Mark 11:21 kjv
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
Mark 11:21 nkjv
And Peter, remembering, said to Him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."
Mark 11:21 niv
Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"
Mark 11:21 esv
And Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered."
Mark 11:21 nlt
Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, "Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!"
Mark 11 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 11:12-14 | On the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. | The Curse: Origin of the fig tree's fate. |
| Mk 11:20 | And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. | Discovery: The withered tree observed. |
| Mk 11:22-24 | And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. | Faith's Power: Jesus' teaching following the miracle. |
| Matt 21:18-22 | Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. 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. ...Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea, it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. | Parallel Account: Matthew's concise account. |
| Lk 13:6-9 | He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. | Barren Fig Tree Parable: Judgment for unfruitfulness. |
| Isa 5:1-7 | ...My wellbeloved hath a vineyard...and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. ...For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel...he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry. | Israel's Unfruitfulness: Old Testament theme echoed. |
| Jer 8:13 | I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them. | Prophetic Judgment: Figs as symbol of prosperity/judgment. |
| Hos 9:10 | I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time... | Fig Tree as Israel: Direct symbolic link. |
| Amos 8:1-2 | Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit. And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. | Fruit and Judgment: Similar imagery for God's decision. |
| Mt 3:10 / Lk 3:9 | And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. | Fruit and Judgment (John the Baptist): Warning against barrenness. |
| Jn 15:2, 6 | Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away... If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. | Abiding & Fruitfulness: Consequences of not bearing spiritual fruit. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword... | Power of God's Word: Echoes the immediate effect of Jesus' curse. |
| Gen 1:3 | And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. | God Speaks, It Happens: Divine fiat and its immediate effect. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. | God's Word's Efficacy: Never returns void, always accomplishes. |
| Job 22:28 | Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. | Decree and Establishment: The power of spoken declaration. |
| Rom 4:17 | (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. | Calling Things into Being: God's power through words. |
| Jn 14:26 | But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. | Remembering Truth: Peter's "remembering" linked to future guidance. |
| Lk 9:28-36 | Peter...saw his glory. | Peter's Witness: Part of disciples who witnessed key moments. |
| Acts 2:1-41 | Peter speaks...with power and boldness. | Peter's Transformation: His understanding grew significantly later. |
| 1 Pet 1:8 | Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. | Peter's Faith: Developed over time into profound understanding. |
| Ps 33:9 | For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. | Divine Power: Creation through spoken word. |
Mark 11 verses
Mark 11 21 Meaning
Mark 11:21 describes Peter's exclamation to Jesus upon seeing the fig tree, which Jesus had cursed the previous day, completely withered. This verse highlights the astonishing effect of Jesus' authoritative word and serves as the immediate prompt for Jesus' teaching on faith, prayer, and forgiveness in the following verses. It connects Jesus' direct action (cursing the barren fig tree) with its dramatic, complete outcome, demonstrating His divine power and implicitly signaling the coming judgment on spiritual unfruitfulness.
Mark 11 21 Context
Mark 11:21 is a pivotal verse within a "Markan sandwich" structure, also known as an intercalation. This particular structure (Mark 11:12-14 [cursing the fig tree], Mark 11:15-19 [cleansing the temple], Mark 11:20-25 [discovery of withered fig tree and teaching on faith]) strongly links the two narrative elements.
On the "morning of cleansing" (Monday after the Triumphal Entry), Jesus cursed a barren fig tree for having leaves but no fruit, symbolizing outward show without inward substance or productivity. The next day, on their way back to Jerusalem, the disciples observe the tree to have completely withered. Peter's exclamation in verse 21 serves as the crucial bridge, connecting the symbolic act (the curse) with its complete fulfillment (the withering).
Historically and culturally, fig trees were a common sight in Judea, prized for their fruit. A tree full of leaves, especially outside of the normal fruiting season for full ripeness, but without any nascent fruit, was deceptively barren. This visual served as a potent object lesson, immediately following Jesus' prophetic cleansing of the temple, which outwardly appeared glorious but was spiritually corrupt and unfruitful. The fig tree symbolizes Israel's spiritual barrenness and the judgment awaiting those who produce no fruit for God despite their religious outward display.
Mark 11 21 Word analysis
- And (καὶ - kai): Connects the action to the preceding narrative, showing continuation.
- Peter (ὁ Πέτρος - ho Petros): The specific disciple who reacts. Often portrays the understanding and initial struggles of the disciples. His reaction signals significant discovery and surprise.
- remembering (ἀναμνησθεὶς - anamnestheis): A participles from anamimneskō, meaning "to call to mind," "to remind oneself." It indicates an intentional act of recall, implying a moment of realization as Peter connects the current observation (withered tree) with Jesus' specific action from the day before. This isn't just seeing but understanding the connection.
- said (λέγει - legei): "He says," historical present tense often used in Greek narrative for vividness, making the event feel immediate and striking.
- unto him (αὐτῷ - autō): Directed specifically at Jesus, signifying Peter's seeking clarification or sharing his awe with the one who caused it.
- Master (ῥαββί - rhabbí): A transliterated Aramaic term for "teacher." Peter addresses Jesus with respect, acknowledging His authority and wisdom even in moments of astonishment. It signifies his position as a disciple under instruction.
- behold (ἴδε - ide): An exclamation meaning "look!" or "see!" It functions to draw Jesus' (and the reader's) attention emphatically to what has happened, conveying Peter's astonishment and profound impression.
- the fig tree (ἡ συκῆ - hē sykē): The specific object of Jesus' previous pronouncement, universally recognizable and now significantly transformed.
- which thou (ἣν κατηράσω σὺ - hēn katērasō sy): Directly attributes the effect to Jesus' earlier action ("you cursed"). Emphasizes Jesus' spoken word as the causative agent. The pronoun "thou" is emphatic in Greek.
- cursedst (κατηράσω - katērasō): Aorist tense, indicating a completed action in the past, directly referring to Jesus' pronouncement in Mark 11:14. It highlights the divine power behind Jesus' word of judgment.
- is withered away (ἐξήρανται - exērantai): Perfect tense of xērainō, meaning "to dry up" or "wither." The perfect tense signifies a state resulting from a completed action; the tree is not merely withering, but it is completely dried up and lifeless from the roots (as mentioned in verse 20), demonstrating the totality and permanence of the effect.
Words-Group analysis:
- "And Peter remembering said unto him, Master, behold...": This opening emphasizes Peter's direct observation and his role as a key witness. His "remembering" connects two moments in time – the cursing yesterday and the withering today – signifying the powerful impact of Jesus' words and actions on His disciples. Peter's respectful address as "Master" underlines his receptiveness to the forthcoming teaching.
- "...the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.": This climactic statement links the cause (Jesus' curse) with the immediate and absolute effect (the complete withering). It confirms Jesus' divine authority and the potency of His word. The explicit attribution to "thou cursedst" affirms Jesus' active role in this visible judgment, serving as a powerful lesson for all observers regarding fruitfulness and impending judgment.
Mark 11 21 Bonus section
The account of the withered fig tree has been interpreted as an "acted parable," a unique teaching method where Jesus performs a symbolic act to convey spiritual truth, much like Old Testament prophets (e.g., Jer 19:10-11). It serves as a stern warning that God's patience with unfruitfulness has limits, and outwardly impressive appearances without inward spiritual reality lead to divine judgment.
The fact that "the time for figs was not yet" (Mk 11:13) is often debated by scholars. Some see it as highlighting the unreasonableness of Jesus' expectation, suggesting a divine impatience with an expectation that wasn't being met, symbolizing God's disappointment with Israel. Others suggest that the fig tree, unlike other fruit trees, produced a small, early edible "knob" or bud called a pagge before the main crop. A tree with full leaves at that time of year should have at least these nascent figs, which indicate the promise of a harvest. The tree's lack of even these early indicators, despite its full foliage, therefore signified its total barrenness and hypocrisy, perfectly illustrating the spiritual condition of the Temple and Israel's religious leadership.
Mark 11 21 Commentary
Mark 11:21 is not just an observation but a declaration that sets the stage for a profound spiritual lesson. Peter’s statement highlights the immediacy and totality of Jesus’ power—a simple word resulted in the complete and rapid destruction of a seemingly robust tree. This event functions as a “performed parable,” illustrating the severity of judgment for outward display without inward spiritual fruitfulness.
The intercalation structure in Mark, sandwiching the temple cleansing between the fig tree narrative, strongly implies a symbolic connection. Just as the fig tree appeared healthy but produced no fruit, the Temple in Jerusalem had grand rituals and outward appearance, but lacked genuine spiritual fruit—worship, justice, or welcome for the Gentiles. Peter's astonished report effectively brings this hidden symbolic meaning to light, making the judgment undeniable.
This miracle is unique because it's a destructive miracle, often perceived as out of character for the benevolent Jesus. However, it's not a burst of anger but a deliberate, prophetic sign act. It powerfully conveys the consequence of barrenness—both natural (the tree) and spiritual (Israel's leadership and the Temple system). Jesus' ability to pronounce judgment that takes immediate, physical effect underscores His divine authority, not only over nature but also over spiritual matters, including the fruitfulness (or lack thereof) in God's people.
Following this revelation, Jesus shifts the focus from the negative consequence to the positive antidote: the power of faith and prayer (Mk 11:22-25). Peter's statement about the withered tree becomes the object lesson that precipitates Jesus' teaching that true faith, coupled with prayer and forgiveness, can move mountains—far greater than just withering a fig tree. This lesson applies not only to grand supernatural acts but also to the transformative power available to believers who trust God's word and align their will with His. It challenges us to reflect on our own spiritual fruitfulness and the genuine impact of our words and faith.