| Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible And in the morning, as they passed by,.... The fig tree; when they returned the next morning from Bethany, or the Mount of Olives, or the place, wherever it was, they had been that night: they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots; they did not see it immediately wither as it did, nor could they see it, as they went from Jerusalem to this place, because it was then in the evening; but in the morning, as they came along, they observed it; not only that the tender branches and boughs of it, but the trunk and body of the tree, and even the roots of it, were all dried up; so that it was entirely dead, and there was no room ever to expect it would revive, and bear any more fruit. Geneva Study Bible{4} And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. (4) The power of faith is exceedingly great, and charity is always joined with it. People's New Testament 11:20-24 They saw the fig tree dried up. See notes on Mt 21:19-22. Mark adds the fact, not stated by Matthew, that this language was spoken the day after the tree was cursed. Wesley's Notes 11:20 Mt 21:20. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary20. And in the morning-of Tuesday, the third day of the week: He had slept, as during all this week, at Bethany. as they passed by-going into Jerusalem again. they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots-no partial blight, leaving life in the root; but it was now dead, root and branch. In Mt 21:19 it is said it withered away as soon as it was cursed. But the full blight had not appeared probably at once; and in the dusk perhaps, as they returned to Bethany, they had not observed it. The precision with which Mark distinguishes the days is not observed by Matthew, intent only on holding up the truths which the incident was designed to teach. In Matthew the whole is represented as taking place at once, just as the two stages of Jairus' daughter-dying and dead-are represented by him as one. The only difference is between a more summary and a more detailed narrative, each of which only confirms the other. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary11:19-26 The disciples could not think why that fig-tree should so soon wither away; but all wither who reject Christ; it represented the state of the Jewish church. We should rest in no religion that does not make us fruitful in good works. Christ taught them from hence to pray in faith. It may be applied to that mighty faith with which all true Christians are endued, and which does wonders in spiritual things. It justifies us, and so removes mountains of guilt, never to rise up in judgment against us. It purifies the heart, and so removes mountains of corruption, and makes them plain before the grace of God. One great errand to the throne of grace is to pray for the pardon of our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern. |