How does Matthew 21:20 connect to other miracles in the Gospels? Setting the Scene in Matthew 21:20 “When the disciples saw this, they marveled and asked, ‘How did the fig tree wither so quickly?’” • The disciples witness a tree, green only moments before, shrivel at a single word from Jesus. • Their amazement and inquiry set the stage for Jesus to teach about faith (vv. 21-22). Miracles That Display Jesus’ Authority over Nature Matthew 21:20 links directly with other events where creation itself obeys its Creator: • Calming the storm – “Even the winds and the sea obey Him!” (Matthew 8:27). • Walking on water – “He came to them walking on the sea” (Matthew 14:25-33). • First catch of fish – nets breaking under miraculous abundance (Luke 5:4-9). • Second miraculous catch – after Resurrection, 153 fish (John 21:6-7). • Turning water into wine – material transformation in an instant (John 2:1-11). In each scene, Jesus speaks or wills, and nature responds immediately, just like the fig tree. Miracles That Call for Faith After the fig tree withers, Jesus says, “If you have faith and do not doubt…” (Matthew 21:21-22). The same faith focus appears in: • Healing of the bleeding woman – “Your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34). • Cleansing ten lepers – only one returns, praised for faith (Luke 17:17-19). • Centurion’s servant – “Not even in Israel have I found such great faith” (Matthew 8:10-13). Miracles are not spectacles alone; they draw worshipers into active trust. Miracles Used as Living Parables The cursed fig tree illustrates judgment on fruitless religiosity. Other sign-acts function similarly: • Turning tables in the temple (Matthew 21:12-13) – exposing corrupt worship. • Healing man with withered hand on Sabbath (Mark 3:1-6) – revealing hardness of heart. • Feeding the 5,000 (John 6) – pointing to Jesus as the Bread of Life. Each miracle teaches a doctrinal truth through concrete action, just as the fig tree warns of coming judgment (cf. Luke 13:6-9). Miracles That Evoke Disciple Amazement Matthew 21:20 preserves the recurring pattern of stunned followers: • “They were utterly astounded” at the walking on water (Mark 6:51-52). • “They marveled, saying, ‘Who is this Son of Man?’” after healing the boy with a demon (Luke 9:43-45). • “They did not understand the loaves” (Mark 6:52) – echoing their question about the fig tree. Amazement exposes growing awareness yet lingering incomprehension, moving the disciples toward fuller revelation at the Resurrection. Miracles That Signal Judgment and Purity The immediate withering previews divine judgment on unfruitful Israel (cf. Hosea 9:10, Micah 7:1-4). Related acts include: • Legion of demons cast into pigs—unclean spirits judged, pigs destroyed (Mark 5:13). • Ananias and Sapphira’s sudden death (Acts 5:1-11) – New-Covenant echo of swift judgment. • Temple curtain torn (Matthew 27:51) – judgment on old sacrificial system. Each event underscores God’s holiness and the necessity of genuine fruit. Key Takeaways for Today • Jesus’ word possesses absolute authority over creation, illness, spirits, and history. • Miracles are faith-shaping, calling believers beyond curiosity to confident prayer. • Visible wonders often carry deeper moral or prophetic messages; the fig tree warns against empty religiosity. • The repeated disciple astonishment encourages modern readers: growth in understanding is a journey, but every miracle beckons us to deeper trust in the Lord who still speaks and acts today. |
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