Mark 11:20

THE MESSAGE

In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!"

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

King James Version (1611)
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried vp from the roots.

King James Version
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

English Standard Version
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots.

New American Standard Bible
As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

New Century Version
The next morning as Jesus was passing by with his followers, they saw the fig tree dry and dead, even to the roots.

Amplified Bible
In the morning, as they were passing by, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered away from the roots up.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

Legacy Standard Bible
And as they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

Berean Standard Bible
As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots.

Contemporary English Version
As the disciples walked past the fig tree the next morning, they noticed that it was completely dried up, roots and all.

Complete Jewish Bible
In the morning, as the talmidim passed by, they saw the fig tree withered all the way to its roots.

Darby Translation
And passing by early in the morning they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.

Easy-to-Read Version
The next morning Jesus was walking with his followers. They saw the fig tree that he spoke to the day before. The tree was dry and dead, even the roots.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And in the morning as they iourneyed together, they saw the figge tree dried vp from the rootes.

George Lamsa Translation
And in the morning, as they were passing, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots.

Good News Translation
Early next morning, as they walked along the road, they saw the fig tree. It was dead all the way down to its roots.

Lexham English Bible
And as they passed by early in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

Literal Translation
And passing along early, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

American Standard Version
And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

Bible in Basic English
And when they were going by in the morning, they saw the fig-tree dead from the roots.

Hebrew Names Version
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

International Standard Version
While they were walking along early in the morning, they saw the fig tree dried up to its roots.Matthew 21:19;">[xr]

Etheridge Translation
And in the morning, while they passed by, they saw that fig-tree that it was dry from its root.

Murdock Translation
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up, as it were, from its root.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And in the mornyng, as they passed by, they sawe the fygge tree dryed vp by the rootes.

English Revised Version
And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

World English Bible
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.

Weymouth's New Testament
In the early morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree withered to the roots;

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And as thei passiden forth eerli, thei sayn the fige tree maad drye fro the rootis.

Update Bible Version
And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

Webster's Bible Translation
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.

New English Translation
In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

New King James Version
Matthew 21:20-22">[xr] Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

New Living Translation
The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up.

New Life Bible
In the morning they passed by the fig tree. They saw it was dried up from the roots.

New Revised Standard
In the morning as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, passing by early, they saw the fig-tree, withered from its roots;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they passed by in the morning they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

Revised Standard Version
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And in the mornynge as they passed by they sawe the fygge tree dryed vp by ye rotes.

Young's Literal Translation
And in the morning, passing by, they saw the fig-tree having been dried up from the roots,

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And on the morow they passed by, and sawe the fygge tre, that it was wythred vnto the rote.

Mace New Testament (1729)
In the morning as they were coming back, they saw the fig-tree withered away to the very roots.

Simplified Cowboy Version
The next morning, they took the same route as the day before. They passed by that fig tree and many of them noticed it was dead.

Contextual Overview

¹²As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!" And his disciples overheard him. ¹⁵They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text: My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You've turned it into a hangout for thieves. ¹⁸ The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. ¹⁹ At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city. ²⁰In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!" ²²Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins." Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?" Jesus responded, "First let me ask you a question. Answer my question and then I'll present my credentials. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans? Tell me." They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say ‘heaven,' he'll ask us why we didn't believe John; if we say ‘humans,' we'll be up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet." They decided to concede that round to Jesus. "We don't know," they said. Jesus replied, "Then I won't answer your question either." ²⁶Entering Jerusalem on a Colt When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?' say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.'" They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?" The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted. The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name! Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in highest heaven! He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve. As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!" And his disciples overheard him. They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text: My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You've turned it into a hangout for thieves. The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city. In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!" Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Mark 11:14, Job 18:16, Job 18:17, Job 20:5-7, Isaiah 5:4, Isaiah 40:24, Matthew 13:6, Matthew 15:13, Matthew 21:19, Matthew 21:20, John 15:6, Hebrews 6:8, Jude 1:12

they saw: Matthew informs us that this tree grew by the way-side, and was therefore not private, but public property; so that the destruction of it really injured no one. Our Lord was pleased to make use of this miracle to prefigure the speedy ruin of the Jewish nation, on account of its unfruitfulness under greater advantages than any other people enjoyed at that day; and, like all the rest of his miracles, it was done with a gracious intention, to alarm his countrymen, and induce them to repent.

Reciprocal: Job 8:17 - roots Ezekiel 17:10 - shall it

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And in the morning, as they passed by,.... The fig tree; when they returned the next morning from Bethany, or the Mount of Olives, or the place, wherever it was, they had been that night:

they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots; they did not see it immediately wither as it did, nor could they see it, as they went from Jerusalem to this place, because it was then in the evening; but in the morning, as they came along, they observed it; not only that the tender branches and boughs of it, but the trunk and body of the tree, and even the roots of it, were all dried up; so that it was entirely dead, and there was no room ever to expect it would revive, and bear any more fruit.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:18-22.

Mark 11:11

Into the temple - Not into the edifice properly called “the temple,” but into the “courts” which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the “temple,” it is always to be understood of the “courts” surrounding the temple. See the notes at Matthew 21:12.

And when he had looked round about upon all things - Having seen or examined everything. He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterward corrected. It may be a matter of wonder that he did not “at once” correct them, instead of waiting to another day; but it may be observed that God is slow to anger; that he does not “at once” smite the guilty, but waits patiently before he rebukes and chastises.

The eventide - The evening; the time after three o’clock p. m. It is very probable that this was before sunset. The religious services of the temple closed at the offering of the evening sacrifice, at three o’clock, and Jesus probably soon left the city.

Mark 11:13, Mark 11:14

Afar off - See the notes at Matthew 21:19.

Mark 11:15-24

See the notes at Matthew 21:12-22.

Mark 11:16

Any vessel - Any vessel used in cooking, or connected with the sale of their articles of merchandise.

Mark 11:18

All the people were astonished - He became popular among them. The Pharisees saw that their authority was lessened or destroyed. They were therefore envious of him, and sought his life.

His doctrine - His teaching. He taught with power and authority so great that the multitudes were awed, and were constrained to obey.

Mark 11:21

Thou cursedst - To curse means to devote to destruction. This is its meaning here. It does not in this place imply blame, but simply that it should be destroyed.

Mark 11:22

Have faith in God - Literally, “Have the faith of God.” This may mean, have strong faith, or have confidence in God; a strong belief that he is able to accomplish things that appear most difficult with infinite ease, as the fig-tree was made to wither away by a word.

Mark 11:25

And when ye stand praying - When ye pray. It seems that the posture in prayer was sometimes standing and sometimes kneeling. God looks upon “the heart” rather than upon our position in worship; and if the heart be right, any posture may be proper. It cannot be doubted, however, that in private, in the family, and wherever it can be conveniently done, the kneeling posture is more proper, as expressing more humility and reverence, and more in accordance with Scripture examples. Compare Psalms 95:6; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40. Yet a subject like this may be made of too much consequence, and we should be careful that anxiety about a mere form should not exclude anxiety about a far more important matter - the state of the soul.

Forgive ... - See the notes at Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:25.