Mark 11 20

Mark 11:20 kjv

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

Mark 11:20 nkjv

Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

Mark 11:20 niv

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.

Mark 11:20 esv

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

Mark 11:20 nlt

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

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 20 Meaning

Mark 11:20 describes a specific moment of observation: as Jesus and His disciples returned to Jerusalem the following morning, they saw the fig tree Jesus had cursed the previous day. The profound observation was that the tree had withered completely, not just its leaves, but "from the roots." This immediate and total desiccation signifies the swift, irreversible power of Jesus' word and serves as a visible demonstration of His authority and the consequences of spiritual barrenness, especially in light of the preceding temple cleansing and the subsequent teaching on faith and prayer.

Mark 11 20 Context

Verse 20 immediately follows the conclusion of Jesus and His disciples leaving Jerusalem at evening (Mk 11:19) after Jesus had entered the temple and cleared the market traders (Mk 11:15-17), condemning it as a "den of robbers" (Mk 11:17). The day prior, Jesus cursed the fig tree (Mk 11:12-14) because it had leaves (an appearance of fruitfulness) but no figs, though it was "not the season for figs." This sequence — the fig tree with leaves but no fruit, followed by the cleansing of the temple, then the observation of the withered fig tree — is crucial. The fig tree served as a living parable. Its dramatic withering signifies judgment not merely upon a literal tree, but upon barren spiritual institutions, specifically Israel and its leadership, which, like the fig tree, possessed outward religious observance (leaves) but lacked genuine fruit (righteousness, justice, true worship, belief in Christ). The scene thus transitions from a prophetic act to a clear, visible demonstration of divine judgment and power, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on the authority of faith and prayer (Mk 11:22-25).

Mark 11 20 Word analysis

• And (Καί - Kai): A simple conjunction connecting the events chronologically, indicating a continuation or transition from the previous day's actions. It signifies a new dawn, bringing with it the observable consequence of the prior day's word.
• as they passed by (παραπορευόμενοι - paraporeuomenoi): This is a present participle, meaning "while passing alongside" or "as they were going by." It implies ongoing motion along a familiar route (from Bethany to Jerusalem) and emphasizes their direct, perhaps customary, encounter with the tree. The observation was part of their regular commute.
• in the morning (πρωΐ - prōï): Denotes the specific time—early morning. This timing is significant as it shows the rapidity of the curse's effect (overnight). It also mirrors Mark 11:12 ("on the next day, when they had left Bethany"), reinforcing the deliberate follow-up visit. The "morning" suggests a fresh start, yet here it brings forth a stark, irreversible end.
• they saw (εἶδον - eidon): A simple, descriptive verb, indicating a direct visual perception. This emphasizes that the disciples were eyewitnesses, not merely hearers, of the miracle's profound effect. It implies collective recognition of the startling change.
• the fig tree (τὴν συκῆν - tēn sykēn): Refers directly to the same fig tree mentioned and cursed in Mark 11:13. The use of the definite article ("the") highlights its identity as a specific, previously interacted-with object. Its commonness in Palestine makes its symbolism relatable.
• dried up (ἐξηραμμένην - exērammenēn): This is a perfect passive participle of the verb xērainō (ξηραίνω), meaning "to dry up, wither, be parched." The perfect tense emphasizes a completed action with lasting results. The passive voice indicates it was acted upon, directly linking back to Jesus' curse as the agent of its complete drying. This is a dramatic and complete cessation of life.
• from the roots (ἐκ ῥιζῶν - ek rhizōn): This phrase is profoundly significant and highlights the severity and completeness of the withering. It means the tree was dead not just outwardly (leaves or branches) but from its very source of life, making revival impossible. This demonstrates that the judgment pronounced was fundamental and absolute, ensuring no recovery or future fruitfulness from this specific entity. It goes beyond superficial decay, striking at the very core of being.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And as they passed by in the morning": This phrase sets the scene for the discovery, linking the previous day's act to its immediate consequence. The return to the route and the precise timing underscores the direct observation.
• "they saw the fig tree": A direct, factual report of the disciples' observation. It emphasizes the tangible proof of Jesus' power to their senses.
• "dried up from the roots": This powerful descriptive phrase encapsulates the entirety of the miracle and its symbolic meaning. It conveys the total and irreversible nature of the destruction, emphasizing that the judgment pronounced reached the very source of life, signifying utter spiritual desolation and inability to bear future fruit.

Mark 11 20 Bonus section

• The drying "from the roots" carries a strong connotation of ultimate and irreversible judgment. Unlike a mere superficial scorching, this indicates an inability to regenerate or bear fruit ever again, signifying that the condemned entity is entirely cut off from the source of life.
• This specific detail might also be understood in light of ancient agricultural practices; while a tree might shed leaves or appear dry in certain seasons, the complete drying up from the roots was unequivocally a sign of death.
• The placement of this incident between the two acts of temple cleansing (Mk 11:11, Mk 11:15-17) suggests that the fig tree serves as a prophetic type or symbol of the temple itself, symbolizing its barrenness, its external display lacking internal reality, and its impending spiritual demise and physical destruction.

Mark 11 20 Commentary

Mark 11:20 is the startling reveal in the fig tree narrative, validating the immediate and decisive power of Jesus' word spoken just the day before. The fig tree, with its outwardly promising foliage but complete lack of fruit, became a vivid metaphor for Israel, particularly its temple system and leadership. Despite the impressive appearance of religiosity and national privilege ("leaves"), it had failed to produce the fruit of righteousness, genuine worship, or recognition of its Messiah. The curse, met with immediate, visible, and thorough execution "from the roots," signifies the swiftness and completeness of divine judgment upon barrenness and hypocrisy. This miraculous decay served not only as proof of Jesus' messianic authority but also as a powerful teaching object lesson, preparing the disciples for the profound truths about faith and prayer that Jesus would share next. The swift withering from the roots meant an absolute end to its potential, mirroring the coming judgment on a system that had become spiritually barren and resistant to God's will.