Faith, Forgiveness, and Authority (Mark 11:20-33)
Jesus was never one to waste a moment. Every action He took—even something as small as cursing a fig tree—carried deep meaning. In Mark 11:20–33, we see Jesus teaching His disciples important lessons about faith, forgiveness, and spiritual authority. Let’s take a closer look at what happened and what it means for us today.
A Withered Tree and a Deeper Message
As Jesus and His disciples walked back into Jerusalem, they passed the same fig tree He had cursed the day before. To their surprise, it was completely dried up from the roots.
Peter pointed it out: “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
Jesus had used the fig tree as a picture of what happens when something looks good on the outside but has no real fruit. Just like that tree, many in Israel appeared religious but didn’t have true faith or a relationship with God. It’s a reminder that God looks for spiritual fruit in our lives—things like love, kindness, and trust in Him.
Mountain-Moving Faith
Jesus didn’t just talk about the fig tree—He used it to teach about faith.
He told His disciples, “Have faith in God.” Then He said something powerful: “If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes… it will be done.”
Of course, Jesus wasn’t telling us to throw actual mountains into the sea. He was showing how strong and effective real faith can be. When we truly trust God, even the biggest challenges in our lives—our “mountains”—can be moved. He wants us to pray with confidence, believing that He hears us and can do what seems impossible.
Don’t Forget to Forgive
But Jesus added an important point: when you pray, make sure you’re forgiving others. He said, “If you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s also about keeping our hearts clean. Bitterness and anger can block our relationship with God. Forgiveness isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary. When we forgive, we make space for healing, peace, and answered prayers.
A Challenge to Jesus’ Authority
When Jesus arrived at the temple, some religious leaders—priests, teachers, and elders—came to challenge Him. They asked, “By what authority are you doing these things?”
They were upset about what He had done the day before, driving out people who were misusing the temple. But more than that, they were questioning His right to teach, heal, and lead people. In other words: “Who gave You permission to act like this?”
Jesus Flips the Question
Instead of answering directly, Jesus asked them a question: “Was John the Baptist’s work from heaven or from people?”
This was brilliant. If they said “from heaven,” then they’d be admitting that John—and by connection, Jesus—had God’s approval. But if they said “from people,” they feared the crowd, because many believed John was a true prophet.
Trapped by the Truth
Caught in their own trap, the leaders gave the safest answer they could think of: “We don’t know.”
Jesus responded, “Then neither will I tell you by what authority I’m doing these things.”
Jesus didn’t avoid their question out of fear—He exposed their unwillingness to accept the truth. They weren’t looking for real answers; they just wanted to hold on to their power.
What Does This Mean for Us Today?
This short passage is packed with truth for everyday life. Here are a few takeaways:
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God wants us to grow spiritually—not just look good on the outside.
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Faith is powerful—even small faith in a big God can move mountains.
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Forgiveness is essential—if we want peace with God, we must make peace with others.
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Jesus has real authority—and He still invites us to follow Him.
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Don’t avoid truth—like the religious leaders, we can miss what God is doing when pride or fear gets in the way.
Final Thoughts
Jesus doesn’t just want our admiration—He wants our trust. He calls us to live with bold faith, open hearts, and a willingness to forgive. And He wants us to recognize that He truly has the authority to lead our lives.
Is there a “mountain” you need to bring to God in prayer? Is there someone you need to forgive? Are you holding back from fully trusting Jesus’ authority?
Today is a good day to take that next step of faith.
Mark 11:20-33 (WEB)
11:20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. 21 Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”22 Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. 23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening, he shall have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. 25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”27 They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to him, 28 and they began saying to him, “By what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”31 They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 If we should say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet. 33 They answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”