Mark 11:13

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for it was not the season of figs.

Having leaves ... This was the basis of Jesus' expectation, because the leaves were normally preceded by the fruit.

Nothing but leaves ... This freakish fig tree, all leafed out, and out of season also, was a perfect type of Israel; but it is in one particular a type of all who profess faith in God without exhibiting any of the fruit that should accompany such faith. This cannot be, however, the full meaning of this fig tree, because in this dispensation it IS the time of figs (spiritually). It is in this differentiation that the unique correspondence of the fig tree to Israel is most evident. Despite this, the spiritual application of the wonder to all who profess and do not is valid.