What does the Bible say about the barren fig tree?

In Matthew 21, the barren fig tree is used by Jesus as a living parable to illustrate Israel's spiritual condition under God's curse. This tree had the outward appearance of life, bearing leaves, yet it produced no figs, representing the nation’s failure to recognize and accept the truth of Christ, the true source of life and righteousness. Just as the fig tree was judged and withered, so too was Israel spiritually barren—clinging to traditions without genuine faith or understanding of what they represented.