Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
The fig tree (Ficus carica) is very common in Palestine. (8:8) Mount Olivet was famous for its fig trees in ancient times, and they are still found there. To “sit under one’s own vine and one’s own fig tree” became a proverbial expression among the Jews to denote peace and prosperity. (1 Kings 4:25; Micah 4:4; Zechariah 3:10) The fig is a pear-shaped fruit, and is much used by the Orientals for food. The young figs are especially prized
for their sweetness and flavor. The fruit always appears before the leaves; so that when Christ saw leaves on the fig tree by the wayside, (Mark 11:13) he had a right to expect fruit. The usual summer crop of fruits is not gathered till May or June; but in the sunny ravines of Olivet fig trees could have ripe fruit some weeks earlier (Dr. Thomson), and it was not strange so early as Easter Christ might find the young eatable figs, although it was
not the usual season for gathering the fruit.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
FIG, FIG' TREE. The fig tree (Ficus carica) has been cultivated in Palestine from remote times, Deut 8:8; Isa 34:4, and is also found in a wild state. It does not grow to a great height, but throws out a profusion of very spreading branches, and the trunk is often 3 feet in diameter. Five-lobed leaves luxuriantly clothe these limbs, and often convert this tree into a beautiful natural arbor. 1 Kgs 4:25; 2 Kgs 18:31; Isa 36:16; Mic 4:4; Zech 3:10;
John 1:48. The fruit is pear-shaped, and the small green figs appear before the leaves. When these figs have attained some size, their interior will be found filled with minute white flowers. This curious provision leads to the common impression that this tree never blossoms. When the leaves have appeared, if there be no fruit among them, the fig tree will be barren for the present season. Matt 21:19. Figs are much used as food in all Eastern
lands. Two kinds of this fruit are mentioned in the Bible. 1. The early fig, or boccore, of which a few ripen and are gathered in June, Isa 28:4; Hos 9:10; Mic 7:1, while the most of this early fruit falls off before it is perfected. Rev 6:13. 2. The main crop, or kermouse, ordinarily does Figs and Fig-Leaves. not ripen till August. These are the "green figs" of Song 2:13. "Bethphage" means "house of green figs." A long dark-colored kermouse
sometimes hangs upon the trees all winter. These various kinds of figs are eaten as they come from the tree, and are also dried in masses or cakes. 1 Sam 25:18. They seem to have been an ordinary article of food, and to have possessed medicinal properties. 2 Kgs 20:7; 1 Chr 12:40. The putting forth of the fig tree was one of the earliest indications of summer. Song 2:13; Matt 24:32; Luke 21:29; and a failure of its fruit was a great calamity. Jer
5:17; Ezr 8:13; Joel 1:7, Joel 1:12; Hab 3:17-18. The cursing of the fig tree by our Saviour, Mark 11:13, Jer 11:21, has occasioned great perplexity. This incident occurred about the beginning of April, when, as the evangelist states, the time for figs had not come. Why, then, should Christ seek figs upon the tree and, as it were, blame its barrenness? The best reply seems to be, Because the tree was in leaf; and when the tree was in this state,
abnormal though it were, fruit might be expected. Dr. Thomson, as the result of his observation, considers it not at all impossible that the early variety of this tree might have ripe fruit in the warm, sheltered ravines of Olivet at Easter: "If there was no fruit on this leafy tree, it might justly be condemned as barren; and hence the propriety of the lesson it was made to teach-that those who put forth in profusion only the leaves of empty
profession are nigh unto cursing."