Mark 11:21

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Mark 11:21 captures Peter's astonishment at the immediate and complete fulfillment of Jesus' word regarding the fig tree. This brief observation serves as a pivotal moment, transitioning from Jesus' symbolic action to His profound teaching on faith and prayer.

Context

This verse follows the events of the previous day, where Jesus had cursed a barren fig tree because it bore no fruit, despite having leaves. This act was immediately preceded by His cleansing of the Temple, an action that symbolically highlighted the spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. As Jesus and His disciples passed by the fig tree again, Peter noticed its dramatic state, prompting his exclamation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Authority and Power: Peter's exclamation, "Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away," underscores the immense authority and power of Jesus' spoken word. It demonstrates that Jesus' words are not mere suggestions but carry immediate, transformative power, fulfilling what He declares.
  • Symbol of Barrenness and Judgment: The fig tree serves as a potent symbol. In Jewish tradition, fig trees often represented Israel. Its barrenness, despite its leafy appearance, symbolized Israel's spiritual unfruitfulness and lack of genuine worship, particularly in the context of the Temple, which had become a "den of thieves" (Mark 11:17). The swift withering signifies divine judgment on spiritual hypocrisy and unfruitfulness.
  • Disciples' Amazement and Faith's Witness: The disciples, especially Peter, witnessed this miracle firsthand. Their surprise and recognition of Jesus' power validate His divine nature and set the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on faith and prayer, emphasizing that such power is accessible through belief.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "withered away" (Greek: exerantai) implies a complete, root-and-all desiccation, not just a temporary wilting. It signifies a total and irreversible judgment, showing the absolute efficacy of Jesus' curse.

Practical Application

This passage challenges believers to examine their own spiritual lives for genuine fruitfulness, not just outward religious display (Luke 13:6-9). It serves as a stark reminder that God seeks true spiritual life and righteousness, not mere appearances. Furthermore, it reinforces the incredible power of God's word and the certainty of His judgments. What He declares, comes to pass. Ultimately, this event transitions into a powerful lesson on the importance of unwavering faith and prayer in God (Matthew 21:21).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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