Mark 11:21

KJV

And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Peter {G4074} calling to remembrance {G363} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Master {G4461}, behold {G2396}, the fig tree {G4808} which {G3739} thou cursedst {G2672} is withered away {G3583}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Kefa remembered and said to Yeshua, "Rabbi! Look! The fig tree that you cursed has dried up!"

Berean Standard Bible

Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

American Standard Version

And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 11:21 records Peter's astonished exclamation to Jesus upon seeing the fig tree, which Jesus had cursed the previous day, completely withered from its roots. This moment serves as a powerful validation of Jesus' divine authority and the immediate efficacy of His spoken word, setting the stage for His subsequent teaching on the power of faith and prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial pivot in Mark's narrative, bridging Jesus' symbolic act of cursing the fig tree on Monday morning (Mark 11:12-14) with His teaching on faith and prayer on Tuesday morning (Mark 11:22-25). The fig tree incident is intentionally sandwiched around the cleansing of the Temple (Mark 11:15-19), forming a literary "sandwich" or "Markan intercalation." This structure highlights the thematic connection between the barren fig tree and the spiritually unfruitful Temple system. Peter's observation confirms the immediate and complete fulfillment of Jesus' pronouncement, providing a tangible demonstration of Jesus' authority before He delivers His lesson to the disciples.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Fig trees were a common sight in ancient Israel, prized for their fruit, which was a staple food. A fig tree with leaves but no fruit, especially outside the typical fruiting season, could be seen as deceptive, promising what it did not deliver. In Jewish prophetic tradition, the fig tree often symbolized Israel (e.g., Jeremiah 8:13, Hosea 9:10). Jesus' action of cursing the barren fig tree, therefore, carries profound symbolic weight, representing a divine judgment on Israel's spiritual barrenness and the hypocrisy of its religious leadership, particularly as manifested in the corrupted Temple system. The Temple, intended as a "house of prayer for all nations" ([Mark 11:17](/mark/11-17 "Mark 11:17 - Jesus' words about the Temple")), had become a place of commercial exploitation.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 11:21 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the **divine authority and power of Jesus**, demonstrating that His words are not merely pronouncements but carry immediate, transformative, and even destructive power. The fig tree serves as a potent **symbol of spiritual barrenness and impending judgment**, particularly directed towards a religious system that had outward appearances of piety but lacked genuine fruitfulness. Furthermore, Peter's astonishment and the disciples' witness set the stage for Jesus' teaching on **faith and prayer**, emphasizing that the power demonstrated by Jesus is accessible to those who believe without wavering, as seen in [Mark 11:22-24](/mark/11-22-24 "Mark 11:22-24 - Jesus' Teaching on Faith and Prayer").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Peter (Greek, _Pétros'_):** This word, meaning "a piece of rock" or "rock," is the name given to Simon by Jesus. Peter's role here as the one "calling to remembrance" and making the observation underscores his typical position as the spokesman for the disciples, often quick to speak and react. His recognition of the withered tree highlights the tangible, undeniable nature of Jesus' miracle.
* **calling to remembrance (Greek, _anamimnḗskō'_):** This verb signifies the act of recalling or recollecting something to mind. Peter's act of "calling to remembrance" indicates that he consciously connected the withered state of the tree to Jesus' specific action and words from the previous day. It's not a casual observation but a deliberate recognition of cause and effect, leading to his astonished declaration.
* **behold (Greek, _íde'_):** Used here as an interjection, this word expresses surprise, wonder, or a call to attention. Peter's use of "behold" conveys his astonishment at the dramatic and complete fulfillment of Jesus' curse. It draws Jesus' attention, and by extension, the reader's, to the undeniable evidence of divine power at work.
* **withered away (Greek, _xēraínō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "dry," this verb signifies to desiccate, shrivel, or dry up completely. The perfect passive participle used here ("is withered away") emphasizes the completed and permanent state of the fig tree. It's not merely wilting but utterly dried up, implying a total and irreversible judgment, demonstrating the absolute efficacy and finality of Jesus' curse.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him,"**: This clause establishes Peter as the speaker and highlights his active recollection of Jesus' previous action. His "calling to remembrance" (anamimnḗskō) suggests a deliberate mental process of connecting the current observation with the prior event, emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship between Jesus' curse and the tree's state. It sets up his ensuing declaration as a direct response to this realization.
* **"Master, behold,"**: Peter addresses Jesus with respect ("Master," _rhabbí_), acknowledging His authority. The interjection "behold" (íde) conveys Peter's astonishment and urgency, drawing Jesus' attention to the dramatic outcome. It functions as an exclamation of profound surprise and a call for Jesus to witness the powerful result of His own word.
* **"the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away."**: This is the core of Peter's observation, directly linking the tree's withered state to Jesus' specific act of cursing. The phrase "is withered away" (xēraínō) uses a perfect tense verb, emphasizing the complete and permanent desiccation of the tree, signifying not just a temporary wilting but a thorough and irreversible judgment. This immediate and total fulfillment underscores the immense, tangible power of Jesus' spoken word.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the fig tree serving as a clear representation of Israel, particularly its religious leadership, which outwardly appeared prosperous (leaves) but lacked spiritual fruit (no figs). The immediate and complete **withering** of the tree functions as a powerful visual metaphor for divine judgment on unfruitfulness and hypocrisy, echoing prophetic warnings against a barren nation. Peter's exclamation, "behold," introduces an element of **dramatic revelation**, highlighting the sudden and undeniable manifestation of Jesus' power. The entire episode also serves as **foreshadowing**, not only of the judgment awaiting unrepentant Israel but also of the power available to believers through faith and prayer, which Jesus will elaborate on in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 11:21 powerfully demonstrates the absolute authority of Jesus' word, linking His creative and judgmental power directly to His spoken commands. The immediate and complete withering of the fig tree serves as a vivid object lesson, not merely about agricultural failure, but about spiritual barrenness and the certainty of divine judgment on those who bear no fruit for God's kingdom. This event, sandwiched around the Temple cleansing, underscores the expectation of genuine spiritual life and worship from God's people, contrasting outward religious display with inward reality. It also sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on faith, connecting the efficacy of His power to the potential power available to His disciples through unwavering belief and prayer.

* [Matthew 21:21-22](/matthew/21-21-22 "Matthew 21:21-22 - Jesus' Teaching on Faith and Prayer")
* [Luke 13:6-9](/luke/13-6-9 "Luke 13:6-9 - Parable of the Barren Fig Tree")
* [James 1:6-8](/james/1-6-8 "James 1:6-8 - Asking in Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's astonishment at the withered fig tree should prompt us to consider the profound implications of Jesus' authority and the nature of true spiritual fruitfulness. This passage challenges us to move beyond superficial religious observance to cultivate a life that genuinely bears fruit for God's glory. Just as the fig tree had leaves but no fruit, we are called to examine whether our outward expressions of faith are matched by inward transformation and tangible acts of love, justice, and righteousness. The swift and complete judgment on the fig tree serves as a sobering reminder that God seeks authenticity and will not tolerate spiritual barrenness indefinitely. Furthermore, the transition to Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer in the following verses encourages us to embrace a radical trust in God's power, believing that what He declares, He will accomplish, and that through faith, we too can participate in His mighty works. This passage calls us to a life of genuine fruitfulness, unwavering faith, and persistent prayer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be displaying "leaves" (outward appearance) without "fruit" (genuine spiritual substance)?**
* **How does the immediate and complete withering of the fig tree challenge my understanding of Jesus' authority and the certainty of His word?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the importance of genuine faith and prayer in my own life, especially when facing seemingly impossible situations?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus curse a fig tree that wasn't in season for fruit?**

Answer: The cursing of the fig tree is primarily a symbolic act, not a literal expectation of fruit out of season. While it was not the time for ripe figs, fig trees in that region typically produced early, edible buds or "breba" figs before the main crop. A tree with full leaves, as this one had, would typically indicate that these early figs should be present. Therefore, its barrenness despite its leafy appearance signaled a deceptive promise of fruit. More importantly, the act serves as a prophetic parable, symbolizing God's judgment on Israel's spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy, particularly in the context of the Temple, which had become a place of commerce rather than prayer, as described in [Mark 11:15-17](/mark/11-15-17 "Mark 11:15-17 - Jesus Cleanses the Temple"). Jesus was demonstrating the consequences of unfruitfulness for those who outwardly appeared religious but lacked true spiritual life.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The withered fig tree in Mark 11:21 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus' identity as the true source of life and fruitfulness, and in His role as the one who brings both judgment and new covenant life. The barren fig tree, a symbol of old covenant Israel's unfruitfulness and impending judgment, points to Jesus as the one who inaugurates a new spiritual reality. He is the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine") from whom all genuine spiritual fruit must come, contrasting with the barrenness of the old system. His curse on the tree demonstrates His divine authority, not only over creation but also as the ultimate judge who will one day separate the fruitful from the unfruitful, as seen in parables like the [wheat and weeds](/matthew/13-24-30 "Matthew 13:24-30 - Parable of the Weeds"). Furthermore, the event transitions directly into Jesus' teaching on faith, emphasizing that through Him, believers are empowered to bear fruit and participate in God's kingdom work, a fruitfulness that is not based on outward religious performance but on a living, abiding relationship with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, leading to the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit"). Thus, the withered fig tree serves as a stark backdrop against which the vibrant, life-giving, and fruit-bearing reality of Christ and His new covenant people shines forth.

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

1 Corinthians 16:22

If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.

Proverbs 3:33

The curse of the LORD [is] in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Matthew 23:7

And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

Matthew 25:41

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Zechariah 5:3

Then said he unto me, This [is] the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off [as] on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off [as] on that side according to it.

Zechariah 5:4

I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.