In the Bible, a fig tree represents the "natural", outward life of a person in the world, and the thoughts and feelings directly connected it. Our natural selves have a tendency to be drawn toward evil, seduced by bodily pleasures and engaged in merely factual thinking. If our natural level is connected to a more elevated interior state, though, it can be engaged in doing the work of being good and gathering the knowledge that can be built up into truth. This "natural good" is represented by the figs themselves, the fruit borne by the tree. It's interesting how there is a hierarchy among the most common fruits in the Bible. Olives represent the most exalted human state, which is called "celestial" and is driven by love of the Lord. Grapes represent the next level, which is called "spiritual" and is led by truth from the Lord and love of the neighbor. Figs represent the lowest level, the natural. This makes sense if you think about it. Olives produce olive oil, which is not only food but can also be burned, and fire represents love. Grapes produce wine, which was prized in ancient times and which represents spiritual truth. Figs are food, giving the body energy to work.

4982. 'On all that he had in the house and in the field' means in life and in doctrine. This is clear from the meaning of 'the house' as good, dealt with in 2048, 2233, 2234, 2559, 3128, 3652, 3720, and as 'the house' means good it also means life, since all good is the good of life; and from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church's truth, dealt with in 368, 3508, 3766, 4440, 4443, and as this means the Church's truth it also means doctrine, for all truth is the truth of doctrine. House and field are also referred to several times in other parts of the Word, and when in such places the celestial man is the subject, 'house' means celestial good and 'field' spiritual good. In this case celestial good is the good of love to the Lord, and spiritual good is the good of charity towards the neighbour. But when the spiritual man is the subject 'house' means the celestial as it exists with him, which is the good of charity towards the neighbour, while 'field' means the spiritual as it exists with him, which is the truth of faith. 'The house' and 'the field' have the same meanings in Matthew,

Let him who is on the roof of the house not go down to take anything out of his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his clothing. Matthew 24:17-18.

See 3652.