New Living Translation
Matthew 21:19
19and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.
Matthew 21:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
- New International Version (NIV)Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, "May no fruit ever come from you again!" And the fig tree withered at once.
- New King James Version (NKJV)And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
Context of Matthew 21:19
17Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight. 18In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up. 20The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
Read all of Matthew 21Matthew 21:19 word by word
καὶ ἰδὼν συκῆν μίαν ἐπὶ τῆς ὁδοῦ ἦλθεν ἐπ᾽ αὐτὴν καὶ οὐδὲν εὗρεν ἐν αὐτῇ εἰ μὴ φύλλα μόνον καὶ λέγει αὐτῇ· μηκέτι ἐκ σοῦ καρπὸς γένηται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα. καὶ ἐξηράνθη παραχρῆμα ἡ συκῆ.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- when he sawὁράωhoraō · to see: seeG3708
- aεἷςheis · oneG1520
- fig treeσυκῆsukē · fig treeG4808
- inἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- the wayὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598
- he cameἔρχομαιerchomai · to come/goG2064
- itαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- foundεὑρίσκωheuriskō · to find/meetG2147
- nothingοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
- thereonἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- butεἰei · if: notG1487
- butμήmē · notG3361
- leavesφύλλονphullon · leafG5444
- onlyμόνονmonon · onlyG3440
- saidλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- Letγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- noμηκέτιmēketi · never againG3371
- fruitκαρπόςkarpos · fruitG2590
- onἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- theeσύsu · youG4771
- henceforward forεἰςeis · towardG1519
- everαἰώνaiōn · an age: eternityG165
- presentlyπαραχρῆμαparachrēma · instantlyG3916
- withered awayξηραίνωxērainō · to dryG3583
Cross-references for Matthew 21:19
- Isaiah 5:4What more could I have done for my vineyard that I have not already done? When I expected sweet grapes, why did my vineyard give me bitter grapes?
- Luke 3:9Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
- Luke 13:6Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.
- John 15:2He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.
- 2 Timothy 3:5They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
- Mark 11:14Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.
- Luke 19:42“How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.
- Hebrews 6:7When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God’s blessing.
- 2 Peter 2:20And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.
- Revelation 22:11Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.”
- Jude 1:12When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots.
Commentaries on Matthew 21:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19He saw a fig tree in the way - , By the road side. As this fig tree was by the way side, it was no private property; and on this account our Lord, or any other traveler, had a right to take of its fruit. For a full explanation of this difficult passage, relative to this emblematic fig tree, see on Mark 11:13; (note), etc. Let no fruit grow on thee - Can a professor, who affords Christ nothing but barren words and wishes, expect any thing but his…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
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 19Nothing on it except leaves: Mark notes that "it was not the season for figs" (see Mark 11:13). It was spring, just before Passover. Figs start growing in spring but ripen in fall. immediately the tree withered: Matthew seems to have shortened the story (compare Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:13–14, 20–23). The cursing of the fig tree symbolizes God's judgment on Israel for rejecting the Messiah (see Matt 3:9; 8:11–12). The Israelites are like a fig tree that…Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 21:19
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
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