Matthew 21:20

Matthew 21:20 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
• New International Version (NIV)When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.
• English Standard Version (ESV)When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither at once?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

Context of Matthew 21:20

18Now early in the morning, as Jesus was coming back to the city, He was hungry. 19Seeing a lone fig tree at the roadside, He went to it and found nothing but leaves on it; and He said to it, “Never again will fruit come from you.” And at once the fig tree withered. When the disciples saw it, they were astonished and asked, “How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?” 21Jesus replied to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have faith [personal trust and confidence in Me] and do not doubt or allow yourself to be drawn in two directions, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen [if God wills it]. 22And whatever you ask for in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Matthew 21:20 word by word

καὶ ἰδόντες οἱ μαθηταὶ ἐθαύμασαν λέγοντες· πῶς παραχρῆμα ἐξηράνθη ἡ συκῆ;¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• whenὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
• the disciplesὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the disciplesμαθητήςmathētēs · discipleG3101
• they marvelledθαυμάζωthaumazō · to marvelG2296
• sayingλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• Howπῶςpōs · how?!G4459
• soonπαραχρῆμαparachrēma · instantlyG3916
• isξηραίνωxērainō · to dryG3583
• the fig treeσυκῆsukē · fig treeG4808

Cross-references for Matthew 21:20

• Isaiah 40:6A voice says, “Call out [prophesy].” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” [The voice answered:] All humanity is [as frail as] grass, and all that makes it attractive [its charm, its loveliness] is [momentary] like the flower of the field.
• Mark 11:20In the morning, as they were passing by, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered away from the roots up.
• James 1:10and the rich man is to glory in being humbled [by trials revealing human frailty, knowing true riches are found in the grace of God], for like the flower of the grass he will pass away.

Commentaries on Matthew 21:20

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20How soon is the fig tree withered away! - We often say to our neighbors, "How suddenly this man died! Who could have expected it so soon?" But who takes warning by these examples? What we say to-day of Others, may be said to-morrow of Ourselves. Be ye also ready! Lord, increase our faith!Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12-22Verses 12-22 This paragraph contains the account of the barren fig-tree, and of the cleansing of the temple. See also Mark 11:12-19; Luke 19:45-48. Matthew 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God … - From Mark 11:11-15, it is probable that this cleansing of the temple did not take place on the day that he entered Jerusalem in triumph, but on the day following. He came and looked round upon all things, Mark says, and went out to Bethany with the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18-22Verses 18-22 This cursing of the barren fig-tree represents the state of hypocrites in general, and so teaches us that Christ looks for the power of religion in those who profess it, and the savour of it from those that have the show of it. His just expectations from flourishing professors are often disappointed; he comes to many, seeking fruit, and finds leaves only. A false profession commonly withers in this world, and it is the effect of Christ's…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 21:20

• Ecclesiasticism
• Jesus, the Christ
• Miracles
• Reproof
• Unfaithfulness
• Unfruitfulness

In the dictionaries

• Authority
• Daughter
• Grind
• Loose
• Move
• Presently
• Reverence
• Seat
• Thief
• Fig, Fig-Tree

Commentaries on Matthew 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings