Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if there was any fruit on it. But when He reached it, He found nothing on it except leaves, since it was not the season for figs.
Here is, I. Christ's cursing the fruitless fig-tree. He had a convenient resting-place at Bethany, and therefore thither he went at resting-time; but his work lay at Jerusalem, and thither therefore he returned in the morning, at working-time; and so intent was he upon his work, that he went out from Bethany without breakfast, which, before he was gone far, he found the want of...
Commenting on Mark 11:12-26
And seeing a fig tree afar off,.... By the wayside, at some distance from him: having leaves; very large and spreading, which made a great show, as if there might be fruit on it: he came; unto it; either he went out of his way to it, or having seen it before him a good way off, at length came up to it if haply...
Verses 13,14. Afar off. (x) "nothing but leaves"