Question 1

What details in vv. 20–21 show the completeness of what happened to the fig tree, and why does Peter mention Jesus’ earlier curse?

Accepted Answer

Verse 20 says the tree was “withered away from the roots,” which implies the damage is total and irreversible, not just wilted leaves. Verse 21 adds memory and interpretation: Peter explicitly links what they see to Jesus’ prior word (“the fig tree which you cursed has withered away”). That connection shows the tree is not presented as a random event but as confirmation that Jesus’ speech had effect. Mark frames the observation as a prompt for Jesus to teach, moving from visible evidence to instruction about trust and prayer.

Question 2

How does Jesus’ response in v. 22 shift the focus from the tree to a broader issue?

Accepted Answer

Jesus does not explain the mechanics of the withering. Instead, he redirects the moment to the disciples’ stance toward God: “Have faith in God.” The shift suggests the key lesson is not about trees but about where confidence belongs when facing situations that seem fixed. The fig tree functions as a trigger for teaching. The passage then develops that focus through an extreme example (“this mountain”) and through statements about asking in prayer, making trust in God the center rather than fascination with the earlier sign.

Question 3

In vv. 23–24, what repeated elements describe the kind of prayer Jesus is talking about?

Accepted Answer

Two repeated elements stand out: speech/asking and inner conviction. In v. 23 the person “says” to the mountain and must not “doubt in his heart” but “believes” the outcome. In v. 24 the person “pray[s] and ask[s]” and is to “believe” that they receive. The passage ties outward prayer language (“say,” “ask”) to an inward posture (undivided confidence). It presents prayer as directed toward God (v. 22) and characterized by trust rather than inner hesitation.

Question 4

What does the phrase “this mountain” contribute to the meaning of vv. 23–24 within the passage?

Accepted Answer

“This mountain” functions as an intentionally large, seemingly impossible object. Whether it is a literal mountain in view or a figure for obstacles, the point within the passage is scale: the example pushes beyond ordinary expectations to highlight God’s ability to act and the seriousness of trust without inner doubting. The language is not primarily about technique but about confidence that what is asked is not blocked by God’s inability. It intensifies the teaching so that v. 24 (“all things whatever you pray and ask for”) sounds as bold as the mountain illustration.

Question 5

How do vv. 25–26 relate to vv. 22–24: do they add a new topic or qualify the earlier teaching?

Accepted Answer

Verses 25–26 keep the subject of prayer (“Whenever you stand praying”) but add a relational condition: forgiving others when there is something “against anyone.” This does not replace the emphasis on trust; it places prayer in a moral and relational setting. The text’s stated logic is that forgiving others relates to seeking the Father’s forgiveness of one’s own wrongs. So the passage moves from confidence in God’s power (vv. 22–24) to integrity in one’s relationships while praying (vv. 25–26).

Question 6

What does the passage explicitly say is at stake in forgiving or not forgiving (vv. 25–26)?

Accepted Answer

The passage explicitly connects human forgiveness to divine forgiveness. In v. 25, forgiving others is linked to the purpose “so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.” Verse 26 states the negative counterpart: refusing to forgive is linked to not being forgiven by the Father. The text frames this as part of prayer (“standing praying”), suggesting that approaching God involves not only requests but also the state of one’s relationships and willingness to release claims against others.

Question 7

If v. 26 is absent in some early copies, what remains clearly taught from vv. 25–26 as a whole?

Accepted Answer

Even without v. 26, v. 25 still plainly links prayer with forgiving others and connects that to the Father’s forgiveness. Verse 25 already contains the key elements: the setting (praying), the action (forgive anyone you have something against), and the stated reason (that the Father may forgive your wrongs). Verse 26 mainly restates the same idea in negative form. So the core teaching does not depend on v. 26; it intensifies the warning, but the relational link is already explicit.

Mark 11:20-26

Scripture