And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.

MARK 11:20KJV
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Mark 11:20 (KJV)

What does Mark 11:20 mean?

Mark 11:20 describes how, the morning after Jesus spoke to a fig tree, his followers saw that the tree had completely withered away, starting from its roots. This shows that the fig tree’s condition had drastically changed overnight as a direct result of what Jesus had said the previous day.

Earlier, Jesus had approached the fig tree looking for fruit and, finding none, pronounced that no one would eat from it again. The next morning, as Jesus and his disciples were passing by, they noticed the tree was not just wilted on the surface but had dried up from the very roots, indicating a total and irreversible change.

The Greek behind Mark 11:20

  • ῥίζα (rhiza, "roots"): The Greek word for "roots" emphasizes that the fig tree was dried up from its very foundation, not just its leaves or branches. This detail shows the thoroughness of the withering, making it clear that the change was complete and not superficial.
  • ἐξηραμμένην (exērammenēn, "dried up"): This word is often used for something that has become completely withered or parched. In this context, it underscores that the tree was entirely lifeless, not just temporarily wilted.

Why Mark 11:20 matters

  • Mark 11:20 clarifies that the withering of the fig tree was not a gradual or partial process but a sudden and total event, which would have been striking to the disciples.
  • The detail about the roots highlights that the change was deep and irreversible, not just a surface-level reaction.
  • This verse connects directly to the lesson Jesus was teaching about faith and the consequences of spiritual barrenness, setting up the discussion that follows in the next verses.

Where else these words appear

“by” Greek G3899 · used in 5 verses

  • Matthew 27:39 And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads,
  • Mark 2:23 And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.
  • Mark 9:30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

“morning” Greek G4404 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
  • Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:
  • Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

“tree” Greek G4808 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 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.
  • Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
  • Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

“up” Greek G3583 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 13:6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
  • Mark 4:6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.
  • John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.