Christ's act in cursing the fig tree had astonished the disciples. It seemed to them unlike His ways and works. Often they had heard Him declare that He came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. They remembered His words, "The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56. His wonderful works had been done to restore, never to destroy. The disciples had known Him only as the Restorer, the Healer. This act stood alone. What was its purpose? they questioned.

Kristi forbandelse over figentræet havde forundret disciplene. Den forekom dem slet ikke at ligne hans sædvanlige handlemåde og ord. De havde tit hørt ham forkynde, at han ikke var kommen for at dømme verden, men far at verden ved ham skulle blive frelst. De huskede hans ord: "Menneskesønnen er ikke kommen for at ødelægge menneskeliv, men for at frelse dem." Luk. 9,55. Hans undergerninger var sket for at helbrede og aldrig for at ødelægge. Disciplene havde kun kendt ham som den helbredende og lægende. Denne handling var noget enestående. Hvad var formålet med den? spurgte de.