Matthew 21:19 What did Jesus really say to the Fig Tree?

What did Jesus really say to the Fig Tree?

In Matthew 21:19, there are several wordplays. The Hebrew word for fig tree is spelled the same as the Hebrew word used in Judges 14:4 for “occasion [ground of quarrel].” Jesus uses the double entendre for “fig tree/occasion [ground of quarrel]” as the theme of a poem that includes wordplays for “found” and “come forth” and also “leaves” and “forever.” The Hebrew word for leaves is also spelled the same as the Hebrew word for evade. The fig tree is symbolic of Israel and the Hebrew word for leaves may also symbolize the evasion of the Lord by some Israelites when he came to them. This particular poem is a living poem since Jesus’ actions imply the word for “occasion or ground of quarrel,” but the actual word does not appear. On a literary and media basis this is the highest form of literary connection possible where the poet creates portions of the poem through their actions and not only by their words. Jesus communicated on a level beyond that of any poet. He truly spoke and communicated like no one else before or after Him.

“Fig Tree” תאנה t'enah

“Occasion [Ground of Quarrel]” תאנה toanah

“Found” מצא matza

“Come Forth” יצא yatza

“Leaves” העלים aleh also means “evade” he'eliym

“Forever” לעולם laelim

            18 In the morning, returning to the city, he was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road he went to it, and found {“Found” (מצא)} nothing on it but leaves {“Leaves” (העלים)} only. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come {“Come Forth” (יצא)} from you again {“Forever” (לעולם)}!”

Note: Most scholars believe that Jesus spoke a Semitic language either Aramaic or Hebrew or both.

Based on the book, “The Passion: The Poetry of God”