MATTHEW 21:18-22 THE CURSING OF THE FIG TREE | Bibleinterpretation by Fr. Abraham Mutholath

MATTHEW 21:18-22
THE CURSING OF THE FIG TREE

INTRODUCTION

This passage, found in the Gospel of Matthew, takes place the morning after Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. As He returns from Bethany, Jesus becomes hungry and approaches a fig tree full of leaves but finds no fruit on it. In response, He curses the tree, and it withers instantly. To the modern reader, this may seem like a simple act of frustration, but in the context of Scripture, it is a profound prophetic sign. The fig tree often symbolizes Israel in the Old Testament (cf. Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 8:13). By cursing a fruitless tree, Jesus is symbolically condemning the outward religiosity of those who appeared faithful but bore no fruits of repentance and righteousness.

The miracle also becomes a teaching moment for the disciples. When they marvel at how quickly the fig tree withered, Jesus uses the event to reveal the power of faith and prayer. He tells them that if they have faith without doubt, they can perform even greater wonders—such as commanding a mountain to move. This passage bridges prophetic symbolism with practical spirituality: God expects genuine fruitfulness from His people, not mere appearances. Faith must be alive, bearing visible fruits of love, justice, and mercy, and empowered by unwavering trust in prayer.

Matthew 21:18 “When he was going back to the city in the morning, he was hungry.

This verse introduces the event known as The Cursing of the Fig Tree, which took place as Jesus returned from Bethany to Jerusalem the morning after His triumphal entry. It appears simple—a statement about hunger—but holds profound spiritual symbolism. In the Catholic understanding, Jesus’ physical hunger reveals both His true humanity and His divine desire for genuine faith and fruitfulness among His people.

Historical and Jewish Context

The Journey from Bethany to Jerusalem
Jesus and His disciples were staying in Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem, possibly in the house of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (cf. John 12:1). Each morning during the final week before His Passion, He would walk from Bethany to the city. This walk, through the Mount of Olives and the nearby village of Bethphage, led directly into Jerusalem—a route filled with messianic meaning. His return “in the morning” signifies His diligence in continuing the Father’s mission despite the hostility that awaited Him in the city.
The Symbolism of Hunger
In Jewish culture, hunger often symbolized longing or spiritual thirst (cf. Psalm 42:2, Amos 8:11). Jesus’ hunger was real—He had fully assumed human nature (cf. Philippians 2:6–8)—yet it also represented His divine yearning to find spiritual fruit among God’s people. Like a teacher inspecting his pupils, the Lord was seeking evidence of faith and righteousness among the chosen nation, who had been privileged to receive the Law and the Prophets.
Morning in the Scriptures
Morning is a time of new beginnings and divine revelation. God gave manna to the Israelites in the morning (Exodus 16:13–15), and the women found the empty tomb at dawn (Mark 16:2). In this context, Jesus’ morning hunger marks the start of a day of judgment and teaching—a new moment of revelation concerning faith, fruitfulness, and hypocrisy.

Catholic Theological Perspective

From the Catholic viewpoint, this verse reminds us that Jesus was both true God and true man. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions and needs:
CCC 470 – “In the Incarnation the Son of God… worked with human hands; he thought with a human mind. He acted with a human will, and with a human heart he loved.”

Thus, His hunger reveals not weakness but His solidarity with us. Spiritually, His hunger expresses God’s longing for our holiness and conversion. Just as He sought fruit on the fig tree, He seeks faith that expresses itself in works of love (cf. James 2:17).

Moreover, Jesus’ hunger foreshadows the Eucharistic mystery. In the Eucharist, Christ’s own Body becomes food for humanity’s hunger for God. His physical hunger on the road to Jerusalem prefigures His divine hunger on the Cross—His thirst for souls (“I thirst,” John 19:28).

Parallels in Scripture

Mark 11:12–14 – Parallel account of Jesus’ hunger and the fig tree, which emphasizes the lesson on genuine faith.
John 4:34 – “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
Amos 8:11 – The prophecy of a famine “not of bread, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
Psalm 63:1 – “My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you.”
John 6:35 – “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger.”

These parallels show that Jesus’ hunger points beyond the physical—it reveals the spiritual hunger of God for human response and communion.

Key Terms

“Going back to the city” – Symbolizes Jesus’ steadfast journey toward His Passion in Jerusalem, the city that will reject Him yet also become the center of salvation history.
“In the morning” – The time of divine manifestation, often representing renewal and judgment.
“He was hungry” – Expresses both human need and divine longing; a profound moment where the Creator experiences the limitations of His creatures.

Catholic Liturgical Significance

The event of the cursing of the fig tree is read in the liturgy during Holy Week, serving as a spiritual warning. The barren fig tree symbolizes fruitless faith—religiosity without repentance or charity. The Church invites the faithful to self-examination, especially during Lent and Holy Week, to bear fruits worthy of conversion (cf. Luke 3:8).

Conclusion

Matthew 21:18 reveals a deeply incarnational moment: God-made-man experiencing hunger. Yet beneath this human experience lies divine symbolism—Christ seeks spiritual fruit among His followers. His hunger calls us to examine whether our faith bears the fruits of mercy, justice, and love. As the true Vine (John 15:1), He invites us to abide in Him so that our lives may not be barren but fruitful for the Kingdom.

Reflection

Do I satisfy Christ’s hunger by offering Him the fruits of faith, love, and service?
Am I attentive to the spiritual hunger around me—in the poor, the lonely, and the lost?
How can I transform my moments of spiritual dryness into opportunities to grow closer to God?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You walked the dusty road to Jerusalem, hungry and weary, yet filled with love for humanity. Awaken in us a holy hunger for righteousness and compassion. May our hearts never be barren like the fig tree, but fruitful in works of mercy and faith. Sustain us with Your Body and Blood, that we may always hunger for the things of heaven. Amen.

Matthew 21:19 “Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went over to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. And he said to it, ‘May no fruit ever come from you again.’ And immediately the fig tree withered.”

This verse captures a dramatic and symbolic act of Jesus—cursing the barren fig tree. It is the only miracle in the Gospels that is destructive rather than restorative, yet its purpose is profoundly spiritual. The action was not a display of anger or disappointment over a lack of food, but a prophetic sign revealing God’s judgment on fruitless faith and hypocrisy. In Catholic interpretation, it calls believers to authentic conversion, bearing the fruits of righteousness rather than mere outward appearances.

Historical and Jewish Context

The Fig Tree in Jewish Symbolism
In Jewish tradition, the fig tree often symbolized the nation of Israel (cf. Hosea 9:10; Jeremiah 8:13). A healthy fig tree with fruit represented peace, prosperity, and faithfulness to God’s covenant. When it bore only leaves, it became a sign of hypocrisy—appearance without substance. By cursing the fig tree, Jesus enacted a living parable against spiritual barrenness, particularly addressing the religious leaders who displayed outward piety but lacked true faith and justice.
The Season and Setting
Mark’s Gospel (11:13) notes that it was not the season for figs, which makes this event puzzling. However, in early spring, fig trees bore small edible buds known as pagim before the leaves appeared. The presence of leaves should have indicated fruit, but this tree had none. Hence, it symbolized false appearance—professing life but yielding nothing. This reflected the state of Israel at that time: abundant in ritual and tradition but lacking in genuine faith and conversion of heart.
The Roadside Tree
The fig tree “by the road” was public, visible to all—symbolic of how religious life in Jerusalem was on display. Yet, beneath the showy exterior of temple rituals and Pharisaic devotion, there was no inner transformation. Jesus’ act was a visible sign for His disciples, a warning that faith must bear fruit or face spiritual decay.

Catholic Theological Perspective

The Church teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). The fig tree thus represents the soul or community that appears devout but fails to produce the fruits of charity, justice, and mercy. CCC 546 states: “Jesus’ invitations to enter the kingdom through parables are a characteristic feature of his teaching… but for those who refuse to believe, the parables conceal.” Similarly, this enacted parable reveals the consequences of refusing grace.

Jesus’ curse was not a vindictive act but a solemn teaching moment. The immediate withering shows the spiritual death that follows the rejection of divine life. Just as the tree lost its vitality, so too the soul separated from God’s grace becomes lifeless.

In another sense, the fig tree prefigures the coming judgment upon Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. Despite centuries of divine mercy and prophetic warnings, Israel’s leadership rejected the Messiah. The withered tree symbolizes the old covenant giving way to the new covenant in Christ, whose cross and resurrection bring eternal fruitfulness.

Parallels in Scripture

Jeremiah 8:13 – “When I would gather them, says the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree.”
Hosea 9:10 – Israel compared to early figs that turned corrupt.
Micah 7:1 – “There is no cluster to eat; no early fig that my soul desires.”
John 15:2,6 – The unfruitful branches are cut off and burned.
Luke 13:6–9 – Parable of the barren fig tree, where the master seeks fruit and gives one last chance before cutting it down.

Each of these references highlights God’s consistent message: He desires fruitfulness in our lives, born of faith and love, not mere religious observance.

Key Terms

“Found nothing on it except leaves” – Symbol of outward show without inner life; a warning against hypocrisy.
“May no fruit ever come from you again” – Represents divine judgment on persistent unfaithfulness.
“Immediately the fig tree withered” – Indicates the suddenness of spiritual decay when one rejects God’s grace.

Catholic Liturgical Significance

This passage is often read during Holy Week, a time when the Church invites the faithful to repentance. Just as Jesus inspected the fig tree, He inspects our souls—seeking the fruits of prayer, charity, humility, and forgiveness. Lent and Holy Week serve as a spiritual pruning season, preparing us to renew our covenant with Christ through the sacraments.

The Church Fathers saw in the withering of the fig tree a foreshadowing of the end of the old covenant and the birth of the new covenant through Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. St. Bede writes: “The fig tree represents those who cling to the shadow of the law and reject the fruit of grace.”

Conclusion

Matthew 21:19 reminds us that faith cannot be superficial. The Lord looks for fruits—acts of mercy, love, and obedience. Empty rituals or professions of belief are like leaves without figs. The sudden withering of the tree urges us to live a sincere Christian life rooted in the sacraments and strengthened by charity. Jesus desires not mere admiration, but transformation.

Reflection

Does my life bear visible fruits of faith, or am I content with the appearance of holiness?
What areas of my soul are barren and need renewal through God’s grace?
How can I bring spiritual fruit to others—especially through acts of mercy and compassion?

Let us remember that Christ hungers for our conversion, not our perfection. He desires that our faith bloom through prayer, good works, and sincere love.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You sought fruit on the fig tree and found none. Search my heart and cleanse it from all emptiness and pride. Grant that my faith may not be barren, but alive in charity and humility. Help me to bear fruit that glorifies You and nourishes others. May Your grace flow through me, that I may never wither from Your love. Amen.

Matthew 21:20 “When the disciples saw this, they were amazed and said, ‘How was it that the fig tree withered immediately?’”

This verse captures the disciples’ astonishment at the sudden withering of the fig tree—a sign that revealed Jesus’ divine authority and the immediacy of God’s judgment. Their question was not just about the miracle itself but about the power behind it. In Catholic understanding, this moment becomes a teaching opportunity through which Jesus will soon explain the power of faith and prayer. The disciples’ amazement mirrors our own awe when we encounter God’s might revealed in unexpected ways.

Historical and Jewish Context

The Witnesses – The Disciples
The disciples had seen Jesus heal the sick, calm storms, and raise the dead. Yet, this act struck them differently—it was an act of judgment rather than mercy. In Jewish tradition, prophets often used symbolic actions to demonstrate divine truths (e.g., Jeremiah 19:1–11; Ezekiel 4:1–8). Jesus’ curse of the fig tree followed the prophetic pattern: a visible sign to teach a spiritual reality. The disciples’ reaction of amazement shows their growing awareness that Jesus’ authority extended over nature itself.
The Instant Withering
The “immediate” withering of the fig tree emphasized the total power of Christ’s word. In Jewish thought, the word of God is living and active, accomplishing what it declares (cf. Isaiah 55:11). Jesus, the Word made flesh (John 1:14), speaks with divine authority, and creation responds. This act demonstrates that spiritual death follows swiftly when one is separated from God’s life-giving grace—symbolized by the sudden decay of the tree.
A Lesson in Divine Power
For the disciples, the rapid withering was both a warning and an invitation. It warned of judgment for unfruitfulness but also revealed the immense power of faith. Soon after, Jesus will explain that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (v.21). Thus, the miracle becomes not a message of fear but of encouragement to believe and pray boldly.

Catholic Theological Perspective

The disciples’ amazement shows the gap between human understanding and divine reality. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
CCC 2610 – “Jesus is as saddened by the ‘lack of faith’ of his own neighbors and the ‘little faith’ of his own disciples as he is struck with admiration at the great faith of the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman.”

In this verse, Jesus uses the disciples’ wonder to deepen their faith. The withered tree becomes a lesson about the consequences of unbelief and the transformative power of faith-filled prayer. Jesus wants His disciples—and us—to understand that divine power operates through faith and obedience, not human reasoning.

Spiritually, the disciples’ question also reflects humanity’s struggle to comprehend God’s justice and mercy. The fig tree’s swift judgment reminds us that grace should not be presumed upon. God’s patience is great, but His justice is real. The miracle challenges the Church to live a fruitful faith that responds to grace with action.

Parallels in Scripture

Mark 11:20–21 – Peter specifically points out the withered tree, and Jesus responds by teaching about faith and prayer.
Luke 17:6 – “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”
Hebrews 11:1,6 – Defines faith as “the assurance of things hoped for,” and states that without faith it is impossible to please God.
John 15:6 – “Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers.”
Isaiah 55:11 – God’s word accomplishes what He desires—it never returns empty.

These passages together reveal that divine power is not limited by nature or circumstance, but is released through faith and alignment with God’s will.

Key Terms

“They were amazed” – A reaction common in the Gospels, showing the disciples’ growing awareness of Jesus’ divine nature.
“Withered immediately” – Expresses divine power acting beyond time; God’s word is effective and instantaneous.
“How was it…?” – A question of faith seeking understanding—what St. Augustine called fides quaerens intellectum (“faith seeking understanding”).

Catholic Liturgical Significance

This verse, and the event it describes, is often reflected upon in the Church’s Lenten and Holy Week liturgies. The amazement of the disciples mirrors the faithful’s contemplation of the mysteries of Christ’s Passion. The Church invites us to move from amazement to faith—from witnessing God’s power to trusting it fully in our lives.

In Eucharistic theology, the same divine word that withered the fig tree is the word that transforms bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood. Both reveal that the Word of God brings about real and immediate change.

Conclusion

Matthew 21:20 reminds us that amazement at God’s works should lead to deeper faith. The disciples’ question—“How?”—is not skepticism but an opening for Jesus to reveal that such power is available through faith-filled prayer. The verse invites believers to trust that God’s word is living and active, capable of transforming hearts and circumstances when received with faith.

Reflection

When I witness God’s work in my life, do I respond with amazement that leads to deeper trust?
Do I believe that the same power that withered the fig tree works through faith and prayer today?
How can I transform my “How?” into “Yes, Lord, I believe”?

Let us not remain mere observers of divine action, but active participants in the life of faith, allowing Christ’s power to work through us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You spoke, and the fig tree withered at Your command. Teach me to trust the power of Your word and to believe that all things are possible through faith. Increase my faith when I doubt, and open my eyes to see Your hand at work in every moment. May my amazement at Your works lead me to deeper love, obedience, and prayer. Amen.

Matthew 21:21 “Jesus said to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, if you have faith and do not waver, not only will you do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, “Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” it will be done.’”

This verse contains one of Jesus’ most striking teachings about the power of faith. It follows the disciples’ astonishment at the withered fig tree, turning their wonder into a lesson on trust in God. Jesus contrasts the lifelessness of the barren tree with the living power of faith that moves mountains. In Catholic interpretation, this passage reveals that faith is not mere belief—it is active confidence in God’s will, rooted in prayer, humility, and perseverance.

Historical and Jewish Context

Faith in Jewish Understanding
In Jewish tradition, faith (emunah) meant steadfast trust in God, demonstrated through obedience. It was not a vague optimism but a firm reliance on God’s fidelity. Figures like Abraham (Genesis 15:6) and Moses (Exodus 14:13) were revered for such faith, which led to miraculous outcomes. When Jesus told His disciples that they could move mountains, He used a familiar Jewish metaphor for overcoming immense obstacles through God’s power.
“This Mountain” – The Mount of Olives or Temple Mount
Jesus likely pointed to a specific mountain—the Mount of Olives, where they stood, or perhaps the Temple Mount across the valley. Both carried deep symbolism. The Mount of Olives was linked to messianic prophecy (Zechariah 14:4), while the Temple Mount represented the old religious order that had become spiritually barren. Thus, Jesus’ words implied that faith could overcome even the greatest spiritual or institutional barriers.
“Thrown into the Sea”
The sea often symbolized chaos, danger, and the realm of the unknown (cf. Genesis 1:2; Psalm 46:3). To cast a mountain into the sea was a bold image of divine authority transforming the impossible. For Jewish listeners, this metaphor expressed the kind of faith that triumphs over fear, disorder, and doubt—trusting God even when human understanding fails.

Catholic Theological Perspective

The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that faith is both a grace and a human response:
CCC 153 – “Faith is a grace… but believing is an authentically human act.”
CCC 2610 – “Faith in the Son introduces us into the knowledge of the Father; Jesus can act there because he finds faith.”

Jesus teaches that faith is powerful not because of human ability, but because it unites the believer with God’s power. The miracle of the withered fig tree shows the consequence of faithlessness; this verse, by contrast, reveals the fruitfulness of living faith.

In Catholic theology, moving mountains symbolizes overcoming sin, suffering, and spiritual obstacles through grace. Saints and mystics have witnessed this in their lives—St. Teresa of Ávila’s perseverance despite opposition, St. Padre Pio’s miracles through prayer, and countless faithful who changed history by trusting in God’s providence.

However, faith must be aligned with God’s will. The Church cautions against treating faith as magical thinking. As St. John writes: “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14). True faith seeks God’s glory, not personal power.

Parallels in Scripture

Mark 11:22–23 – Parallel passage emphasizing “Have faith in God.”
Matthew 17:20 – “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.”
James 1:6 – “Ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
Luke 17:6 – Faith uprooting the mulberry tree symbolizes victory over difficulty.
Hebrews 11:33–34 – Through faith, the saints “conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises.”

These verses collectively affirm that faith rooted in God’s will can achieve the humanly impossible.

Key Terms

“Amen, I say to you” – A solemn declaration, meaning “truly” or “so be it,” used by Jesus to affirm divine truth.
“If you have faith and do not waver” – Points to unwavering trust, a faith tested yet steadfast, echoing Abraham’s example (Romans 4:20).
“Say to this mountain” – Symbol of any insurmountable obstacle that can be overcome by divine grace through faith.

Catholic Liturgical Significance

The Church uses this verse in teachings and devotions that encourage perseverance in faith. It is often cited during novenas, Eucharistic adoration, and healing liturgies, reminding the faithful that prayer grounded in faith can bring about divine intervention.

This passage also echoes the Lenten call to spiritual renewal: to remove “mountains” of pride, sin, and despair that block our communion with God. Faith, nourished by the Eucharist and Reconciliation, transforms such obstacles into channels of grace.

Conclusion

Matthew 21:21 reveals the heart of Christian discipleship—faith that trusts in God’s limitless power. Jesus invites us to participate in His divine authority through faith and prayer. Mountains may symbolize the impossible, yet in Christ, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The true miracle is not the external change, but the transformation of our hearts that enables us to face life’s challenges with confident surrender to God’s will.

Reflection

What “mountains” in my life seem immovable—fear, resentment, or doubt?
Do I believe that with faith, God can transform what seems impossible?
How can I strengthen my faith through prayer, Scripture, and the sacraments?

Faith does not eliminate struggles; it empowers us to walk through them with trust. The mountain moves not by our command, but by our surrender to God’s power.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You taught that faith can move mountains. Increase my faith when I am weak, and help me to trust in Your power more than in my own strength. Remove from my heart all doubt and fear, and teach me to pray with confidence, always seeking Your holy will. May my faith bear fruit in patience, hope, and love, until every mountain of sin and sorrow gives way to Your peace. Amen.

Matthew 21:22 “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”

This verse concludes Jesus’ teaching following the withering of the fig tree, summarizing the essential power of prayer united with faith. After revealing the futility of fruitless religion, Jesus now unveils the fruitfulness of trusting prayer. It is both a promise and a challenge—a promise that faith-filled prayer bears results, and a challenge to pray in complete confidence in God’s will. For Catholics, this verse is one of the foundational teachings on Christian prayer, echoing the Church’s call to trust in God’s providence through persevering and obedient faith.

Historical and Jewish Context

The Jewish Practice of Prayer
Prayer was central to Jewish spiritual life. The faithful prayed three times a day (Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10), facing Jerusalem. Their prayers often included praise, thanksgiving, and petitions for mercy. However, by Jesus’ time, prayer had often become ritualistic rather than relational. Jesus restores its essence—personal communion with the Father grounded in faith. His words remind the disciples that prayer is not a performance but a living conversation between child and Father (cf. Matthew 6:6).
Faith and Covenant Relationship
In the Old Testament, answered prayer was linked to covenant fidelity. God heard Abraham because of his faith (Genesis 15:6), Moses because of his intercession (Exodus 32:11–14), and Hannah because of her perseverance (1 Samuel 1:10–20). Jesus now extends this covenant privilege to all believers. By faith, the disciples participate in the divine power that Jesus demonstrated through the withering of the fig tree and His miracles of healing and mercy.
“You Will Receive”
The certainty in Jesus’ words reflects the Jewish idiom of divine assurance. However, this promise is not a blank check—it presupposes alignment with God’s will. In Jewish tradition, prayer was heard when it harmonized with God’s righteousness (Psalm 37:4; Proverbs 15:29). Jesus reaffirms this, teaching that faith transforms human desires to correspond with divine purposes.

Catholic Theological Perspective

The Catechism of the Catholic Church beautifully expresses the theology behind this verse:

CCC 2611 – “The prayer of faith consists not only in saying ‘Lord, Lord,’ but in disposing the heart to do the will of the Father.”
CCC 2734 – “Filial trust is tested when we think we are not heard… Our faith is purified by this trial.”
CCC 2741 – “Jesus also prays for us and in our place. All our petitions are gathered up in his cry on the cross.”

Thus, prayer with faith is not about demanding but about trusting. God always answers prayer—but sometimes by giving what we need rather than what we ask. Jesus’ own prayer in Gethsemane (“Not my will but yours be done,” Luke 22:42) is the perfect model of faithful prayer.

Catholic theology teaches that for prayer to be effective, it must be:

Faithful – Trusting in God’s goodness and timing.
Persistent – Persevering even when answers seem delayed.
Aligned with God’s Will – Seeking what brings glory to God and salvation to souls.
Lived in Grace – Flowing from a heart reconciled with God (cf. Mark 11:25).

Parallels in Scripture

Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and it will be yours.”
John 14:13–14 – “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
John 15:7 – “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.”
1 John 5:14–15 – “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
James 5:15–16 – “The prayer of faith will save the sick man… The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.”

These passages collectively teach that the key to answered prayer is union with Christ and conformity to His will.

Key Terms

“Ask” (aiteite) – Implies continuous asking with humble persistence, not a single request.
“In prayer” – Refers to personal communion with God that includes adoration, repentance, thanksgiving, and petition.
“With faith” – Belief that God can and will act according to His wisdom, even when results differ from our expectations.
“You will receive” – A divine assurance that God always responds to genuine faith, though the answer may take the form of grace, strength, or peace rather than a material gift.

Catholic Liturgical Significance

This verse resonates deeply in the Church’s liturgical life. Every Mass embodies the union of prayer and faith—when the priest prays, “Through Him, with Him, and in Him,” the faithful unite their petitions with Christ’s perfect intercession.

In the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church continually prays in faith for the salvation of the world. Devotions such as the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, and Eucharistic Adoration are practical expressions of this verse, training the faithful to pray confidently, yet humbly, “Thy will be done.”

Saints such as St. Monica, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and St. Padre Pio lived this verse—trusting that prayer united with faith can move hearts, heal wounds, and change the world.

Conclusion

Matthew 21:22 is the crowning statement of Jesus’ teaching on the fig tree miracle: faith gives life to prayer. When our hearts are pure, our prayers rise like incense before God (Psalm 141:2). True faith does not manipulate God but cooperates with His will. Jesus assures us that when we pray in faith, our petitions never go unheard. The barren fig tree showed the emptiness of a life without faith; this verse shows the fruitfulness of a soul that trusts completely in the Father’s love.

Reflection

Do I pray with confidence that God hears me, even when I don’t see immediate results?
Is my prayer life motivated by faith or by fear and doubt?
How can I align my petitions more closely with God’s will so that my prayer bears fruit?

Faith transforms prayer from words into communion. When we pray with trust and love, our petitions unite with the will of God, and in that union, miracles happen—sometimes within us more than around us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, You have promised that whatever we ask in faith, we will receive. Teach us to pray with hearts full of trust, not seeking our own will, but Yours alone. Grant us perseverance in prayer, and help us to recognize Your answers even when they come in unexpected ways. May our faith bear fruit in love, and may our lives become a living prayer of praise to You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

CONCLUSION

The cursing of the fig tree (Mt 21:18–22) unmasks the danger of outward religion without inward conversion. Jesus’ hunger exposes God’s longing for a people who bear real fruit—repentance, mercy, justice, and love—rather than merely displaying leaves of pious appearance. The withered tree is a prophetic sign: when we resist grace, spiritual life dries up. Yet the same moment becomes a doorway of hope, because Jesus immediately teaches that faith-filled prayer participates in God’s power. In Him, obstacles that look like “mountains” can be moved when our petitions align with the Father’s will.

Practically, this passage calls us to examine conscience and act: reconcile with God in Confession, return to the Eucharist with devotion, repair relationships, serve the poor, and cultivate daily prayer that trusts rather than doubts (cf. Jas 2:17; Jn 15:5–8). Let our “leaves” (devotions, ministries, titles) be matched by “figs” (forgiveness offered, alms given, time shared, wrongs corrected). Then our prayer rises in faith and God answers in His wise timing (cf. 1 Jn 5:14–15; Mk 11:24).

PRAYER

Lord Jesus,
You seek the fruit of true faith in us. Uproot our hypocrisy, heal our barrenness, and teach us to pray with trusting hearts. May our lives bear the fruits of charity, justice, and mercy, so that our faith may move the mountains that hinder Your work in us. Amen.