Another most vivid example of Mark's symbolism is found in the Barren Fig Tree (xi, 12-14, 20, 21). Surely no one can for a moment understand this quite literally. To curse a fig-tree, to blast it and wither it, because it did not bear figs out of season (" for it was not the season of figs "), is inconceivable in any rational being, much more in a perfect man or a man-god. If one asks. What, then, is the symbolism ? the answer is by no means so certain. It might seem to be a condemnation of some premature endeavour, of some promise without fulfilment. It was once my notion, held subject to revision and correction, that it was aimed at the movement headed by John the Baptist, which seemed to force Messianism and the Jesus-cult prematurely into the open. It is noteworthy that scant words of praise for the Baptist are to be found in Mark. Certainly the movement might be not ineptly likened to a leaf-laden fig-tree suddenly withered from the roots. Matthew and Luke would seem to have thought better of the forerunner, and the apology they introduce (Matthew xi, 7-15 ; Luke vii, 24-28) might appear to be a perfectly conscious correction of Mark. On such a conjecture one need not insist ; it is important only to recognise that the whole story is certainly a symbolism.
(Ecce Deus, p. 114, my bold)