20And passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree completely dried up from the roots. [11:21] And Peter, remembering, said to him, "Rabbi, look — the fig tree that you cursed has withered." [11:22] And Jesus, answering, said to them, "Have faith in God. [11:23] Truly I say to you that whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not waver in his heart but trusts that what he says will happen — it will be done for him. [11:24] For this reason I say to you, all things as many as you pray and ask — trust that you have received them, and they will be yours. [11:25] And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in the heavens may forgive you your false steps."
MRK 11:20-25
The Withered Fig Tree
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Mediterranean world, fig trees were not only a common agricultural resource but also carried symbolic significance, often representing prosperity, peace, and God’s blessing. The withering of a fig tree would have been seen as a potent sign of judgment or divine intervention, especially in a culture deeply attuned to agricultural metaphors. Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree and its subsequent withering would have resonated with Jewish listeners familiar with prophetic imagery, such as Jeremiah’s use of the fig tree to symbolize Israel’s unfruitfulness. The mention of faith moving mountains echoes Jewish apocalyptic literature, where mountains symbolize insurmountable obstacles or cosmic powers. The call to pray without doubt reflects the Jewish emphasis on wholehearted trust in God’s provision, while the instruction to forgive aligns with communal values of reconciliation, essential in a tightly knit, honor-shame society where unresolved grievances could fracture relationships.
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How other translations render this
MRK 11:20
- KJV
- And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
- BSB
- As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots.
- Koinōnos
- And passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree completely dried up from the roots.
MRK 11:21
- KJV
- And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
- BSB
- Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”
- Koinōnos
- And Peter, remembering, said to him, "Rabbi, look — the fig tree that you cursed has withered.
MRK 11:22
- KJV
- And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
- BSB
- “Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them.
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus, answering, said to them, "Have faith in God.
MRK 11:23
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.
- Koinōnos
- Truly I say to you that whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not waver in his heart but trusts that what he says will happen — it will be done for him.
MRK 11:24
- KJV
- Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
- BSB
- Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
- Koinōnos
- For this reason I say to you, all things as many as you pray and ask — trust that you have received them, and they will be yours.
MRK 11:25
- KJV
- And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
- BSB
- And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
- Koinōnos
- And whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in the heavens may forgive you your false steps.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MRK 11:20
- dried up:The word translated 'dried up' implies a complete and irreversible desiccation, suggesting the tree was not merely wilting but utterly dead and barren.
MRK 11:21
- You cursed:The term used here for 'You cursed' indicates a solemn pronouncement of judgment or ill will, not merely an angry outburst or profanity.
MRK 11:23
- not:The word translated 'not' in this context carries the sense of 'not doubting' or 'not wavering in judgment,' implying a firm and unwavering conviction.
MRK 11:25
- trespasses:The word translated 'trespasses' literally means a 'false step' or 'slip,' highlighting actions that deviate from the right path, rather than just general wrongdoing.