TRV
“The Fig Tree Withered”· Matthew 21:18–22
Translation
King James Version
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?
World English Bible Messianic
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when his disciples saw it, they marueiled, saying, How soone is the figge tree withered!
Young's Literal Translation
And the disciples having seen, did wonder, saying, `How did the fig-tree forthwith wither?'
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But if the Lord come seeking fruit with temptations, and one be found having nought of righteousness but only a profession of faith, which is leaves without fruit, he is soon withered, losing even his seeming faith; and every disciple makes this fig tree to wither, by making it be seen that he is void of Christ, as Peter said to Simon, Thy heart is not right in the sight of God (Acts 8:21.) For it is better that a deceitful fig tree which is thought to be alive, yet brings forth no fruit, should be withered up at the word of Christ's disciples, than that by an imposture it should steal aawy innocent hearts. Also there is in every unbeliever a mountain great in proportion to his unbelief, which is removed by the words of Christ's disciples.
Herein also we find proof of the Lord's goodness; where He was minded to show forth an instance of the salvation procured by His means, He exerted the power of His might on the persons of men; by healing their present sicknesses, encouraging them to hope for the future, and to look for the healing of their soul. But now when He would exhibit a type of His judgments on the rebellious, He represents the future by the destruction of a tree; Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever.
And that is compared to a fig tree, because the Apostles being the first believers out of Israel, like green figs shall in the glory, and the time, of their resurrection, be before the rest.
This was at once a type of the Gentiles, and no small comfort to the Apostles; for that they might not be perplexed, contriving how having no education for the purpose they should preach the Gospel, these children going before them did away that fear; for He who made these to sing His praises, shall give speech to those. This miracle also shows that Christ was the Framer of nature; seeing the children spoke things full of meaning, and agreeing with the Prophets, whereas the men uttered things meaningless, and full of frenzy.
He came not because He was an hungred, but for His disciples' sake; for because He ever did good and inflicted suffering on none, it behoved that He should set forth an example of His power of punishment; and this He would not exert upon man, but upon a plant.
This was only a supposition of the disciples that it was cursed because it had not fruit; for another Evangelist says that it was not yet the season. Why then was it cursed? For the disciples' sake, that they might learn that He had power to wither up those who crucified Him. And He worked this miracle in that which of all plants is the most juicy, that the greatness of the miracle might be more apparent. And when aught of this kind is done to brutes or vegetables, ask not whether the fig were with justice withered up, seeing it was not the season for its fruit; for to enquire thus were extreme madness, for in such creatures there can be neither fault nor punishment; but consider the miracle, and admire the Worker of it.
And that you may learn that this was done for their sakes, to the end, namely, that they should be stirred up to confidence, hear what is said further. Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, if ye shall have faith.
This that the Lord speaks of He ascribes to prayer and faith; whence He continues, And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive.
(Verse 18 and following) But when he returned to the city in the morning, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, he went to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, 'May no fruit ever come from you again!' And immediately the fig tree withered. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, 'How did the fig tree wither at once?' After the darkness of the night had dispersed, as the morning light shone and midday approached, during which the Lord was going to illuminate the world by means of his passion, when he returned to the city, he was hungry. Whether to reveal the truth of his human flesh or to hunger for the salvation of believers and to burn with incredulity towards the Jews. And when he saw a certain tree (which we understand to be the Synagogue and assembly of the Jews) by the road, for it had the Law and therefore it was by the road, because it did not believe in the way, he came to it, standing namely and immobile, and not having the feet of the Gospel: and he found nothing in it, except leaves alone, the noise of promises, Pharisaic traditions, and the ostentation of the Law, and the ornaments of words without any fruits of truth. And another evangelist says: For the time had not yet come (Mark 10:13); either because the time of the salvation of Israel had not yet come, since the Gentile people had not yet entered, or because the time of faith had passed, because, coming to him first, and rejected, it had passed to the nations. And he said to him: May no fruit ever be born from you, either forever or for eternity: for both αἰὼν (( Al. αἰῶνα)) in Greek means. And the little bed was dried up, which did not have the food that the hungry Lord desired. Likewise, the leaves withered, so that only the trunk remained, and with the branches broken, the root revived. If it wishes to believe in the last times, may the shoot of faith sprout, and may the Scripture be fulfilled, saying: 'There is hope for a tree.' (Job 14:7). However, according to the letter, the Lord, who was to suffer among the peoples and bear the scandal of the cross, had to strengthen the hearts of his disciples with the anticipation of a sign. And the disciples were amazed, saying: How did it wither immediately? Therefore, by the same power, could the Savior also dry up his enemies, unless he had awaited their salvation through repentance.
Hence it is to be understood that the Lord was in so great poverty, and so far from having courted any one, that He had found in all that city neither entertainer, nor abode, but He made His home in a little village, in the house of Lazarus and his sisters; for their village was Bethany; and it follows, and He lodged there.
When the shades of night were dispersed, and He was returning to the city, the Lord was an hungred, thus showing the reality of His human body.
The Lord about to suffer among the nations, and to take upon Him the offence of the Cross, sought to strengthen the minds of His disciples by a previous miracle; whence it follows, And seeing a fig-tree by the wayside, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only.
For ever, (in sempiternum,) or, To the end of the world, (in sæculum,) for the Greek word αἰῶγ signifies both.
The Gentile dogs bark against us, affirming that the Apostles had not faith, because they were not able to remove mountains. To whom we answer, that many wonders were done by the Lord which are not written; and therefore we believe the Apostles to have done some not written; and that they were therefore not written, that the unbelieving might not have in them larger room for cavilling. For let us ask them, do they believe the miracles which are written, or do they not? And when they look incredulous, we can then establish that they who believe not the lesser would not have believed the greater.
The tree which He saw by the wayside we understand as the synagogue, which was nigh to the way inasmuch as it had the Law, but yet believed not on the way, that is, on Christ.
(de Cons. Ev. ii. 68.) It must be considered that Mark relates the wonder of the disciples at the withering of the tree, and the answer of the Lord concerning faith, to have been not on the day following the cursing of the tree, but on the third day after; and that on the second day Mark relates the casting of the merchants out of the Temple, which he had omitted on the first day. On the second day then he says that He went forth out of the city in the evening, and that as they passed by in the morning, the disciples then saw that the fig tree was withered. But Matthew speaks as though all this had been done on the day following. This must be so taken as that when Matthew, having related that the fig tree was dried up, adds immediately, omitting all the events of the second day, And when the disciples saw if, they marvelled, he yet meant that it was on another day that they marvelled. For the tree must be supposed to have withered at the time it was cursed, not at the time they saw it. For they did not see it withering, but when it was withered, and by that they understood that it had withered immediately upon the Lord's words.
Now in order to convey this truth the Lord acted prophetically. By this I mean that in reference to the fig tree, it was not his will merely to exhibit a miracle but rather through this sign to convey an intimation of that which was to come. He often taught and persuaded us by such means. So even when our wills resist, he persuades us and brings us to faith.We first ask how was it the tree's fault that it had no fruit? Even if it had no fruit in its proper season, its season of mature fruit, still the tree would bear no fault. For the tree is without sense and reason, so it could not be blamed. But to this perplexity is added another, which we read in the narrative of the other Evangelist who expressly mentions this: "It was not the time for that fruit." For this was the time when the fig tree was just shooting forth its tender leaves, which come, as we know, long before the fruit. This sequence has a spiritual meaning. The time for fruit was soon coming with the day of the Lord's Passion, which was at hand. And so to make this clear, the Evangelist, to his credit, notes that "the time of figs was not yet." So then, if it was only a miracle that was being demonstrated and not something to be prophetically prefigured, it would have been much more worthy of the clemency and mercy of the Lord if he had found a withered tree and restored it to life. This would seem more in accord with his healing of the sick, cleansing lepers and raising the dead.
But to the contrary, as though against the ordinary rule of his charity, he found a green tree, not yet bearing fruit, even before its fruit-bearing season but still awaiting the hope of fruit, and what does he do? He withers it straight away! This is a prophetic anticipation of things soon to come, by which he in effect says to us: "I have no delight in the withering away of this tree. By doing so I want to convey to you that I am not acting absurdly but for a lesson you might take more seriously. It is not this literal tree that I have cursed. It is not on an insensible tree that I have inflicted punishment. Rather, I have made you fear, whoever you are who considers this matter, that you should not fail Christ when he is hungry and that you might hope to be in the coming season of fruit than to be in the preparatory season of leaves." …
Therefore, beloved, I must tell you and teach you according to my poor abilities that which the Lord has given me for your benefit. I must convey to you what you may hold as a rule in the interpretation of all Scripture. Everything that is said or done is to be understood either in its literal signification, or else it signifies something figuratively; or it may contain both of these at once, both its own literal interpretation and a figurative signification also.…
Thus Christ, wishing to convey this lesson to us, wanted us to produce fruit and in this way set forth for us a figurative fiction which is not a deceiving fiction but a fiction worthy of praise.
A bad man is better overcome by giving way to him than by replying to him; for wickedness is not instructed but stimulated by reproof. The Lord accordingly sought by withdrawing Himself to check those whom His words could not check; whence it is said, And He left them, and went out of the city into Bethany.
Seeking surely to lodge in the body where His spirit also reposed; for so it is with all holy men, they love to be not where sumptuous banquets are, but where holiness flourishes.
For had His hunger been as man for carnal food, He would not have hungred in the morning; he truly hungers in the morning who hungers after the salvation of others.
Also the fig in respect of the multitude of seeds under one skin is as it were an assembly of the faithful. But He finds nothing on it but leaves only, that is, pharisaical traditions, an outward show of the Law without the fruits of truth.
Or; Into the sea, that is, into the world where the waters are salt, i. e. the people are wicked.
That is, nigh to the world; for if a man lives nigh to the world, he cannot preserve in himself the fruit of righteousness.
But whenever we are not heard when we pray, it is either because we ask something adverse to the means of our salvation; or because the perverseness of those for whom we ask hinders its being granted to them; or because the performance of our request is put off to a future time, that our desires may wax stronger, and so may have more perfect capacity for the joys they seek after.
And he avenges his exclusion from the elect by more cruel treatment of the reprobate.
Of the many miracles which the Lord performed, all were done to do good, for He performed no miracles of chastisement. Therefore, lest anyone think that He is unable to chastise, here He shows this power as well, not applied to men but to a tree, as He loves mankind. He also did the same on a previous occasion to the swine. He withers the tree, then, in order to chasten men. The disciples marvel, and with good reason. For the fig tree contains a great amount of sap, and so the fact that it withered immediately serves all the more to indicate the miracle. The fig tree means the synagogue of the Jews, which has only leaves, that is, the visible letter of the law, but not the fruit of the Spirit. But also every man who gives himself over to the sweetness of the present life is likened to a fig tree, who has no spiritual fruit to give to Jesus who is hungry for such fruit, but only leaves, that is, temporal appearances which fall away and are gone. This man, then, hears himself cursed. For Christ says, Go, ye accursed, into the fire (Mt. 25:41). But he is also dried up; for as he roasts in the flame, his tongue is parched and withered like that of the rich man of the parable, who in his life had ignored Lazarus.
(ap. Anselm.) For in permitting His flesh to suffer that which properly pertains to flesh, He fore-shews His passion. Mark the earnest zeal of the active labourer, Who is said to have gone early into the city to preach, and to gain some to His Father.
(ord.) The Creator does no wrong to the owner, but His creature at His will is converted to the profit of others.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
Upon witnessing the immediate and complete desiccation of the fig tree Jesus had cursed the previous day, the disciples were filled with profound astonishment. Their reaction, expressed in their question, "How soon is the fig tree withered away!", underscores the miraculous and instantaneous nature of Jesus' divine power, setting the stage for His subsequent teaching on the efficacy of faith and prayer.
Context
Literary Context
This incident is strategically placed within Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, immediately following His triumphal entry into the city and His cleansing of the Temple. Having entered Jerusalem as Messiah-King, Jesus then asserts His authority over the corrupted religious system by driving out the merchants from the Temple, declaring it a "den of robbers" rather than a "house of prayer" (Matthew 21:12-13). The cursing of the fig tree on the way back to Jerusalem from Bethany (Matthew 21:18-19) serves as a prophetic object lesson, a visual parable of judgment against spiritual barrenness. The disciples' observation in Matthew 21:20 then directly prompts Jesus' teaching on faith and mountain-moving prayer in Matthew 21:21-22, linking divine authority, judgment, and the power available to believers through faith.
Historical & Cultural Context
Fig trees were a common and vital part of the Palestinian landscape and diet. They typically produced an early crop of small, edible figs in late March or April, followed by the main crop in June. The narrative states Jesus found "nothing but leaves" (Matthew 21:19), indicating a failure to produce even the early, unripe figs that would normally precede the leaves. This detail is crucial, as the presence of leaves without any fruit (or even budding fruit) signified a deceptive appearance of vitality without actual productivity. Culturally, the fig tree was also a common biblical symbol for Israel, representing its spiritual state (Hosea 9:10 or Micah 7:1). Thus, the tree's barrenness and subsequent judgment would have resonated deeply with the disciples as a symbolic act against a nation that, despite its outward religious display, failed to bear the fruit of righteousness and faith.
Key Themes
The episode of the fig tree contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates The Authority of Jesus as the Son of God, capable of exercising divine judgment and wielding absolute power over creation, much like His authority over disease and demons (Matthew 8:16) or even the forces of nature (Matthew 8:26-27). Secondly, it highlights the theme of Spiritual Barrenness and Judgment, serving as a prophetic warning against outward religious profession that lacks genuine spiritual fruit, a concept reinforced by Jesus' teachings on true discipleship (Matthew 7:19-20). Finally, the disciples' "marvelled" reaction (Matthew 21:20) transitions directly into Jesus' teaching on the Power of Faith and Prayer, demonstrating that the same divine power seen in the fig tree's withering is accessible to those who believe and pray without doubting (Matthew 21:21-22).
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This verb, often used in its perfect tense to mean "to know," here primarily conveys the act of seeing or perceiving. The disciples didn't just glance; they observed the fig tree with a recognition that led to profound understanding of what had occurred. Their "seeing" was an act of beholding the dramatic and immediate consequence of Jesus' words.
Derived from a word meaning "wonder," this term expresses a strong sense of astonishment, amazement, or wonder. It indicates that the disciples were genuinely awestruck and perhaps even bewildered by the speed and completeness of the fig tree's demise. Their reaction highlights the truly miraculous nature of the event, which defied natural processes.
This verb means "to desiccate," "to dry up," or "to shrivel." Its use here emphasizes the total and irreversible nature of the fig tree's decay. It wasn't just losing leaves or wilting; it was completely dried up, signifying a state of utter lifelessness and destruction, a stark contrast to its appearance just hours before.
Verse Breakdown
"And when the disciples saw [it]"
This clause establishes the immediate context of the disciples' observation. Having been present when Jesus cursed the fig tree the previous day, their return to the same spot allowed them to witness the dramatic fulfillment of His pronouncement. Their act of "seeing" is not a casual glance but an attentive observation of the tree's condition.
"they marvelled, saying"
This phrase describes the disciples' emotional and verbal response to what they saw. The verb "marvelled" (ἐθαύμασαν) conveys their profound astonishment and wonder, indicating that the speed and totality of the fig tree's withering were beyond their comprehension. Their amazement was so great that it immediately prompted them to speak, seeking an explanation or expressing their awe.
"How soon is the fig tree withered away!"
This exclamation reveals the specific aspect of the miracle that most astonished the disciples: its instantaneousness. The Greek word "parachrēma" (soon/immediately) emphasizes the suddenness. Natural processes of decay take time, but this tree had withered completely overnight, demonstrating Jesus' absolute and immediate power over creation. This question sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on faith.
Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs Symbolism, where the fig tree functions as a powerful representation. The fig tree, with its leaves but no fruit, symbolizes Israel's religious leadership and, by extension, the nation itself, which possessed the outward appearance of piety (leaves) but lacked genuine spiritual fruit (righteousness, faith, good works). Jesus' curse on the tree is therefore a Prophetic Act, a visual parable of divine judgment against spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy. The disciples' exclamation, "How soon is the fig tree withered away!", while literal, also carries an element of Hyperbole in its expression of extreme surprise, emphasizing the extraordinary speed of the event and highlighting the immediate efficacy of Jesus' words.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The immediate withering of the fig tree serves as a potent theological statement about God's expectation of fruitfulness from His people and the certain judgment that awaits spiritual barrenness. It underscores that outward religious observance or profession without an inward reality of faith and corresponding good works is ultimately futile and subject to divine scrutiny. This event, therefore, is not merely a display of power but a profound object lesson on the nature of true discipleship, which must bear the fruit of righteousness that glorifies God. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of God's patience, which eventually gives way to decisive judgment when repentance and fruitfulness are absent.
Reflection and Application
The disciples' astonishment at the withered fig tree prompts us to consider the profound implications of spiritual barrenness in our own lives. Just as the fig tree had the outward appearance of life but lacked fruit, we too can fall into the trap of religious activity without genuine spiritual vitality. This passage challenges us to move beyond mere outward displays of faith and to cultivate a deep, abiding relationship with Christ that naturally produces the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control). The swiftness of the fig tree's judgment serves as a sobering reminder that while God is patient, there is a limit to His forbearance for unfruitfulness. Therefore, we are called to a life of active, fruitful faith, trusting in God's power and aligning our prayers with His will, knowing that He desires to work powerfully through us to bear much fruit for His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
Jesus cursed the fig tree not out of petulance or hunger, but as a symbolic, prophetic act. The fig tree, having leaves but no fruit, represented Israel (particularly its religious leadership) which had the outward appearance of piety and spiritual vitality (leaves) but lacked genuine spiritual fruit (righteousness, faith, obedience to God's will). The cursing was a visual parable, a warning of the judgment that would come upon a nation that failed to produce the fruit God expected, despite its religious privileges and outward show. This action is consistent with other parables of judgment Jesus taught, such as the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13.
What is the significance of the fig tree having leaves but no fruit?
The presence of leaves without fruit signifies a deceptive appearance. In that region, fig trees typically produced small, edible early figs before or at the same time as the leaves appeared. If a fig tree had leaves, it was expected to have at least some fruit. Thus, the fig tree's leafy appearance suggested fruitfulness, but its barrenness revealed a hollow reality. Spiritually, this symbolized the religious leaders and the nation of Israel, who maintained an outward show of devotion and adherence to the Law, yet lacked the true spiritual fruit of faith, righteousness, and a genuine relationship with God. It was a visual indictment of hypocrisy and spiritual unfruitfulness.
Does this passage teach that we can curse things with our words?
No, this passage does not teach believers to curse things with their words in a general sense. Jesus' action was a unique, divinely authorized prophetic act, demonstrating His absolute authority over creation and His role as judge. While the subsequent verses (Matthew 21:21-22) speak of the power of faith and prayer to "move mountains," this refers to overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles through faith aligned with God's will, not a license for believers to pronounce curses on objects or people. The focus shifts from judgment to the positive power of faith in prayer.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The withered fig tree, a stark image of barrenness and judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. Firstly, Jesus, as the true Israel (Isaiah 49:3), embodies the perfect fruitfulness that the fig tree, representing unfaithful Israel, failed to produce. He is the one who perfectly fulfills God's expectations, bearing the fruit of righteousness and obedience unto death (Philippians 2:8). Secondly, the judgment pronounced upon the barren fig tree foreshadows Christ's ultimate judgment upon all spiritual unfruitfulness and sin, a judgment that He, in His infinite love, bore upon Himself on the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His atoning sacrifice, He takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), offering a path to true spiritual fruitfulness for those who were once barren. Finally, Jesus Himself is the source of all true fruitfulness for His followers; as the True Vine, He declares that apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). Thus, the fig tree's barrenness highlights our need for Christ, who not only embodies perfect fruitfulness but also empowers us, through His Spirit, to bear abundant fruit for God's glory (Galatians 5:22-23).