Mark 11:20

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Mark 11:20 KJV describes the striking visual confirmation of Jesus' earlier action: the fig tree He had cursed the previous day was now completely withered, "dried up from the roots." This verse serves as a powerful testament to Christ's divine authority and sets the stage for His subsequent teaching on faith and prayer.

Context and Narrative Flow

This verse is part of a significant narrative sequence in Mark's Gospel, often referred to as a "Markan sandwich" or intercalation. The incident of the fig tree begins in Mark 11:12-14, where Jesus, finding no fruit on a fig tree despite it having leaves, curses it. Immediately following this, Mark records Jesus' dramatic cleansing of the Temple in Mark 11:15-19. Mark 11:20 then returns to the fig tree, revealing the immediate and total effect of Jesus' curse. This literary structure intentionally connects the barrenness of the fig tree with the spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy Jesus observed in the Temple and among the religious leadership of His time.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Christ's Word: The immediate and complete desiccation of the fig tree vividly illustrates Jesus' unparalleled authority over creation. His spoken word carries divine power, capable of bringing about instantaneous and irreversible change.
  • Judgment on Barrenness and Hypocrisy: The fig tree, with its outward display of leaves but no fruit, symbolizes spiritual barrenness. It represents those who have an appearance of religiosity but lack true spiritual fruit or genuine devotion to God. This serves as a prophetic warning against superficial faith and a foreshadowing of judgment upon those who reject God's Messiah (compare Luke 13:6-9).
  • A Lesson in Faith: The disciples' astonishment at the withered tree prompts Jesus to deliver a profound teaching on the power of faith and prayer in Mark 11:22-24. The fig tree incident thus becomes a visual aid for understanding the efficacy of genuine faith.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "dried up from the roots" (Greek: ξηραίνω - xērainō) is significant. It emphasizes the completeness and finality of the tree's destruction. It wasn't just a wilting of leaves or branches; the entire source of life was eradicated. This highlights the severity and totality of the spiritual judgment symbolized by the tree.

Practical Application

For believers today, Mark 11:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual fruitfulness. Just as the fig tree was judged for its lack of fruit despite its outward appearance, we are called to bear fruit in our lives—the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.) and the fruit of righteous living (John 15:8). This passage encourages self-examination: are we merely displaying an outward form of godliness, or are we truly producing fruit that honors God? It also reinforces the incredible power available through faith in Christ and prayer according to His will.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 15:13 (5 votes)

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

  • John 15:6 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Matthew 21:19 (4 votes)

    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 (4 votes)

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

  • Mark 11:14 (4 votes)

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

  • Isaiah 40:24 (2 votes)

    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.