Sometimes referred to as “Fig Tuesday,” the Tuesday of Holy Week recalls a moment in Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus curses a fig tree upon entering Jerusalem–the city of His coming crucifixion. 

“When he was going back to the city in the morning, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went over to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again.’ And immediately the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed and said, ‘How was it that the fig tree withered immediately?’ Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done. Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive’” (Mt 21:18-22). 

As one of the few events recorded in the days leading up to the death of Jesus, the cursing of the fig tree emphasizes the significance of remaining firm in faith, even in times of trial. 

Jesus knew that His disciples’ faith would soon be tested, and He urged them to be steadfast in their belief.