Mark 11 & 12

Jesus was hungry. From a distance He saw a fig tree. Fig season is not until May or June. (and this event probably took place in March or April during passover) However, fig trees generally produce buds in March and leaves in April. Jesus was hoping to find edible buds, but this particular tree didn't have any. The lack of leaves indicated that the tree would be fruitless that year. Scholars suggest that this fig tree represented Israel, which bore no fruit and would soon face the judgement of God.