The next day, as he left Bethany, Jesus was feeling hungry. He noticed a leafy fig tree in the distance, so he walked over to see if there was any fruit on it, but there was none—only leaves (for it wasn’t yet the season for bearing figs). Jesus spoke to the fig tree, saying, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And the disciples overheard him. (Mark 11.12 – 14, Passion Translation)

Jesus “spoke to” the fig tree. Peter interpreted it as a curse in verse 21, but the text doesn’t directly say so. Nevertheless, the fig tree died:

In the morning, they passed by the fig tree that Jesus spoke to and it was completely withered from the roots up. (Mark 11.20, Passion Translation)

It’s almost as if the fig tree understood what Jesus said to it and decided that if it wasn’t going to bear fruit, there was no reason for it to stick around!

Fruit is important; that’s why Jesus had so much to say about it.

I am a true sprouting vine, and the farmer who tends the vine is my Father. He cares for the branches connected to me by lifting and propping up the fruitless branches and pruning every fruitful branch to yield a greater harvest. The words I have spoken over you have already cleansed you. So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine. I am the sprouting vine and you’re my branches. As you live in union with me as your source, fruitfulness will stream from within you—but when you live separated from me you are powerless. (John 15.1 – 5, Passion Translation)