Matthew 21:20
◄  Matthew 21:20  ►
New International Version (©2011)
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked.

New Living Translation (©2007)
The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"

English Standard Version (©2001)
When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?”

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Seeing this, the disciples were amazed and asked, "How did the fig tree wither all at once?"

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.

NET Bible (©2006)
When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?"

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And the disciples saw and they marveled and they were saying, “How quickly the fig tree withered up!”

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
The disciples were surprised to see this. They asked, "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?"

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

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

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

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the disciples seeing it wondered, saying: How is it presently withered away?

Darby Bible Translation
And when the disciples saw it, they wondered, saying, How immediately is the fig-tree dried up!

English Revised Version
And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, 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?"

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

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

21:18-22 This cursing of the barren fig-tree represents the state of hypocrites in general, and so teaches us that Christ looks for the power of religion in those who profess it, and the savour of it from those that have the show of it. His just expectations from flourishing professors are often disappointed; he comes to many, seeking fruit, and finds leaves only. A false profession commonly withers in this world, and it is the effect of Christ's curse. The fig-tree that had no fruit, soon lost its leaves. This represents the state of the nation and people of the Jews in particular. Our Lord Jesus found among them nothing but leaves. And after they rejected Christ, blindness and hardness grew upon them, till they were undone, and their place and nation rooted up. The Lord was righteous in it. Let us greatly fear the doom denounced on the barren fig-tree.

Pulpit Commentary

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.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And when the disciples saw it,.... The next day in the morning, as Mark says: they had, heard what Christ had said to it the day before, as the same evangelist observes; but did not take notice of the immediate withering of the tree; but the next morning, as they returned from Bethany, they saw it dried up from the roots:

they marvelled; not that Christ should curse it, but that it should wither away so soon, and upon his saying what he did; which was a considerable instance of his power and Godhead, all creatures, animate and inanimate, being at his command and disposal:

saying, how soon is the fig tree withered away? This was said by Peter, in the name of the rest, who recollecting what Jesus had said to it the day before, and observing how the event had answered his words so soon, addressed Christ after this manner: "master, behold the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away"; expressing his wonder at it, and ascribing, it to the power of Christ; of which this was an amazing proof and evidence.

Matthew 21:20 Parallel Commentaries

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The Barren Fig Tree
18Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungry. 19And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said to it, Let no fruit grow on you henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. 20And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!

Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Matthew 21:19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
Matthew 21:21 Jesus replied, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.