Matthew 21:18–27

A Barren Fig Tree Cursed

18 Now early in the morning, as he* was returning to the city, he was hungry. 19 And seeing a single fig tree by the road, he went to it and found nothing on it except leaves only. And he said to it, “May there be no more fruit from you ⌊forever⌋,g and the fig tree withered at once. 20 And when they* saw it,* the disciples were astonished, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and* said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will do not only what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” it will happen! 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, if you* believe, you will receive.”

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

23 And after* he arrived at the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him while he* was teaching, saying, “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” 24 And Jesus answered and* said to them, “I also will ask you one question. If you tell the answer* to me, I also will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 From where was the baptism of John—from heaven or from men?” And they began to discuss* this* among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the crowd, because they all look upon John as a prophet.” 27 And they answered and* said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.