God’s Word Translation
Matthew 21:20
20The disciples were surprised to see this. They asked, “How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?”
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
18In the morning, as Jesus returned to the city, he became hungry. 19When he saw a fig tree by the road, he went up to the tree and found nothing on it but leaves. He said to the tree, “May fruit never grow on you again!” At once the fig tree dried up. The disciples were surprised to see this. They asked, “How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?” 21Jesus answered them, “I can guarantee this truth: If you have faith and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I did to the fig tree. You could also say to this mountain, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. 22Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Read all of Matthew 21Matthew 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 called, “Call out!” I asked, “What should I call out?” “Call out: All people are like grass, and all their beauty is like a flower in the field.
- Mark 11:20While Jesus and his disciples were walking early in the morning, they saw that the fig tree had dried up.
- James 1:10Rich believers should be proud because being rich should make them humble. Rich people will wither like flowers.
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
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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