The Cursing of the Fig Tree and the Power of Faith (Mark 11:12 ff., Mark 11:20-26 *). What Mk. has severed, Mt. joins together. The miracle is enhanced by happening at once. The special mention of Peter is strangely omitted. In both Gospels the tree is condemned for falsity, not fruitlessness, and symbolises Jerusalem rather than the nation. Besides Luke 13:6-9 * cf. Hosea 9:10. The lesson Jesus points is the efficacy of believing prayer. This mountain would be Olivet; apart from the familiar metaphor Jesus may have had Zechariah 14:4 in mind. The saying is found in another form in Matthew 17:20. Lk. (Luke 17:5 f.) substitutes this sycamine tree. Mk.'s addendum (Matthew 11:25) reminds us of 1 Corinthians 13:2. The cursing of the fig tree gives no sanction for cursing our neighbour.
Related Commentaries of Matthew 21:18
Matthew 21:18-22
18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
19 And when he saw a fig treea 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.
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
21 Jesus answered and said unto them,Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.