Mark 11:20 - Printer Friendly

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

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

NASB: As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

CSB: Early in the morning, as they were passing by, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.

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

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

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

Jesus and the disciples spent the night on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37–38), most likely in or near Bethany, two miles, or three kilometers, east of Jerusalem. The day before, they passed a fig tree which Jesus cursed because it had no figs. Now, they discover the tree is utterly ruined. Matthew says the tree became withered "at once" (Matthew 21:19), while Mark specifies the disciples don't notice until the next morning. Considering it is a full-grown fig tree in leaf, twenty-four hours for it to completely wither is "at once," and as much a miracle as it happening in one second. Most likely, the tree died right away, and by the next morning its roots were withered as well.

The thoroughness of the destruction is consistent with Jesus' other miracles. When He feeds a crowd of thousands, they leave satisfied, not merely tided over, and with leftovers for the disciples (Mark 6:32–44; 8:1–10). When He makes wine, it is immediately recognized for being exceptionally good (John 2:1–11). When He heals the blind, sight is returned completely (Mark 8:22–26). And when He heals a deaf man, the witnessing crowd declares, "He has done all things well" (Mark 7:31–37). It should be no surprise that when Jesus tells a tree it will never provide fruit for people to eat again, the tree withers to the roots.

Fig trees are often a symbol for Israel in the Old Testament, especially when God is warning about coming judgment (Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 9:10; Micah 7:1–7). It's possible that as the disciples look at the fig tree, they remember the withered grass of Psalm 90:6, the languishing fig tree in Joel 1:12, and Hosea 9:16 which talks about Ephraim's root drying up. The tree will never bear fruit again. In the same way, the temple will never offer communion with God again.

Mark 11:20–26 is the conclusion of the story started in Mark 11:12–14. The fig tree Jesus cursed is found to be withered to its roots, truly dead, the next morning. The fig tree represents Jerusalem and, to an extent, Judaism, which has ceased to worship God and bless the people. In a few days, at the Last Supper, Jesus teaches the disciples that they cannot bear fruit unless they are dependent on Him, just as a vine is useless unless it is connected to the branch. Fruitless vines will wither, then be tossed into the fire, and burned (John 15:1–11). This half of the story of the fig tree is also found in Matthew 21:20–22. Verse 26 is not found in most modern translations.

Jesus and the disciples arrive in Jerusalem a week before the crucifixion, and Jesus begins the last days of His public ministry. They spend their nights on the Mount of Olives and their days in Jerusalem (Luke 21:37). Jesus accepts the accolades designed for a king (Mark 11:1–11), attacks materialistic tradition that keeps people from worshiping God (Mark 11:15–19), gives an object lesson about the fate of fruitless Jerusalem (Mark 11:12–14, 20–25), and reveals the Jewish religious leaders' hypocrisy (Mark 11:27–33). Despite the support of the crowd, Jesus is pushing the leaders toward the crucifixion.

The preceding passages included several miracles and lessons from Jesus. These set the stage for the last, dramatic days of His earthly ministry. In this chapter, Jesus enters Jerusalem to great fanfare and openly confronts local religious leaders for their hypocrisy. Over the next few chapters, Mark will continue to record controversial teachings, leading up to Jesus' arrest and early sham trials, recorded in chapter 14.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.