As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.
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Mark 11:20-22 sits inside this longer paragraph.
When evening came, he went out of the city. As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”
Parallel Translations
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As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.
Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.
-
And in the mornynge as they passed by they sawe the fygge tree dryed vp by the rotes.
And Peter remembred and sayde vnto him: master beholde the fygge tree which thou cursedest is widdred awaye.
And Iesus answered and sayde vnto them: Have confides in God.
Show all 3 translations
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And in the morning as they iourneyed together, they saw the figge tree dried vp from the rootes.
Then Peter remembred, and said vnto him, Master, beholde, the figge tree which thou cursedst, is withered.
And Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Haue the faith of God.
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Contradictions (1)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (23)
- Psalms 62:8 (v22) Trust in him at all times, you people. Pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us.
- John 14:1 (v22) “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.
- Mark 9:23 (v22) Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:20 (v22) They rose early in the morning, and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me,…
- Isaiah 7:9 (v22) The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah’s son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.’ ”
Show all 23 cross-references
- Titus 1:1 (v22) Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which…
- Colossians 2:12 (v22) having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the…
- Matthew 15:13 (v20) But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted.
- Matthew 13:6 (v20) When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.
- Matthew 21:19-22 (v20) Seeing a fig tree by the road, he came to it, and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to it, “Let there be no fruit from you forever!”…
- Mark 11:14 (v20) Jesus told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and his disciples heard it.
- John 15:6 (v20) If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are…
- Proverbs 3:33 (v21) Yahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
- Isaiah 40:24 (v20) They are planted scarcely. They are sown scarcely. Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground. He merely blows on them, and they…
- Zechariah 5:3-4 (v21) Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land; for everyone who steals shall be cut off according…
- Matthew 23:7 (v21) the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’ by men.
- Matthew 25:41 (v21) Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his…
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 (v21) If any man doesn’t love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be cursed. Come, Lord!
- Job 18:16-17 (v20) His roots will be dried up beneath. His branch will be cut off above. His memory will perish from the earth. He will have no name in the…
- Job 20:5-7 (v20) that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the godless but for a moment? Though his height mount up to the heavens, and his…
- Isaiah 5:4 (v20) What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? Why, when I looked for it to yield grapes, did it yield wild…
- Hebrews 6:8 (v20) but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
- Jude 1:12 (v20) These are hidden rocky reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you, shepherds who without fear feed themselves; clouds without…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (19 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv20, 22 The force of faith is exceeding great, and charity…
The force of faith is exceeding great, and charity is ever joined with it.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv20–22 20 And in the morning, as they passed by,…
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Ver. 20. {See Trapp on "Mat 21:20"} Learn to stand in fear of Christ’s curse: he can blow men to destruction, smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, Isa 11:4; Job 4:9.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v20 See the notes on "Mat 21:21". It is I…
See the notes on "Mat 21:21". It is I confess the opinion of many excellent interpreters, whom I reverence, that the main end of our Saviour’s cursing and blasting this fig tree, was to let his disciples see in a type what would be the consequent of a spiritual barrenness. That spiritual barrenness is exceedingly dangerous is out of question; our Saviour teacheth us it plainly by another parable of the fig tree, Luk 13:6-9, and the apostle teacheth us it, Heb 6:7,8. But I see nothing to guide us to any such interpretation of this action of his, which was a miraculous operation, by which as he;
1. Plainly showed his Divine power; so;
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2. These verses inform us, that it was his design to show his people the power of faith, that is, a full persuasion, that whatsoever we ask of God according to his will, and which may tend to his glory, shall be done for us.
Which interpretation of this action of our Saviour’s solves all the difficulties relating to this story, about which interpreters have so disquieted themselves.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v20 The blasting and sudden withering of the fig-tree at…
The blasting and sudden withering of the fig-tree at the word of Christ, plainly shewed his divine power, and by this miraculous operation, our Saviour designed to shew his disciples the mighty power of faith; that is, a full persuasion of the power of God, that he is able, and of the goodness of God, that he is willing, to grant whatever we ask according to his will, that has a tendency to his glory and our good.
Learn hence, That faith is a necessary and principal ingredient in prayer praying without faith, is like to a man’s shooting without a bullet; it makes a noise, but doth no execution.
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Secondly, That whatsoever good thing God had made the matter of his promise, shall be given to good men in a way of perfromance, provided they pray in faith. Whatsoever ye desire, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv20–22 And Peter, calling to remembrance,.... Not so much the…
And Peter, calling to remembrance,.... Not so much the tree, and its spreading leaves, and the greatness of it, and the flourishing condition it was in, the other day, as the imprecation of Christ upon it:
saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away; which he observed, as matter of astonishment, and as an instance of Christ's surprising power and authority; See Gill on Mat 21:20.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv20, 22 Matt. xxi, 20.
Matt. xxi, 20.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v22 Verse 22. Have faith in God] Εχετε πιϚιν θεου…
Verse 22. Have faith in God] Εχετε πιϚιν θεου is a mere Hebraism: have the faith of God, i.e. have strong faith, or the strongest faith, for thus the Hebrews expressed the superlative degree; so the mountains of God mean exceeding great mountains-the hail of God, exceeding great hail, &c.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv20, 22 Mar 11:20-21. And in the morning, they passed by,…
Mar 11:20-21. And in the morning, they passed by, &c. — Next morning, as they were returning to Jerusalem, it astonished the disciples not a little when they looked on the fig-tree that had been pronounced barren the night before, and found it dried up from the roots, that is, quite withered down to the ground and shrunk: a miracle the more extraordinary, because the fig-tree is remarkable for its abundant sap and moisture. Peter, in particular, expressed great surprise at it, saying, Master, Behold the fig- tree which thou cursedst is withered away. “We have seen already that Jesus only said to the fig-tree, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever; this Peter, according to the Jewish manner of speaking concerning things that are barren, (Heb 6:8,) called a cursing of the fig-tree. And some ill-disposed readers, not apprehending the proper force of the words, are apt to form a very unbecoming notion of Jesus from this action. But they do so without the least cause. Every thing he said on the occasion was decent. Moreover, the transaction was intended to prefigure the speedy ruin of the Jewish nation, on account of its unfruitfulness under greater advantages than any other people enjoyed at that day, and, like all the rest of his miracles, was done with a gracious intention, namely, to alarm his countrymen, and to induce them to repent.” — Macknight. Thus Bishop Hall viewed this miracle, as appears by his excellent paraphrase on the passage: “When he saw a fig-tree in the way, he came purposely to seek that fruit which he knew he should not find ripe, that he might hence take occasion to work that exemplary miracle upon it which ensued: for when he found only store of leaves upon it and no fruit, that he might in this tree show how much he hates a formal profession (such as the Jews made) of religion, without an answerable fruitfulness, he cursed the fig-tree, and said, Let that which is thy fault be thy punishment; since thou bearest no fruit at all, never mayest thou bear any. And presently the fig-tree, as blasted by that word of judgment, withered away.” It is observable that the destruction of the swine, and this blasting of the fig-tree, were the only instances of punitive miracles in the whole course of our Saviour’s ministry, notwithstanding they do not appear to have been injurious. The case of the swine we have already considered; (see note on Mat 8:30-32;) and, with respect to the fig-tree, Matthew informs us that it was in the way, that is, in the common road, and therefore probably no particular person’s property; but if it was, being barren, the timber might be as serviceable to the owner as before. So that here was no real injury; but Jesus was pleased to make use of this innocent miracle for the valuable purposes above suggested, as well as to teach his disciples the efficacy of faith, spoken of in the next words.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv20, 22 § 113. — THE WITHERED FIG TREE REMARKED, vv.…
§ 113. — THE WITHERED FIG TREE REMARKED, vv. AND REFLECTIONS, Mar_11:20-26.
20. In the morning — Of Tuesday in the Passion Week. Dried up from the roots — Marking how total was the death and aridness of the tree. The decay of long years was wrought upon it in a few hours, perhaps in a moment.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv20–22 20–26. The Withered Fig-Tree
20–26. The Withered Fig-Tree
20. And in the morning] The early morning of Tuesday in Holy Week.
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as they passed by] On their return to the Holy City.
dried up from the roots] From St Matthew (Mat_21:19) it would appear that “some beginnings of the threatened withering began to shew themselves, almost as soon as the word of the Lord was spoken; a shuddering fear may have run through all the leaves of the tree, which was thus stricken at its heart.” Trench.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv20–21 (20-25) And in the morning.—See Notes on Mat_21:20-22.
(20-25) And in the morning.—See Notes on Mat_21:20-22.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv20, 22 Vers. 20, 21. And as they passed by in…
Vers. 20, 21. And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. They had returned the evening before, probably after sunset, to Bethany; and so, in the twilight, had not noticed the withered tree. St. Matthew gathers the whole account of the fig tree into one notice. St. Mark disposes of the facts in their chronological order. It was on the Monday morning, the day after the triumphant entry, and when they were on their way to Jerusalem, that our Lord cursed the fig tree. Thence he passed on at once into Jerusalem, and drove out the profaners of the temple, and taught the people. In the evening he returned to Bethany; and then on the next morning, as they were on their way into the city, they saw what had happened to the fig tree. And then Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him; Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away (exhrantai), the same Greek word as in the preceding verse. Some have thought that the fig tree was the tree forbidden to Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. (See Cornelius a Lapide on Gen_2:9)
Vers. 20-26. The withered tree.
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I DESTRUCTION MAY SERVE THE PURPOSES OF LIFE. Here the fig tree is destroyed for the sake of a lesson to the spirit. Much lower life is destroyed from day to day that the higher may be preserved.
II THE INCIDENT ILLUSTRATES THE RESERVE OF CHRIST"S MIRACULOUS POWER. He could destroy; that was evident. But he came not to destroy, but to save. And while he lavished his power upon the sick and suffering, to heal, cheer, and deliver, he economized the dread power of destruction. Compare what is said on this subject in "Ecce Homo!
III FAITH THE ONE SECRET OF POWER. Our Lord here employs, as often, a bold figure of speech. To the undivided thought and will nothing is ideally impossible. Actually our power is limited, as is our thought. But we are born for the ideal, and to overcome our limitations. Prayer is essentially part of faith; it is the exercise of the will, the entire going-forth of the man in that direction in which he is called endlessly to exert himself.
IV LOVE IS AN ESSENTIAL CONDITION OF TRUE FAITH. Faith works by love. How mistaken is it to limit faith to intellectual assent! Devils believe, but love not, and are weak. Faith and love are other words for the might of God in the soul. "Oh, my brothers, God exists! Believing love will relieve us of a load of care! will lift mountains" weight from the spirit, and make our ideals a present reality. But the unloving, unforgiving soul remains fettered in itself, unreleased, unfree, and weak. J.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v22 Have faith in God.
Mar_11:22
Have faith in God.
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Have faith in God
I. What faith is.
1. Taking God at His word, about things unknown (Heb_11:7), unlikely (Heb_11:17-19), untried (Heb_11:28).
2. Trusting Jesus at His invitation. Trust your soul to His care; your sins to His cleansing; your life to His keeping.
II. Whence faith comes.
1. From Gods grace (Eph_2:8; Rom_12:3)
2. From Gods Word (Rom_10:17; 2Ti_3:15).
3. From Gods working (1Jn_5:1; Col_2:12).
4. Out of the heart (Rom_10:10).
III. How faith works.
1. It overcomes the world (1Jn_5:4).
2. It purifies the heart (Act_15:8-9).
3. It works by love (Gal_5:6). (J. Richardson, M. A.)
Have faith in God-God will not desert those who trust in Him
Many years ago, when in my country charge, I returned one afternoon from a funeral, fatigued with the days work. After a long ride, I had accompanied the mourners to the churchyard. As I neared my stable door, I felt a strange prompting to visit a poor widow who, with her invalid daughter, lived in a lonely cottage in an outlying part of the parish. My natural reluctance to make another visit was overcome by a feeling which I could not resist, and I turned my horses head towards the cottage. I was thinking only of the widows spiritual needs; but, when I reached her little house, I was struck with its look of unwonted bareness and poverty. After putting a little money into her hand, I began to inquire into their circumstances, and found that their supplies had been utterly exhausted since the night before. I asked them what they had done. I just spread it out before the Lord! Did you tell your case to any friend? Oh no, sir; nobody knows but Himself and me. I knew He wouldnt forget, though I didnt know how He would help me, till I saw you coming riding over the hill, and then I said, Theres the Lords answer. Many a time has the recollection of this incident encouraged me to trust in the loving care of my heavenly Father. (G. Macdonald, D. D.)
One winter morning, a poor little orphan boy of six or eight years begged a lady to allow him to clean away the snow from her door. Do you get much to do, my little boy? said the lady. Sometimes I do, he replied, but often I get very little. And are you never afraid that you will not get enough to live on? The child looked perplexed a moment, and then answered, Dont you think God will take care of a boy if he puts his trust in Him, and does the best he can?
Have faith in God
Gotthold saw several sailors step into a boat to cross a river. Two took the oars, and, as usual, turned their backs upon the shore to which they intended to sail. A third stood and kept his face unaverted on the place where they wished to land, and which they very speedily reached. See here, he said, to those about him, what may well remind us of our condition. Life is a mighty river, rapidly flowing into the ocean of eternity, and returning no more. On this river we are all afloat in the bark of our vocation, which we must urge forward with the oars of industry and toil. Like these sailors, therefore, we ought to turn our back upon the future, put our confidence in God, who stands at the helm, and by His mighty power steers the vessel to where happiness and salvation await us, and diligently labour, unconcerned about anything else. We would smile, were these men to turn round and pretend that they could not row blindfold, but must needs see the place to which their course was directed; and it is no less foolish in us to insist on apprehending, with our anxieties and thoughts, all things, whether future or at hand. Let it be our part to ply the oar and toil and pray; but let us leave it to God to steer and bless and govern. O my God, be with me in my little bark, and bless it according to Thy good pleasure! I will turn my face to Thee, and, as Thou shalt enable me, I will diligently and faithfully labour; for all else Thou wilt provide.
The orphans prayer
A little child, whose father and mother had died, was taken into another family. The first night she asked if she might pray, as she used to do. They said, Oh, yes. So she knelt down, and prayed as her mother had taught her; and when that was ended, she added a little prayer of her own: O God, make these people as kind to me as father and mother were. Then she paused, and looked up, as if expecting an answer, and then added, Of course you will. How sweetly simple was that little ones faith; she expected God to do; and, of course, she got her request.
Have faith in God-Never give up in despair
An industrious tradesman had fallen on bad times; his business would not prosper, and he lost heart. His wife, however, kept cheerful; she went on praying, and tried to hearten up her husband. But it was no use; he kept on saying there was no hope for him, and he might as well go out of life, for there was nothing good to be looked for. One morning the cheery wife came down with a face as sad as her husbands. Whats the matter? said he. Oh, she replied, with a shudder, Ive had such a dreadful dream. I dreamt God was dead, and all the angels were going to His funeral! What nonsense! said her husband. How can you be so silly? Dont you know God cant die? She thought a moment, and then brightened up. Thats true, she answered. But, oh, husband! if He cant die, He cant change, either. He has taken care of us all our lives: why should we begin to think He has forgotten us now? Itll only be a passing cloud, may be, thats hiding the sun, just to try us. Let us trust Him through it all. Youre right, wife, said the man. Seems to me Ive believed in God without trusting Him. Let us ask Him to forgive me this sin of mistrust May be my ill luck has been a punishment for that same, sent to open my eyes. However that may have been, the tide did turn, and neither man nor wife ever mistrusted God again.
Have faith in God-Wonder-working faith
It is not only to faith, as a general spiritual force of boundless potency and value, that our Lord here directs our thoughts; but also, and more particularly, to the faith which sees what things are useless and ready to die, and puts them out of the way; the faith which confronts obstacles as big as solid mountains, and yet is sure that it can remove or surmount them; the faith which faints at no difficulty, no apparent impossibility even, but attacks even the greatest of them with courage and good hope. This is the faith to which Christ here invites us-the faith which He Himself exercised, not only when He banned the fig tree, but also when He set Himself to save and raise the world against its will, and had therefore to face a world in arms. It is the faith which believes truth to be stronger than error, righteousness than unrighteousness, good than evil, even though all the world should have espoused the losing cause. It is the faith which believes not only that spiritual energies are stronger than material forces, but also that the good spiritual forces of the universe are stronger than its evil forces, and are sure to overcome them in the end. Nothing seems more doubtful to us at times than the victory of faith over the world; yet nothing is more certain. The whole history of the world is one long continuous testimony to the fact, that it is by faith in great principles that men are really swayed. What is the history of every great movement by which the world, or any portion of it, has been raised, purified, reformed, and renewed, but just this: Faith in some great truth or principle-faith in justice, faith in freedom, faith in wise laws and deep convictions-has grown to enthusiasm in a few hearts; and in the power of this faith they have spoken and toiled, facing and gradually beating down all opposition, detecting signs of decay in the most venerable and solidly established institutions, customs, statutes, and dooming them to perish; encountering whole mountains of obstacle and difficulty, yet taking them up and at last casting them into the sea. (S. Cox, D. D.)
Faith in God
1. There is Christs command itself.
2. Gods own character demands this faith.
3. Gods gifts claim and warrant faith.
4. The way in which we specially honour Him is by having faith in Him.
5. Unbelief profits nothing.
6. Faith has dons wonders in time past, and it can do wonders still. (H. Bonar, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On v20 20–24. They saw the fig tree dried up. See…
20–24. They saw the fig tree dried up. See notes on Matt. 21:19–22. Mark adds the fact, not stated by Matthew, that this language was spoken the day after the tree was cursed. Believe that ye receive them. That they are yours from the time you ask for them.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v20 Mat 21:20-22; Mar 11:20-26. “And early in the morning,…
THE WITHERING OF THE FIG-TREE
Mat 21:20-22; Mar 11:20-26. “And early in the morning, they, passing by, saw the fig-tree withered from its roots.” The withering was so decisive that even the trunk of the tree dried up, as you see, from its roots, thus symbolizing the awful fate of the hypocrite, destined one day suddenly and decisively to wither away. Beware, lest the Lord come to you and find “nothing but leaves?” “And Peter, remembering, says to Him, Master, see, the fig-tree which Thou didst anathematize is withered away.
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And Jesus, responding, says to him, have the faith of God.” There is a difference between faith in God and the “faith of God,” the latter being a perfect faith, admitting no admixture of doubt. In justification, we have faith in God; while entire sanctification, eliminating all doubt and every other phase of depravity, is characterized by the “faith of God.” Here, Jesus imputes wonderful efficiency to the faith of God.
“For truly I say unto you, whosoever may say to this mountain, Be thou plucked up, and be thou east into the sea, and may not doubt in his heart, but believe that whatsoever he says is done, it shall be to him whatsoever he may say.” They were then walking along on Mount Olivet, the highest in Southern Palestine, and here pointed out by the Savior in order to illustrate the miraculous availability of prayer, as it is His custom in all His ministry to illustrate spiritual things by temporal. Just as if great Mount Olivet were lifted up and plunged into the midst of the sea, so towering mountains of sin, responsive to the “faith of God,” are lifted clearly away and dropped down into the sea of forgetfulness.
“Therefore I say unto you that all things, so many as you ask for, praying, believe that thou receive, and it shall be unto you.” While prayer in the Divine order is the invariable antecedent to the blessings involved in the gracious economy, yet we must remember that we do not receive what we pray for, but what we believe for, faith being the measuring-line of our reception from God. Then what is the utility of prayer? It is to bring us up to believing ground. Hence prayer and filth are like the two oars of the boat which row us across the river. The genuine “faith of God” is very scarce upon the earth, and it is because there is not enough o£ genuine, importunate prayer. We must so pray into the Divine presence and get in touch with the Almighty that the Holy Ghost will inspire our prayers as well as our faith. In a mysterious way we must sink into God, utterly abandoned to His will for time and eternity, getting away from self and humanity where we can fall prostrate on the great and precious promises, and there abide at the feet of Jesus, so illuminated and inspired by the Holy Ghost that we can receive and appropriate His infallible promises, and get where we can ask Him for great and wonderful achievements in the spiritual kingdom without wavering or doubting, and thus, by importunate prayer and indefatigable faith, take the kingdom of heaven by violence. Matthew says, in this connection: “Verily I say unto you, If you have faith and doubt not, you shall not only do that of the fig-tree, but you may say to this mountain, Be thou plucked up and cast into the sea, and it shall be done.”
In the case of the fig-tree, the withering came instantly and complete.
Mat 11:25. “And when you may stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any one; in order that your Father who is in the heavens may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in the heavens forgive your trespasses.” Thus, you see, an unforgiving spirit is an effectual barricade against prevailing prayer.
You must not only clear away all obstructions by forgiving everybody, but in total and eternal abandonment to God so sink away into His will, losing sight of everything else, that the Holy Spirit will be pleased to confer the omnipotent grace of prevailing prayer and faith, putting you where you can ask and believe that He doeth it. This is the wonderful secret of bringing heaven down to earth. Lord, help us all to learn it!
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v22 Have faith
Have faith
Have the faith of God; i.e. the faith which God gives. Cf. 1Co 12:9; Eph 2:8.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v20 The lesson of the dead tree:
The lesson of the dead tree:
v. 20. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.
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v. 21. And Peter calling to remembrance, saith unto Him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which Thou cursedst is withered away.
v. 22. And Jesus, answering, saith unto them, Have faith in God.
v. 23. For verily I say unto, you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.
It was on Tuesday morning that Jesus again passed by the fig-tree with His disciples. The curse of Jesus had taken effect; the whole tree, from the roots, was withered and dead. On the evening before things had been in shadow, and therefore the apostles could easily overlook the condition of the tree, especially since their minds were likely occupied with other matters. But in the clear morning light the tree stood out from the rest so prominently that Peter remembered the incident of the day before. In a half-pleased and half-awed manner he called the Lord’s attention to the result of His curse. Jesus then proceeds to give the disciples a second lesson from the miracle, one applicable to themselves and to the Christians of all times. He impresses upon them His favorite topic, next to the proclamation of the Gospel. Faith in God, trust towards God, absolute reliance upon Him is required in the kingdom of Christ. Solemnly He declares to them that such a trust has mountain-moving properties, that nothing can withstand it. But the confidence must be absolute, unqualified, not tinged by the slightest doubt. With God’s command and promise before us, nothing is impossible. A Christian in most cases does not attain the object that he is striving for because there is some apprehension, some doubt in his heart as to the possibility of carrying out the plan. Such vacillating, uncertain natures defeat the ends of faith. And the tool and weapon of faith, by which it accomplishes its great deeds and wins its victories, as Jesus impresses upon His disciples, is prayer.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv20, 22 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Jesus uses the example of the fig tree to remind the disciples to have faith in God.
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walked by
"were walking along the road"
the fig tree withered away to its roots
Translate this statement to clarify that the tree died. AT: "the fig tree withered away down to its roots and died" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
withered away
"dried up"
Peter remembered
It may be helpful to state what Peter remembered. AT: "Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the fig tree" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
translationWords
fig
Peter
Rabbi
curse
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv20, 22 11:20-21 Jesus’ miraculous power to judge the fig tree…
11:20-21 Jesus’ miraculous power to judge the fig tree testified to his authority to bring about the judgment of Jerusalem that he had foretold. If Mark’s original audience was hearing his Gospel read to them in the late AD 60s, they knew that Roman legions were already enacting this prophetic judgment against Jerusalem.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.