Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:18

What does Matthew 21:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:18 means

The next morning, as Jesus returned to Jerusalem from Bethany, He experienced hunger. This detail emphasizes Jesus' full humanity, demonstrating that even He, the Son of God, experienced normal human needs and sensations. His hunger serves as a natural prompt for the events that follow, leading to His encounter with the fig tree and a powerful lesson for His disciples.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now in the morning when he was coming back to the town, he had a desire for food.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and in the morning turning back to the city, he hungered,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in the morning, returning into the city, he was hungry.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But early in the morning, as he came back into the city, he hungered.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of a new day during Passion Week, following Jesus' lodging in Bethany overnight. His hunger provides the immediate context for His interaction with the fig tree, which occurs in the very next verse. This human detail connects Jesus' physical experience to His subsequent actions and teachings.

v.17And he left them, and went forth out of the city to Bethany, and lodged there.

v.18This passage

v.19And seeing a fig tree by the way side, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only; and he saith unto it, Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 4:2

    And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterward hungered.

  • Matthew 12:1

    At that season Jesus went on the sabbath day through the grainfields; and his disciples were hungry and began to pluck ears and to eat.

  • Mark 11:12

    And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, he hungered.

  • Mark 11:20

    And as they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots.

  • Hebrews 4:15

    For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

  • Luke 4:2

    during forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.

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