Mark 11:21
New International Version
Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

New Living Translation
Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

English Standard Version
And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Berean Standard Bible
Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

Berean Literal Bible
And having remembered, Peter says to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.”

King James Bible
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

New King James Version
And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

New American Standard Bible
And being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.”

NASB 1995
Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.”

NASB 1977
And being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.”

Amplified Bible
And remembering, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi (Master), look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered!”

Berean Annotated Bible
Peter (rock) remembered it and said, “Look (behold), Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Peter remembered and said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that You cursed is withered.”

American Standard Version
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

Contemporary English Version
Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree. Then Peter said, "Teacher, look! The tree you put a curse on has dried up."

English Revised Version
And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Peter remembered [what Jesus had said], so he said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has dried up."

Good News Translation
Peter remembered what had happened and said to Jesus, "Look, Teacher, the fig tree you cursed has died!"

International Standard Version
Remembering what Jesus had said, Peter pointed out to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has dried up!"

NET Bible
Peter remembered and said to him, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered."

New Heart English Bible
Peter, remembering, said to him, "Teacher, look. The fig tree which you cursed has withered away."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Peter calling to remembrance, saith to him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered.

Weymouth New Testament
and Peter, recollecting, said to Him, "Look, Rabbi, the fig-tree which you cursed is withered up."
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

World English Bible
Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Peter having remembered says to Him, “Rabbi, behold, the fig tree that You cursed is dried up.”

Berean Literal Bible
And having remembered, Peter says to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree that You cursed has withered.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Peter having remembered saith to him, 'Rabbi, lo, the fig-tree that thou didst curse is dried up.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Peter, having recalled to mind, says to him, Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is dried up.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Peter remembering, said to him: Rabbi, behold the fig tree, which thou didst curse, is withered away.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Peter, remembering, said to him, “Master, behold, the fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

New American Bible
Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Simon remembered, and said to him, Master, behold, the fig tree which you cursed has withered.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And Shimeon remembered and he said to him, “Rabbi, look, that fig tree that you cursed has dried up!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Peter, calling his words to mind, said to him: Rabbi, see! the fig-tree which thou didst curse has withered.

Godbey New Testament
And Peter remembering says to Him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which thou didst execrate is withered away.

Haweis New Testament
And Peter reminding him said, Rabbi, behold, the fig-tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

Mace New Testament
Peter remembring the tree, said, master, see the fig-tree, which you cursed, is quite withered.

Weymouth New Testament
and Peter, recollecting, said to Him, "Look, Rabbi, the fig-tree which you cursed is withered up."

Worrell New Testament
And Peter, calling to remembrance, says to Him, "Rabbi, behold, the fig tree which Thou didst curse has withered away!"

Worsley New Testament
And Peter remembring the tree, saith unto Him, Master, behold, the fig-tree which thou cursedst, is withered.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Withered Fig Tree
20As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. 21 Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.” 22“Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them.…

Cross References
Peter remembered it

Luke 22:61
And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

Mark 14:72
And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
and said,

Matthew 17:4
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

Luke 9:33
As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

Matthew 14:28
“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”
“Look, Rabbi!

Mark 9:5
Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

John 1:38
Jesus turned and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked. They said to Him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are You staying?”

John 1:49
“Rabbi,” Nathanael answered, “You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
The fig tree You cursed

Matthew 21:19
Seeing 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.

Luke 13:6-9
Then Jesus told this parable: “A man had a fig tree that was planted in his vineyard. He went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. / So he said to the keeper of the vineyard, ‘Look, for the past three years I have come to search for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Therefore cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’ / ‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone again this year, until I dig around it and fertilize it. …

Jeremiah 8:13
I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the tree, and even the leaf will wither. Whatever I have given them will be lost to them.”
has withered.”

Matthew 21:20
When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

James 1:11
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Isaiah 40:7-8
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.


Treasury of Scripture

And Peter calling to remembrance said to him, Master, behold, the fig tree which you cursed is withered away.

Proverbs 3:33
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

Zechariah 5:3,4
Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it…

Matthew 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

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Mark 11
1. Jesus rides with triumph into Jerusalem;
12. curses the fruitless fig tree;
15. purges the temple;
20. exhorts his disciples to steadfastness of faith, and to forgive their enemies;
27. and defends his actions by the witness of John, who was a man sent of God.












Peter remembered it
Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, often serves as a spokesperson for the group. His act of remembering highlights the importance of the fig tree incident, which occurred the previous day. This reflects the Jewish tradition of oral memory and the importance of recalling significant events. The act of remembering is also a key theme in Scripture, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:2, where the Israelites are called to remember God's works.

and said,
Peter's verbal response indicates the significance of the event. In Jewish culture, speaking was a primary means of teaching and learning. This moment is a teaching opportunity for the disciples, emphasizing the power of Jesus' words and actions.

“Look, Rabbi!
The term "Rabbi" is a title of respect, meaning "teacher" or "master." It acknowledges Jesus' authority and role as a spiritual leader. This title is used throughout the Gospels to address Jesus, reflecting His role in guiding and instructing His followers.

The fig tree You cursed
The fig tree is symbolic in Jewish literature, often representing Israel (Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 8:13). Jesus' cursing of the fig tree is a prophetic act symbolizing judgment on unfruitfulness, particularly in the context of Israel's spiritual state. The act of cursing is significant, as it demonstrates Jesus' authority over creation and His role as a prophet.

has withered.”
The withering of the fig tree is immediate and complete, illustrating the power of Jesus' words. This serves as a visual parable about the consequences of spiritual barrenness and the importance of bearing fruit in one's life. The withering also connects to themes of judgment and renewal found in passages like Isaiah 34:4 and Revelation 6:13, where cosmic signs accompany divine judgment.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples, known for his impulsive nature and strong faith. Here, he observes and comments on the withered fig tree.

2. Jesus (Rabbi)
The central figure of the New Testament, whose actions and teachings are the foundation of Christian faith. He had previously cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit.

3. The Fig Tree
A symbol of fruitfulness and often used in Scripture to represent Israel. Jesus cursed it for its lack of fruit, serving as a metaphor for spiritual barrenness.

4. The Temple
While not directly mentioned in this verse, the event occurs in the context of Jesus' cleansing of the temple, highlighting themes of judgment and purification.

5. Jerusalem
The city where these events take place, significant as the center of Jewish worship and the location of the temple.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Bearing Fruit
Just as the fig tree was expected to bear fruit, Christians are called to produce spiritual fruit in their lives. This includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Faith and Prayer
Jesus uses this event to teach about the power of faith and prayer. Believers are encouraged to have faith in God and to pray with confidence, trusting in His power to act.

Judgment and Accountability
The withering of the fig tree serves as a warning of judgment for spiritual barrenness. It reminds believers of the importance of living a life that reflects God's righteousness and truth.

Symbolism of the Fig Tree
The fig tree represents Israel and, by extension, the church. It serves as a reminder that outward appearances of religiosity are not enough; true faith must be accompanied by genuine spiritual fruit.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Mark 11:21?

2. How does Mark 11:21 demonstrate the power of faith in prayer?

3. What lesson does Peter's reaction teach about recognizing God's work in our lives?

4. How can Mark 11:21 inspire us to trust God's timing and authority?

5. How does this verse connect to Jesus' teachings on faith in Matthew 17:20?

6. In what ways can we apply the principle of faith from Mark 11:21 today?

7. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in Mark 11:21?

8. What does the withered fig tree symbolize in Mark 11:21?

9. How does Mark 11:21 relate to faith and prayer?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 11?

11. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?

12. The Gospels say that Jesus cursed a fig tree. Did the tree wither at once? Yes. (Matthew 21:19) No. It withered overnight (Mark II: 20)

13. Why does Jesus curse a fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season (Mark 11:12-14)? Isn't that irrational behavior for God?

14. Mark 11:12-14, 20-21: Why would Jesus curse a fig tree for lacking fruit when it was not the season for figs?
What Does Mark 11:21 Mean
Peter remembered it

• Memory matters: the Holy Spirit caused Peter to recall exactly what Jesus had done the previous morning (Mark 11:20).

• This remembering underscores the trustworthiness of eyewitness testimony in Scripture (2 Peter 1:16).

• Peter’s recall links the miracle to its intended lesson—God never performs signs at random (John 20:30-31).


and said,

• Peter speaks up, acting as spokesman for the Twelve (cf. Mark 8:29).

• His words invite Jesus to explain the event, showing that questions asked in faith open doors to deeper revelation (James 1:5).

• The disciples’ dialogue illustrates authentic discipleship: observing, asking, and receiving (Luke 11:1).


“Look, Rabbi!”

• “Look” signals amazement; miracles are meant to stir holy awe, not casual indifference (Psalm 118:23).

• Calling Jesus “Rabbi” acknowledges His authority as teacher (John 3:2) yet falls short of the fuller confession “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:29); their understanding is still growing.

• Awe combined with teachability positions believers to grasp kingdom truths (Proverbs 9:9).


The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

• Literal fulfillment: a once-leafy tree now stands dead from the roots (Mark 11:20), proving Jesus’ sovereign power over creation (Colossians 1:16-17).

• Prophetic sign: like fruitless Israel, outward religion without spiritual fruit invites judgment (Jeremiah 8:13; Luke 13:6-9).

• Warning and encouragement:

– Fruitlessness brings cursing (Matthew 21:19).

– Fruitfulness flows from abiding in Christ (John 15:5-6; Galatians 5:22-23).

• Eschatological echo: God’s patience has limits; today is the day to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Romans 11:20-22).


summary

Peter’s recalled observation turns a withered fig tree into a living lesson: Jesus’ word is instantly effective, His miracles are literal and purposeful, and outward show without spiritual fruit cannot stand. The passage urges believers to remember Christ’s works, seek His explanation, marvel at His authority, and, above all, live fruit-bearing lives that prove genuine faith.

(21-22) And Peter calling to remembrance.--St. Mark alone names Peter as the speaker. The form of our Lord's answer, "Have faith in God," is also peculiar to him.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Peter
Πέτρος (Petros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.

remembered [it]
ἀναμνησθεὶς (anamnēstheis)
Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 363: To remind, admonish, be reminded, remind myself; pass: I remember, recall. From ana and mimnesko; to remind; to recollect.

[and] said,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Look,
ἴδε (ide)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

Rabbi!
Ῥαββί (Rhabbi)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4461: Of Hebrew origin; my master, i.e Rabbi, as an official title of honor.

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.

You cursed
κατηράσω (katērasō)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2672: To curse. Middle voice from katara; to execrate; by analogy, to doom.

has withered.”
ἐξήρανται (exērantai)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or 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.


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NT Gospels: Mark 11:21 Peter remembering said to him Rabbi look! (Mar Mk Mr)
Mark 11:20
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