Devine Scripture

Mark 11:13

What does Mark 11:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 11:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 11:13 means

From a distance, Jesus saw a fig tree with a full display of leaves, which typically indicates the presence of fruit or its imminent appearance. Approaching it with the expectation of finding figs to satisfy His hunger, He found only leaves. Although it was not the season for ripe figs, some early varieties would have produced fruit along with their leaves. This absence of fruit despite an outward appearance of vitality sets up the symbolic lesson to follow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And seeing a fig-tree in the distance with leaves, he went to see if by chance it had anything on it: and when he came to it, he saw nothing but leaves, for it was not the time for the fruit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having seen a fig-tree afar off having leaves, he came, if perhaps he shall find anything in it, and having come to it, he found nothing except leaves, for it was not a time of figs,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when he had seen afar off a fig tree having leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find any thing on it. And when he was come to it, he found nothing but leaves. For it was not the time for figs.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And seeing from afar off a fig-tree which had leaves, he came, if perhaps he might find something on it. And having come up to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the time of figs.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus's experience of hunger in verse 12, providing the specific object of His attention: the fig tree. The description of the fig tree's deceptive appearance directly sets the stage for Jesus's symbolic action of cursing it, which carries significant spiritual implications for Israel and unproductivity that will unfold in the subsequent verses.

v.12And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered.

v.13This passage

v.14And he answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Isaiah 5:7

    For the vineyard of Jehovah of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for justice, but, behold, oppression; for righteousness, but, behold, a cry.

  • Luke 13:6

    And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.

  • Matthew 21:19

    And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away.

  • Luke 12:6

    Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Mark 11

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Mark 11.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Mark 11:13.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary