20 As they were passing by in the morning , they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Being reminded , Peter said to Him, " Rabbi , look , the fig tree which You cursed has withered ." 22 And Jesus answered saying to them, " Have faith in God . 23 " Truly I say to you, whoever e says to this mountain , 'Be taken up and cast into the sea ,' and does not doubt in his heart , but believes that what he says is going to happen , it will be granted him. 24 "Therefore e I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask , believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 25 "Whenever you stand praying , forgive , if you have anything against anyone , so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions . 26 [" But if you do not forgive , neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions ."]
27 They came again to Jerusalem . And as He was walking in the temple , the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, "By what authority are You doing these things , or who gave You this authority to do these things ?" 29 And Jesus said to them, "I will ask you one question , and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things . 30 "Was the baptism of John from heaven , or from men ? Answer Me." 31 They began reasoning among themselves , saying , "If we say , 'From heaven ,' He will say , 'Then why e did you not believe him?' 32 "But shall we say , 'From men '?"-they were afraid of the people , for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet . 33 Answering Jesus , they said , "We do not know ." And Jesus said to them, "Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 11:20-33
Commentary on Mark 11:19-26
(Read Mark 11:19-26)
The disciples could not think why that fig-tree should so soon wither away; but all wither who reject Christ; it represented the state of the Jewish church. We should rest in no religion that does not make us fruitful in good works. Christ taught them from hence to pray in faith. It may be applied to that mighty faith with which all true Christians are endued, and which does wonders in spiritual things. It justifies us, and so removes mountains of guilt, never to rise up in judgment against us. It purifies the heart, and so removes mountains of corruption, and makes them plain before the grace of God. One great errand to the throne of grace is to pray for the pardon of our sins; and care about this ought to be our daily concern.
Commentary on Mark 11:27-33
(Read Mark 11:27-33)
Our Saviour shows how near akin his doctrine and baptism were to those of John; they had the same design and tendency, to bring in the gospel kingdom. These elders did not deserve to be taught; for it was plain that they contended not for truth, but victory: nor did he need to tell them; for the works he did, told them plainly he had authority from God; since no man could do the miracles which he did, unless God were with him.