The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

⁶ And he told this parable: “A man had ^(A)a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. ⁷ And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. ^(B)Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ ⁸ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. ⁹ Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’”

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

^18 (A)In the morning, as he was returning to the city, ^(B)he became hungry. ^19 (C)And seeing a fig tree by the wayside, he went to it and found nothing on it but only leaves. And he said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” And the fig tree withered at once.

²⁰ When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” ²¹ And Jesus answered them, ^(D)“Truly, I say to you, ^(E)if you have faith and ^(F)do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ^(G)‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. ²² And ^(H)whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, ^(I)if you have faith.”