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

18On the next day, early in the morning, Jesus left Bethany to return to Jerusalem. On the way there, he was hungry. 19He saw a fig tree near to the road. He went to see if it had fruit on it. But there were only leaves on the tree, and no fruit. Jesus said to the tree, ‘No fruit will ever grow on you again!’ Then, immediately, the tree became dry and it died. The disciples saw it happen and they were very surprised. And they asked Jesus, ‘How did the tree die so quickly?’ 21Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you this: You must believe in God. You must not have other ideas in your mind. If you believe in God, then you could also do the same thing to this fig tree. You could even say to this mountain, “Move away and throw yourself into the sea!” Then it would really happen. 22So when you pray to ask God for something, believe in him. Then God will give you whatever you ask for.’

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 is saying, ‘Shout!’ But I say, ‘What should I shout?’ ‘Shout that all people are like grass. Their promises are like the flowers in a field.
• Mark 11:20The next morning, Jesus and his disciples passed the fig tree. They saw that it was completely dead.
• James 1:10And the believers who are rich should also be happy. Why? Because God has shown them that they are not so great. Rich people should remember that they will die, like a wild flower quickly dies.

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