I have often debated this very pericope with unbeliever, who delight in calling Jesus a fool and an idiot (
forgive me, Lord) for trying to pick figs when "
the time of figs was not yet".
I always have to point out to these sinners that Jesus was perfectly knowledgeable in the ways of figs:
Matthew 24:32
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
In this verse Jesus tells us that fig trees don't put forth leaves before summer, so naturally He knew that the tree wouldn't bear any figs as He approached the tree before Easter.
One more:
Luke 6:44
For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
You don't gather figs of thorns. And it goes
without saying that you don't gather figs of fig trees when "
the time of figs was not yet".
Once again Jesus has proved that when Bible-scoffers think they've found a contradiction in the Bible, they are actually proving the intrinsic wisdom of the Word of God (1611).