If haply he might find anything thereon (ei ara ti heurēsei en autēi). This use of ei and the future indicative for purpose (to see if, a sort of indirect question) as in Act 8:22; Act 17:27. Jesus was hungry as if he had had no food on the night before after the excitement and strain of the Triumphal Entry. The early figs in Palestine do not get ripe before May or June, the later crop in August. It was not the season of figs, Mark notes. But this precocious tree in a sheltered spot had put out leaves as a sign of fruit. It had promise without performance.