (be it ripeness or piety) but don't actually have it.

And like I said, every single other fig tree from that era is dead by now as well, why lament the one?
 
It's repeated in the other gospels, but there aren't two incidents.

But you're saying that a description of what Jesus did, in plain text, is not to be taken literally? I've never seen anyone say that before

Yes, he might have cursed it, but not for the reason you wanted him to have cursed it. He cursed it to show what the Temple has become. Remember, Fig = Temple in the story.
 
Why has this conversation taken a fig turn? I'm quite tired of figs by now.

There was a fig sig, and so of course since it was related to religion, it became the topic of discussion. In the end, it's all about religion or the lack thereof here on CFC OT.
 
Hey, are you saying beer is a religion?

It's only because I stay out of them that threads on alcohol don't turn into threads about religion . . .

It's like Godwin's Law, but with God instead of Nazis.
 
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