Matthew 21:20-29

20When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

21Jesus answered them, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you tell this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.

22And if you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things? Who gave you this authority?”

24Jesus answered them, “I will also ask you one question, and if you answer it for me, then I will tell you by what authority I do these things.

25Did John’s baptism come from heaven, or was it of human origin?” They discussed it among themselves, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him? ’

26But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we’re afraid of the crowd, because everyone considers John to be a prophet.”

27So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

28“What do you think? A man had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘My son, go work in the vineyard today.’

29“He answered, ‘I don’t want to,’ but later he changed his mind and went.