Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. New Living Translation The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” English Standard Version When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Berean Standard Bible When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” Berean Literal Bible And having seen it, the disciples marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" King James Bible And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! New King James Version And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?” New American Standard Bible Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” NASB 1995 Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” NASB 1977 And seeing this, the disciples marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Legacy Standard Bible And seeing this, the disciples marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?” Amplified Bible When the disciples saw it, they were astonished and asked, “How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?” Christian Standard Bible When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” American Standard Version And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? Contemporary English Version The disciples were shocked when they saw how quickly the tree had dried up. English Revised Version And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? GOD'S WORD® Translation The disciples were surprised to see this. They asked, "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" Good News Translation The disciples saw this and were astounded. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked. International Standard Version When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked. Majority Standard Bible When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, ?How did the fig tree wither so quickly?? NET Bible When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" New Heart English Bible When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree immediately wither away?" Webster's Bible Translation And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig-tree withered! Weymouth New Testament When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!" World English Bible When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the disciples having seen, wondered, saying, “How did the fig tree instantly wither?” Berean Literal Bible And having seen it, the disciples marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" Young's Literal Translation And the disciples having seen, did wonder, saying, 'How did the fig-tree forthwith wither?' Smith's Literal Translation And the disciples, seeing, wondered, saying, How suddenly was the fig tree dried up! Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the disciples seeing it wondered, saying: How is it presently withered away? Catholic Public Domain Version And seeing this, the disciples wondered, saying, “How did it dry up so quickly?” New American Bible When the disciples saw this, they were amazed and said, “How was it that the fig tree withered immediately?” New Revised Standard Version When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, How is it that the fig tree has withered so soon? Aramaic Bible in Plain English And the disciples saw and they marveled and they were saying, “How quickly the fig tree withered up!” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd when the disciples saw it, they were astonished, and said: How soon has the fig-tree withered! Godbey New Testament And the disciples seeing, were astonished, saying, How did the fig-tree immediately wither away? Haweis New Testament And when his disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How suddenly is the fig-tree withered away! Mace New Testament upon which the disciples said to one another, much surpriz'd, how came the fig-tree to wither away so suddenly? Weymouth New Testament When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!" Worrell New Testament And the disciples, seeing it, wondered, saying, "How quickly the fig tree withered away!" Worsley New Testament And the disciples seeing it were amazed and said, How suddenly is the fig-tree withered! Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Barren Fig Tree…19Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered. 20When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.… Cross References Mark 11:20-21 As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. / Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.” Matthew 17:20 “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Luke 17:6 And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. John 14:12 Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. James 1:6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Mark 9:23 “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!” Luke 8:25 “Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!” John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. Genesis 18:14 Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” Exodus 14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, Numbers 20:11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink. Joshua 10:12-14 On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” / So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” / There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel. 1 Kings 17:22 And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived. Treasury of Scripture And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! How. Isaiah 40:6-8 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: … Mark 11:20,21 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots… James 1:10,11 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away… Jump to Previous Amazed Astonishment Disciples Dried Dry Exclaimed Fig Fig-Tree Forthwith Immediately Marveled Marvelled Once Quickly Short Soon Surprised Time Tree Wither Withered Wonder WonderedJump to Next Amazed Astonishment Disciples Dried Dry Exclaimed Fig Fig-Tree Forthwith Immediately Marveled Marvelled Once Quickly Short Soon Surprised Time Tree Wither Withered Wonder WonderedMatthew 21 1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple; 17. curses the fig tree; 23. puts to silence the priests and elders, 28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons, 33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them. When the disciples saw this The phrase begins with the disciples, the close followers of Jesus, who are often depicted as learners in the Gospels. The Greek word for "disciples" is "μαθηταί" (mathētai), meaning learners or students. This highlights their role as observers and participants in Jesus' ministry, constantly learning from His actions and teachings. The context here is crucial; they have just witnessed Jesus cursing the fig tree, an act that serves as a powerful object lesson. The disciples' observation is not just physical but also spiritual, as they are being taught about faith and the consequences of spiritual barrenness. they were amazed and asked How did the fig tree wither so quickly? Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure in this passage, who demonstrates His divine authority and power through the cursing of the fig tree. 2. The Disciples Followers of Jesus who witness the withering of the fig tree and express amazement at the miracle. 3. The Fig Tree A symbol of fruitlessness and judgment, representing Israel's spiritual barrenness at the time. 4. Jerusalem The city near which this event takes place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. 5. The Mount of Olives The location from which Jesus and His disciples are traveling, a place often associated with significant teachings and events in Jesus' ministry. Teaching Points The Power of FaithJesus uses the withering of the fig tree to teach about the power of faith. Believers are encouraged to have faith that can move mountains, trusting in God's ability to work beyond natural limitations. Spiritual Fruitfulness The fig tree serves as a warning against spiritual barrenness. Christians are called to examine their lives for evidence of spiritual fruit, such as love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. Judgment and Accountability The withering of the fig tree symbolizes divine judgment on unfruitfulness. This serves as a reminder of the accountability believers have before God to live lives that reflect His glory. The Importance of Prayer Following this event, Jesus emphasizes the role of prayer in the life of faith. Believers are encouraged to pray with confidence, knowing that God hears and responds to the prayers of the faithful.(20) And when the disciples saw it.--Here again St. Mark's narrative (Mark 11:20-21) seems at once the fullest and the most precise. As he relates the facts, the disciples did not perceive that the fig-tree was withered away till they passed by on the following morning. Peter then remembered what had been said the day before, and, as the spokesman of the rest, drew his Master's attention to the fact. The immediate withering may have been inferred from its completeness when seen, or its beginning may have been noticed by some at the time.Verse 20. - They marvelled, saying. The apostles' remark on the incident was made on the Tuesday, as we learn from St. Mark's more accurate account. After Christ had spoken his malediction, the little band went on their way to Jerusalem, where was performed the cleansing of the temple. On their return to Bethany, if they passed the tree, it was doubtless too dark to observe its present condition, and it was not till the next morning that they noticed what had happened. St. Matthew does not name the apostle who was the mouthpiece of the others in expressing astonishment at the miracle; he is satisfied with speaking generally of "the disciples" (comp. Matthew 26:8 with John 12:4). We learn from St. Mark that it was Peter who made the observation recorded, deeply affected by the sight of this instance of Christ's power, and awestruck by the speedy and complete accomplishment of the curse. How soon is the fig tree withered away! better, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? Vulgate, Quomodo continue aruit? They saw, but could not comprehend, the effect of Christ's word, and wonderingly inquired how it came to pass. They did not at present realize the teaching of this parabolic act - how it gave solemn warning of the certainty of judgment on the unfruitful Jewish Church, which, hopelessly barren, must no longer cumber the earth. Christ did not help them to understand the typical nature of the transaction. He is not wont to explain in words the spiritual significance of his miracles; the connection between miracle and teaching is left to be inferred, to be brought out by meditation, prayer, faith, and subsequent circumstances. The total rejection of the Jews was a doctrine for which the apostles were not yet prepared; so the Lord, in wisdom and mercy, withheld its express enunciation at this moment. In mercy too he exemplified the sternness and severity of God's judgment by inflicting punishment on an inanimate object, and not on a sentient being; he withered a tree, not a sinful man, by the breath of his mouth. Parallel Commentaries ... Greek WhenΚαὶ (Kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. disciples μαθηταὶ (mathētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. saw [this], ἰδόντες (idontes) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear. they marveled ἐθαύμασαν (ethaumasan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 2296: (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire. [and] asked, λέγοντες (legontes) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “How {did} Πῶς (Pōs) Adverb Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much! the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. fig tree συκῆ (sykē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4808: A fig-tree. From sukon; a fig-tree. wither ἐξηράνθη (exēranthē) Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3583: To dry up, parch, be ripened, wither, waste away. From xeros; to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature. so quickly?” παραχρῆμα (parachrēma) Adverb Strong's 3916: Instantly, immediately, on the spot. From para and chrema; at the thing itself, i.e. Instantly. Links Matthew 21:20 NIVMatthew 21:20 NLT Matthew 21:20 ESV Matthew 21:20 NASB Matthew 21:20 KJV Matthew 21:20 BibleApps.com Matthew 21:20 Biblia Paralela Matthew 21:20 Chinese Bible Matthew 21:20 French Bible Matthew 21:20 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 21:20 When the disciples saw it they marveled (Matt. Mat Mt) |