Matthew 21:20-29

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.

22You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

23When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

24“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied.

25“Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?” They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John.

26But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.”

27So they finally replied, “We don’t know.” And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.

28“But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’

29The son answered, ‘No, I won’t go,’ but later he changed his mind and went anyway.