Mark 11:20

KJV

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} in the morning {G4404}, as they passed by {G3899}, they saw {G1492} the fig tree {G4808} dried up {G3583} from {G1537} the roots {G4491}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the morning, as the talmidim passed by, they saw the fig tree withered all the way to its roots.

Berean Standard Bible

As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots.

American Standard Version

And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:20 vividly recounts the disciples' discovery of the fig tree, cursed by Jesus the previous day, now completely withered from its roots. This striking visual serves as a powerful confirmation of Christ's divine authority and the immediate efficacy of His word, setting the stage for His subsequent profound teaching on the nature of faith, prayer, and the implications of spiritual barrenness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 11:20 forms the concluding part of a significant literary device known as a "Markan sandwich" or intercalation, which began in [Mark 11:12-14](/mark/11-12-14 "Mark 11:12-14 - Jesus Curses the Fig Tree"). In this structure, the narrative of the fig tree is interrupted by Jesus' dramatic cleansing of the Temple in [Mark 11:15-19](/mark/11-15-19 "Mark 11:15-19 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"). By returning to the fig tree in verse 20, Mark intentionally draws a parallel between the barrenness of the tree and the spiritual barrenness and corruption Jesus found within the Temple and among the religious leadership of His time. The withered tree becomes a prophetic object lesson, immediately preceding Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer in [Mark 11:22-24](/mark/11-22-24 "Mark 11:22-24 - Jesus Teaches on Faith and Prayer"), demonstrating the power of God's word and the consequences of spiritual unfruitfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Mark 11 occur during Passion Week, specifically on the morning after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Fig trees were common in ancient Israel, providing essential food and shade, and their leaves typically appeared before the fruit. To find a fig tree with leaves but no fruit (even if it wasn't the main fig season) could symbolize a deceptive appearance of vitality without substance. More profoundly, the fig tree often served as a metaphor for Israel in Old Testament prophecy, particularly regarding its spiritual condition and covenant faithfulness (e.g., [Jeremiah 8:13](/jeremiah/8-13 "Jeremiah 8:13 - Barren Fig Tree as Judgment")). The Temple, which Jesus had just cleansed, was the heart of Jewish religious and national identity, yet it had become a place of commercial exploitation and spiritual hypocrisy, failing to be "a house of prayer for all nations" ([Mark 11:17](/mark/11-17 "Mark 11:17 - Jesus' Quote from Isaiah and Jeremiah")). The immediate and complete withering of the tree would have been a shocking sign to the disciples, especially in light of the Temple's condition.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 11:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores **Christ's Divine Authority and Power**, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation through the immediate and irreversible effect of His spoken word. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment on Barrenness and Hypocrisy**. The fig tree, outwardly promising but inwardly fruitless, serves as a potent symbol for those who possess an outward show of religiosity but lack genuine spiritual fruit or true devotion to God. This foreshadows the judgment upon those who reject God's Messiah and fail to bear fruit for His kingdom, echoing the parable of the barren fig tree in [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree"). Finally, the incident acts as a catalyst for Jesus' subsequent teaching on **Faith and Prayer**, emphasizing that genuine faith, even "mountain-moving" faith, is rooted in God's power and promises, not human effort.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This primary verb means to see, perceive, or know. In this context, it emphasizes the disciples' direct observation and comprehension of the miraculous event. Their "seeing" is not merely visual but leads to an understanding of the profound implications of Jesus' action, prompting Peter's exclamation in the subsequent verse.
* **dried up (Greek, _xēraínō'_):** Derived from *xēros* (dry), this verb means to desiccate, shrivel, or wither. The use of the perfect passive participle (ἐξηραμμένον - *exērammenon*) indicates a completed action with lasting results. It signifies a total and irreversible state of desiccation, not just a temporary wilting, highlighting the completeness of the curse.
* **roots (Greek, _rhíza'_):** This word refers to the underground part of a plant that anchors it and absorbs water and nutrients. The phrase "from the roots" emphasizes the radical and complete nature of the tree's destruction. Its life source was entirely cut off, signifying that the judgment was not superficial but fundamental and absolute, leaving no hope of recovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the morning, as they passed by,"**: This clause establishes the setting – the morning after Jesus cursed the fig tree and cleansed the Temple. The disciples and Jesus are returning from Bethany to Jerusalem, retracing their steps. The phrase "as they passed by" (παραπορευόμενοι - *paraporeuomenoi*) indicates their journey and casual observation, making the discovery all the more striking.
* **"they saw the fig tree"**: This is the moment of discovery. The disciples, who had witnessed Jesus' curse the previous day, now directly observe the result. Their seeing is crucial, as it provides undeniable evidence of Jesus' power and sets the stage for His subsequent teaching.
* **"dried up from the roots."**: This phrase describes the astonishing condition of the fig tree. The use of "dried up" (perfect passive participle) signifies a completed and permanent state, while "from the roots" emphasizes the totality and irreversibility of the desiccation. It was not merely the leaves or branches that had withered, but the very source of its life had been eradicated, indicating a profound and comprehensive judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the fig tree itself functions as a symbol, primarily representing Israel and its religious leadership. Its outward display of leaves without fruit symbolizes a nation that possessed the outward forms of religion (the Temple, the Law) but lacked the spiritual fruit of righteousness, faith, and genuine worship. The tree's withering is thus a powerful act of **Prophetic Sign-Act**, visually communicating God's impending judgment upon a spiritually barren system. Furthermore, there is an element of **Dramatic Irony** in the disciples' astonishment; while they are surprised by the immediate and complete desiccation, Jesus knew the outcome of His word from the moment He spoke it, underscoring His divine foresight and authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 11:20 serves as a profound theological statement about the nature of God's judgment and the power of Christ's word. The complete and irreversible destruction of the fig tree from its roots signifies a judgment that is not superficial but fundamental, targeting the very source of unfruitfulness. This event underscores that God, through Christ, holds ultimate authority over creation and history, and His patience with spiritual barrenness has limits. It connects the Old Testament prophetic warnings against Israel's unfruitfulness with the New Testament's call for genuine spiritual fruit, emphasizing that outward religious observance without inward transformation and fruit-bearing is ultimately condemned. The incident also acts as a powerful object lesson, preparing the disciples for Jesus' teaching on the efficacy of faith-filled prayer.

* [Jeremiah 8:13](/jeremiah/8-13 "Jeremiah 8:13 - Barren Fig Tree Imagery")
* [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree")
* [John 15:1-8](/john/15-1-8 "John 15:1-8 - Jesus, the True Vine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The sight of the withered fig tree in Mark 11:20 is a stark and enduring image for believers today. It compels us to move beyond mere outward appearances of faith to cultivate genuine spiritual fruitfulness. Just as the fig tree was judged for its lack of fruit despite its promising leaves, we are called to bear the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—and the fruit of righteous living. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives: are we merely displaying a form of godliness, or are our lives truly producing fruit that honors God and blesses others? It also reinforces the incredible power available through faith in Christ and prayer that aligns with His will, reminding us that an authentic relationship with God yields tangible, life-transforming results.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be displaying "leaves" (outward religiosity) without bearing "fruit" (genuine spiritual transformation)?**
* **How does the completeness of the fig tree's desiccation challenge my understanding of God's patience and judgment?**
* **What specific "fruit" am I being called to cultivate more intentionally in my daily walk with Christ?**
* **How does this passage encourage me to pray with greater faith and confidence in Christ's authority?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus curse a fig tree that seemingly had no fruit because it wasn't the season for figs?**

Answer: The cursing of the fig tree is best understood not as an act of petulance by Jesus, but as a symbolic sign-act, a prophetic parable in action. While it may not have been the main fig season, some early figs could appear with the leaves. More importantly, the fig tree, with its prominent leaves but no fruit, symbolized Israel (and particularly its religious leadership and the Temple system) which had the outward appearance of covenant faithfulness and religious observance but lacked the spiritual fruit of righteousness, genuine worship, and acceptance of God's Messiah. Jesus' action was a dramatic visual prophecy of judgment upon spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy, foreshadowing the impending judgment on Jerusalem and its Temple, which He had just cleansed.

**What is the significance of the fig tree being "dried up from the roots"?**

Answer: The phrase "dried up from the roots" emphasizes the completeness, finality, and irreversibility of the judgment. It wasn't just a superficial wilting of leaves or branches; the entire life source of the tree was eradicated. This signifies that the judgment upon spiritual barrenness is radical and absolute, leaving no hope of recovery unless there is genuine repentance and fruit-bearing. It highlights the severity and totality of the spiritual judgment symbolized by the tree, applying to any system or individual that outwardly professes faith but inwardly lacks true spiritual vitality and fruit.

**How does this event relate to Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer that immediately follows?**

Answer: The withered fig tree serves as a powerful object lesson that directly prompts Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer in [Mark 11:22-24](/mark/11-22-24 "Mark 11:22-24 - Jesus Teaches on Faith and Prayer"). The disciples' astonishment at the tree's condition leads Peter to exclaim, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!" Jesus uses this miraculous demonstration of His authority to teach them about the power available to those who have faith in God. The immediate and complete effect of His word on the fig tree illustrates that with genuine, unwavering faith, even seemingly impossible things can be accomplished through prayer, provided it is aligned with God's will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The withered fig tree, "dried up from the roots," powerfully points to Christ's ultimate fulfillment as both the righteous Judge and the source of true life. Jesus, the Son of God, demonstrates His divine authority over creation, revealing that His word is not mere utterance but possesses inherent, life-altering power. This act of judgment on barrenness foreshadows His role as the ultimate Judge, who will separate the fruitful from the unfruitful, the genuine from the hypocritical, on the day of reckoning. More profoundly, the judgment on the fig tree, symbolizing the old covenant system and the Temple's spiritual barrenness, points to Christ's own impending sacrifice. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the new and living way, the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus and the Temple")), and the source of genuine spiritual fruitfulness for all who believe. The old system, like the fig tree, was destined to wither, making way for the new covenant established in His blood, where believers, grafted into Him, the [True Vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), can bear abundant and lasting fruit by the power of the Holy Spirit. This complete desiccation ultimately underscores that true life and fruitfulness are found only in Him, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), and not in outward religious performance or a barren system.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 15:13

But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

John 15:6

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.

Matthew 13:6

And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

Matthew 21:19

And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.

Matthew 21:22

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:14

And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard [it].

Isaiah 40:24

Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble.