King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And when the disciples saw [it], they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Complete Jewish Bible:
The talmidim saw this and were amazed. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.
Berean Standard Bible:
When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
American Standard Version:
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} when the disciples{G3101} saw{G1492} it, they marvelled{G2296}, saying{G3004}, How{G4459} soon{G3916} is the fig tree{G4808} withered away{G3583}!
Cross-References (KJV):
Isaiah 40:6
- The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:
Isaiah 40:8
- The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Mark 11:20
- And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Mark 11:21
- And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
James 1:10
- But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
James 1:11
- For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
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Commentary for Matthew 21:20
Matthew 21:20 is part of a narrative in the New Testament that occurs during the final week of Jesus' earthly ministry, often referred to as Holy Week. The verse immediately follows the account of Jesus cursing a fig tree, which is symbolic of judgment on fruitlessness and hypocrisy, particularly that of the Jewish religious leaders of the time. The fig tree, which was full of leaves but bore no fruit, represented a false outward appearance of piety and vitality that was not matched by genuine spiritual fruit or good works.
In the broader context, Jesus had entered Jerusalem to the acclaim of the crowds, an event celebrated as Palm Sunday. He then proceeded to cleanse the Temple, challenging the commercialization and corruption he found there. The withering of the fig tree serves as a parable in action, illustrating the imminent judgment on those who appear outwardly religious but lack true faith and righteousness.
The disciples' reaction of marveling at how quickly the fig tree withered away reflects their astonishment at Jesus' authority and power over nature, which underscores his divine identity and the importance of bearing spiritual fruit. The incident is also a lesson on the effectiveness of faith and prayer, as Jesus uses it to teach his disciples about the power of faith-filled prayer to "move mountains," or in other words, to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles (Matthew 21:21-22).
Historically, this event is set against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Jerusalem, as Jesus' ministry was increasingly at odds with the religious establishment. The theme of fruitfulness and authenticity in one's relationship with God is a central motif in Jesus' teachings, and the cursing of the fig tree is a vivid example of this theme, encapsulating the urgency of spiritual integrity and the consequences of failing to produce good fruit in one's life.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3101
There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μαθητής
Transliteration: mathētḗs
Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple. - Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι. - Strong's Number: G2296
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θαυμάζω
Transliteration: thaumázō
Pronunciation: thou-mad'-zo
Description: from θαῦμα; to wonder; by implication, to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder. - Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter. - Strong's Number: G4459
There are 100 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πῶς
Transliteration: pōs
Pronunciation: poce
Description: adverb from the base of ποῦ; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!:--how, after (by) what manner (means), that. (Occasionally unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G3916
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: παραχρῆμα
Transliteration: parachrēma
Pronunciation: par-akh-ray'-mah
Description: from παρά and χρῆμα (in its original sense); at the thing itself, i.e. instantly:--forthwith, immediately, presently, straightway, soon. - Strong's Number: G4808
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συκῆ
Transliteration: sykē
Pronunciation: soo-kay'
Description: from σῦκον; a fig-tree:--fig tree. - Strong's Number: G3583
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ξηραίνω
Transliteration: xēraínō
Pronunciation: xay-rah'-ee-no
Description: from ξηρός; to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature:--dry up, pine away, be ripe, wither (away).