Matthew 21:19

A fig tree (sukhn mian). "A single fig tree" (Margin of Rev. Version). But ei was often used = ti or like our indefinite article. See Matthew 8:10 ; Matthew 26:69 . The Greek has strictly no indefinite article as the Latin has no definite article. Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever (ou mhketi sou karpo genhtai ei ton aiwna). Strictly speaking this is a prediction, not a prohibition or wish as in Mark 11:14 (optative pagoi). "On you no fruit shall ever grow again" (Weymouth). The double negative ou mh with the aorist subjunctive (or future indicative) is the strongest kind of negative prediction. It sometimes amounts to a prohibition like ou and the future indicative (Robertson, Grammar, pp. 926f.). The early figs start in spring before the leaves and develop after the leaves. The main fig crop was early autumn ( Mark 11:14 ). There should have been figs on the tree with the crop of leaves. It was a vivid object lesson. Matthew does not distinguish between the two mornings as Mark does ( Mark 11:13 Mark 11:20 ), but says "immediately" (paracrhma) twice ( Matthew 21:19 Matthew 21:20 ). This word is really para to crhma like our "on the spot" (Thayer). It occurs in the papyri in monetary transactions for immediate cash payment.