Matthew 21:18-19 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

As I understand the scripture, the time period is nearing Passover, early spring.
Why would Christ curse a fig tree that has no figs in the springtime when figs are not even ready until late summer - early fall (late July/early August on the Gregorian calender)?

I live in MS and pick figs every year. Other than the humidity, our climate here and harvest times are similar to Jerusalem.

The best explanation I have come across is at the following link:-

thinkhebrew.wordpress.com/2009/12/22/the-withering-fig-tree/

It sets the whole incident in context beautifully and illustrates what Jesus was demonstrating.

Owen