Mark 11:20

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

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Mark 11:20 (KJV) says:

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

This verse is part of the larger context of Jesus’ encounter with a fig tree. To understand its meaning, let’s explore the surrounding verses as well:

Mark 11:12-14 (KJV) states:

“12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:

And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find anything 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 forever. And his disciples heard it.

In this passage, Jesus and His disciples were traveling from Bethany, and Jesus noticed a fig tree in the distance that had leaves. However, upon closer inspection, He found that the tree had no fruit because it was not the season for figs. In response, Jesus pronounced a curse on the fig tree, saying, “No man eat fruit of thee hereafter forever.”

The next day, as Jesus and His disciples passed by the same fig tree, they observed that it had dried up from its roots. This withering of the fig tree astonished the disciples, prompting Peter to exclaim in Mark 11:21 (KJV), “Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away!”

Now, let’s discuss the significance and possible lessons we can draw from this event:

Symbolism of the fig tree:The fig tree in this passage is often understood as a symbolic representation of the nation of Israel. Just as the fig tree appeared to have leaves, indicating a promise of fruitfulness, Israel outwardly exhibited signs of religious devotion and piety. However, Jesus found it lacking in genuine spiritual fruit.

Teaching on faith and prayer:Jesus used the fig tree as an object lesson to teach His disciples about the power of faith and prayer. In Mark 11:22-24 (KJV), Jesus responds to Peter’s amazement about the withered tree, saying:

“22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 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.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

Jesus emphasizes the importance of having faith in God and the power of believing prayer. This incident with the fig tree serves as a vivid illustration of the connection between faith, prayer, and the manifestation of God’s power.

Spiritual fruitfulness:The withering of the fig tree serves as a warning against mere outward appearances of religiosity without genuine spiritual fruit. Jesus desires believers to bear fruit in their lives, displaying the evidence of a transformed heart and a living relationship with Him. This principle is further elaborated in John 15:1-8, where Jesus describes Himself as the true vine and believers as the branches that must abide in Him to bear fruit.

In conclusion, Mark 11:20 records the fulfillment of Jesus’ pronouncement of judgment upon the fig tree, which serves as a symbolic teaching on faith, prayer, and the importance of genuine spiritual fruitfulness. It challenges us to

examine our own lives and ensure that our faith is not superficial but rooted in a vibrant relationship with Christ, producing spiritual fruit that glorifies God.