Mark 11:20
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The fig tree miracle is one of Jesus' few 'negative' miracles (along with the Gadarene swine, Matthew 8:28-34). Unlike healings and exorcisms that restore and bless, this miracle judges and destroys. The disciples' amazement (v. 21) is understandable—they had never seen Jesus use miracle power destructively. Yet this sign-act was necessary to dramatize God's judgment on fruitless religion. Old Testament prophets similarly performed shocking symbolic acts: Hosea married a prostitute (Hosea 1:2), Isaiah walked naked (Isaiah 20:2-4), Ezekiel lay on his side for 430 days (Ezekiel 4:4-8). These actions viscerally communicated God's message. The withered fig tree remained visible throughout Passion Week as Jesus taught about faith (vv. 22-25), debated religious leaders (11:27-12:40), and prophesied the temple's destruction (13:1-2). Within 40 years, Rome besieged Jerusalem (AD 66-70), starving the city and razing the temple. Not one stone remained on another (Mark 13:2), just as the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the fig tree's complete death 'from the roots' symbolize about the totality of God's judgment on fruitless religious systems?
- How does this miracle's 'destructive' nature challenge assumptions that God's power only heals and never judges?
- In what ways should the withered fig tree prompt self-examination about whether our spiritual lives produce genuine fruit or merely impressive religious appearances?
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Analysis & Commentary
And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots (πρωῒ παραπορευόμενοι εἶδον τὴν συκῆν ἐξηραμμένην ἐκ ῥιζῶν)—this is Tuesday morning of Passion Week. The disciples discover that Jesus' curse (v. 14) has taken full effect. The perfect passive participle exērammenēn (ἐξηραμμένην, "dried up") indicates completed action with ongoing results: the tree is thoroughly dead. The phrase from the roots (ek rhizōn, ἐκ ῥιζῶν) emphasizes the totality of judgment—not merely withered leaves but dead to the core. No possibility of recovery exists; the tree is utterly finished.
This detail heightens the miracle's impact: a full-grown fig tree completely withered overnight, something botanically impossible by natural means. Jesus' word carried creative and destructive power (Hebrews 1:3). The withered tree visually demonstrates the judgment pronounced on Israel's fruitless religion, particularly the temple establishment Jesus cleansed (vv. 15-17). As the tree died from the roots, so Israel's temple system would be destroyed to its foundations (fulfilled AD 70). The image also anticipates Jesus' teaching in John 15:1-6 about branches severed from the vine withering and being burned—fruitlessness results in judgment.