Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus approaches a fig tree by the road while returning to Jerusalem hungry, acting before His disciples who will later witness the result (Matthew 21:18-20).
The words — The supplied Greek lists ἰδὼν (idōn, having seen), συκῆν (sukēn, fig tree), and ἦλθεν (ēlthen, He came) from the opening narrative clause.
The thread — The withering motif connects to John 15:6 regarding branches that do not remain in Christ, while the fruitless tree parallels the warning in Mark 11:14.
Why it lands — The text records Jesus pronouncing a curse on a leaf-only tree that withers immediately, establishing a concrete pattern that external profession without fruit invites judgment, as echoed in Titus 1:16.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Cross-references
- Mark 11:14 Then He said to the tree, “May no one ever eat of your fruit again.” And His disciples heard this statement.
- 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.
- Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
- Luke 3:9 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
- Luke 13:6 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.
- John 15:2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful.
- Isaiah 5:4 What more could have been done for My vineyard than I have done for it? Why, when I expected sweet grapes, did it bring forth sour fruit?
- 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!
- Jude 1:12 These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.
- Revelation 22:11 Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”