Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:19

What does Matthew 21:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:19 means

Jesus saw a fig tree with only leaves, but no fruit, and cursed it, saying, "Let there be no fruit from thee henceforward for ever." The fig tree immediately withered. This served as a dramatic, acted-out parable. Figs normally appear before leaves, so leaves without fruit indicated barrenness. This miracle symbolized God's judgment on Israel's spiritual barrenness and hypocrisy, outwardly appearing righteous (leaves) but lacking spiritual fruit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And seeing a fig-tree by the wayside, he came to it, and saw nothing on it but leaves only; and he said to it, Let there be no fruit from you from this time forward for ever. And straight away the fig-tree became dry and dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and having seen a certain fig-tree on the way, he came to it, and found nothing in it except leaves only, and he saith to it, `No more from thee may fruit be--to the age;' and forthwith the fig-tree withered.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And seeing a certain fig tree by the way side, he came to it and found nothing on it but leaves only. And he saith to it: May no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And immediately the fig tree withered away.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And seeing one fig-tree in the way, he came to it and found on it nothing but leaves only. And he says to it, Let there be never more fruit of thee for ever. And the fig-tree was immediately dried up.

Context

This verse describes Jesus' interaction with the fig tree, directly following His return to the city and His experience of hunger. This unexpected miracle immediately precedes the disciples' amazement and Jesus' subsequent teaching on faith and prayer. This event is a powerful visual illustration, setting the stage for a lesson about spiritual fruitfulness and divine judgment.

v.18Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he hungered.

v.19This passage

v.20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away?

Cross references

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

  • John 15:6

    If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

  • Luke 19:42

    saying, If thou hadst known in this day, even thou, the things which belong unto peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

  • 2 Timothy 3:5

    holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.

  • Luke 13:6

    And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.

  • Jude 1:12

    These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

  • Isaiah 5:4

    What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes?

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