Matthew 21:21

"When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”"

Key Reflection

The disciples' marvel at the withered fig tree symbolizes their wonder and growing understanding of Jesus' divine power and authority. This miraculous event foreshadows the coming judgment on Jerusalem, as Jesus later predicts its destruction in a similar manner (Matthew 21:19-22).

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 21. Jesus answered and said, etc. Jesus took occasion from this to establish their faith in God, Mr 11:22. He told them that any difficulty could be removed by faith. To remove a mountain, denotes the power of overcoming any difficulty. The phrase was so used by the Jews. There is no doubt that this was literally true, that if they had the faith of miracles, they could remove the mountain before them the mount of Olives--for this was as easy for God to do by them as to heal the sick, or raise the dead. But he rather referred, probably, to the difficulties and trials which they would be called to endure in preaching the gospel.

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