Budding trees said that spring was imminent. The ubiquitous fig tree was a favorite subject of many of Jesus’ parables. In today’s gospel, green buds announce a change in the seasons.

So scholars suggest that the fig tree serves as a parable. Jesus has inspected the temple and does not like what he sees. When he leaves Bethany early the next morning before breakfast, he is hungry.

In Luke 13, Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree. The tree is planted in a vineyard, which sounds weird, but fig trees were often used as trellises in vineyards. The owner is unhappy because ...