Matthew 21:19. And seeing a fig tree in the way [probably near Bethphage], He came to it and found nothing on it except leaves only. And He said to it, “let no fruit grow on you forever [analogous to that generation of Jews who had no production].” And immediately the fig tree withered away [analogous to 5th cycle of discipline which would occur in August of 70 A. D.].

 

καὶ ἰδὼν συκῆν µίαν ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἦλθεν ἐπí αὐτήν, καὶ οὐδὲν εὗρεν ἐν αὐτῇ εἰ µὴ φύλλα µόνον, καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ, Μηκέτι ἐκ σοῦ καρπὸς γένηται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. καὶ ἐξηράνθη παραχρῆµα ἡ συκῆ.

 

On a fig tree, the figs grow first and then the leaves.  So, if from a distance if you see leaves, you can assume that it also has figs. In other words, the leaves tell you that the figs are ripe. The fig tree is analogous to Israel. The leaves were the outward appearance of production, but since they were religious Jews, they had no grace production, no figs. God expected the Jews in Israel to have production (figs) since he gave them all the assets to produce. The fig tree without production was a warning to the Jews that they were on the brink of great discipline. Religion is leaves without figs.  In the garden the first parents initially became religious by putting on fig leaves; they tried to solve their problem through an act of human good. They thought that putting on fig leaves would make them respectable before God.