*Mark 11:20-33
Jesus teaches the importance of faith and forgiveness in receiving answers to prayer.
- The Withered Fig Tree:
- Jesus and His disciples pass by a fig tree that Jesus had previously cursed for not bearing fruit.
- The tree is found completely withered, as noticed by Peter, who comments on this miraculous outcome.
- Lesson on Faith and Prayer:
- Jesus uses the withered fig tree as a teaching moment.
- He emphasizes the importance of faith, explaining that unwavering belief can yield miraculous results.
- Jesus encourages prayer with strong faith, promising that sincere prayers will be answered.
- He stresses the necessity of forgiving others when praying to ensure one’s own forgiveness by God.
- Questioning of Jesus’ Authority:
- Jesus returns to the temple in Jerusalem, where chief priests, scribes, and elders confront Him.
- They challenge His authority, demanding to know by what power He has been performing miracles and teaching.
- Jesus’ Counter-Question:
- In response, Jesus poses a question to them about the origin of John the Baptist’s baptism, asking if it was from heaven or from man.
- This puts the religious leaders in a difficult position.
- Leaders’ Dilemma and Non-Response:
- The religious leaders deliberate but cannot decide, fearing backlash from the people who revered John as a prophet.
- They ultimately answer that they do not know.
- Jesus refuses to reveal the source of His authority to them due to their evasiveness.
11:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
11:27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, 11:28 And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? 11:29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things.
11:30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.
11:31 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? 11:32 But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed.
11:33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.