Matthew 21:20
New International Version
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

New Living Translation
The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

English Standard Version
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”

Berean Standard Bible
When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

Berean Literal Bible
And having seen it, the disciples marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"

King James Bible
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

New King James Version
And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

New American Standard Bible
Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?”

NASB 1995
Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?”

NASB 1977
And seeing this, the disciples marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And seeing this, the disciples marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither all at once?”

Amplified Bible
When the disciples saw it, they were astonished and asked, “How is it that the fig tree has withered away all at once?”

Christian Standard Bible
When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

American Standard Version
And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away?

Contemporary English Version
The disciples were shocked when they saw how quickly the tree had dried up.

English Revised Version
And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The disciples were surprised to see this. They asked, "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?"

Good News Translation
The disciples saw this and were astounded. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.

International Standard Version
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.

Majority Standard Bible
When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

NET Bible
When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"

New Heart English Bible
When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree immediately wither away?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig-tree withered!

Weymouth New Testament
When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!"

World English Bible
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the disciples having seen, wondered, saying, “How did the fig tree instantly wither?”

Berean Literal Bible
And having seen it, the disciples marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"

Young's Literal Translation
And the disciples having seen, did wonder, saying, 'How did the fig-tree forthwith wither?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the disciples, seeing, wondered, saying, How suddenly was the fig tree dried up!
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the disciples seeing it wondered, saying: How is it presently withered away?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And seeing this, the disciples wondered, saying, “How did it dry up so quickly?”

New American Bible
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed and said, “How was it that the fig tree withered immediately?”

New Revised Standard Version
When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, How is it that the fig tree has withered so soon?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And the disciples saw and they marveled and they were saying, “How quickly the fig tree withered up!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And when the disciples saw it, they were astonished, and said: How soon has the fig-tree withered!

Godbey New Testament
And the disciples seeing, were astonished, saying, How did the fig-tree immediately wither away?

Haweis New Testament
And when his disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How suddenly is the fig-tree withered away!

Mace New Testament
upon which the disciples said to one another, much surpriz'd, how came the fig-tree to wither away so suddenly?

Weymouth New Testament
When the disciples saw it they exclaimed in astonishment, "How instantaneously the fig-tree has withered away!"

Worrell New Testament
And the disciples, seeing it, wondered, saying, "How quickly the fig tree withered away!"

Worsley New Testament
And the disciples seeing it were amazed and said, How suddenly is the fig-tree withered!

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Barren Fig Tree
19Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. “May you never bear fruit again!” He said. And immediately the tree withered. 20When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” 21“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.…

Cross References
Mark 11:20-21
As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. / Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

Matthew 17:20
“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Luke 17:6
And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

James 1:6
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Mark 9:23
“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”

Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

1 Corinthians 13:2
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Exodus 14:21
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided,

Numbers 20:11
Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

Joshua 10:12-14
On the day that the LORD gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to the LORD in the presence of Israel: “O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.” / So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? “So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day.” / There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.

1 Kings 17:22
And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

How.

Isaiah 40:6-8
The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: …

Mark 11:20,21
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots…

James 1:10,11
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away…

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Amazed Astonishment Disciples Dried Dry Exclaimed Fig Fig-Tree Forthwith Immediately Marveled Marvelled Once Quickly Short Soon Surprised Time Tree Wither Withered Wonder Wondered
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Amazed Astonishment Disciples Dried Dry Exclaimed Fig Fig-Tree Forthwith Immediately Marveled Marvelled Once Quickly Short Soon Surprised Time Tree Wither Withered Wonder Wondered
Matthew 21
1. Jesus rides into Jerusalem upon a donkey
12. drives the buyers and sellers out of the temple;
17. curses the fig tree;
23. puts to silence the priests and elders,
28. and rebukes them by the parable of the two sons,
33. and the husbandmen who slew such as were sent to them.














When the disciples saw this
The phrase begins with the disciples, the close followers of Jesus, who are often depicted as learners in the Gospels. The Greek word for "disciples" is "μαθηταί" (mathētai), meaning learners or students. This highlights their role as observers and participants in Jesus' ministry, constantly learning from His actions and teachings. The context here is crucial; they have just witnessed Jesus cursing the fig tree, an act that serves as a powerful object lesson. The disciples' observation is not just physical but also spiritual, as they are being taught about faith and the consequences of spiritual barrenness.

they were amazed
The Greek word for "amazed" is "ἐθαύμασαν" (ethaumasan), which conveys a sense of wonder and astonishment. This reaction is significant because it shows the disciples' human nature and their struggle to fully comprehend the divine power and authority of Jesus. Their amazement reflects a moment of revelation, where the supernatural intersects with the natural, challenging their understanding and deepening their faith. This amazement is a common response to Jesus' miracles, underscoring His divine authority and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.

and asked
The act of asking indicates a desire to understand and learn. The Greek word "λέγοντες" (legontes) implies a continuous action, suggesting that the disciples were eager and perhaps even urgent in their questioning. This reflects a healthy spiritual curiosity and a willingness to seek deeper truths. In the context of discipleship, asking questions is a vital part of growth and understanding, demonstrating humility and a recognition of Jesus as the ultimate source of wisdom.

How did the fig tree wither so quickly?
The question posed by the disciples is both practical and theological. The fig tree, often symbolic of Israel in the Old Testament, represents fruitfulness and blessing. Its sudden withering is a dramatic illustration of judgment and the consequences of unfruitfulness. The Greek word for "wither" is "ἐξηράνθη" (exēranthē), which means to dry up or become barren. This imagery is powerful, serving as a warning against spiritual barrenness and a call to bear fruit in keeping with repentance. The adverb "so quickly" emphasizes the immediacy and completeness of the judgment, highlighting the authority of Jesus' words and the urgency of spiritual readiness.

(20) And when the disciples saw it.--Here again St. Mark's narrative (Mark 11:20-21) seems at once the fullest and the most precise. As he relates the facts, the disciples did not perceive that the fig-tree was withered away till they passed by on the following morning. Peter then remembered what had been said the day before, and, as the spokesman of the rest, drew his Master's attention to the fact. The immediate withering may have been inferred from its completeness when seen, or its beginning may have been noticed by some at the time.

Verse 20. - They marvelled, saying. The apostles' remark on the incident was made on the Tuesday, as we learn from St. Mark's more accurate account. After Christ had spoken his malediction, the little band went on their way to Jerusalem, where was performed the cleansing of the temple. On their return to Bethany, if they passed the tree, it was doubtless too dark to observe its present condition, and it was not till the next morning that they noticed what had happened. St. Matthew does not name the apostle who was the mouthpiece of the others in expressing astonishment at the miracle; he is satisfied with speaking generally of "the disciples" (comp. Matthew 26:8 with John 12:4). We learn from St. Mark that it was Peter who made the observation recorded, deeply affected by the sight of this instance of Christ's power, and awestruck by the speedy and complete accomplishment of the curse. How soon is the fig tree withered away! better, How did the fig tree immediately wither away? Vulgate, Quomodo continue aruit? They saw, but could not comprehend, the effect of Christ's word, and wonderingly inquired how it came to pass. They did not at present realize the teaching of this parabolic act - how it gave solemn warning of the certainty of judgment on the unfruitful Jewish Church, which, hopelessly barren, must no longer cumber the earth. Christ did not help them to understand the typical nature of the transaction. He is not wont to explain in words the spiritual significance of his miracles; the connection between miracle and teaching is left to be inferred, to be brought out by meditation, prayer, faith, and subsequent circumstances. The total rejection of the Jews was a doctrine for which the apostles were not yet prepared; so the Lord, in wisdom and mercy, withheld its express enunciation at this moment. In mercy too he exemplified the sternness and severity of God's judgment by inflicting punishment on an inanimate object, and not on a sentient being; he withered a tree, not a sinful man, by the breath of his mouth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
When
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

disciples
μαθηταὶ (mathētai)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

saw [this],
ἰδόντες (idontes)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

they marveled
ἐθαύμασαν (ethaumasan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2296: (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.

[and] asked,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“How {did}
Πῶς (Pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

fig tree
συκῆ (sykē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4808: A fig-tree. From sukon; a fig-tree.

wither
ἐξηράνθη (exēranthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3583: To dry up, parch, be ripened, wither, waste away. From xeros; to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature.

so quickly?”
παραχρῆμα (parachrēma)
Adverb
Strong's 3916: Instantly, immediately, on the spot. From para and chrema; at the thing itself, i.e. Instantly.


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