Knowing The Word in Matthew 21:18-22

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

18 In the morning, as he was returning to the city, he became hungry. 19 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. [This is another acted out parable. What is its meaning?]

20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither at once?” [Do the disciples get the symbolism?] 21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. [Jesus is not starting a mountain-moving business but is saying that for and with God nothing is impossible.] 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” [Remember that in Matthew faith means a relationship of practical trust with the one to whom the prayer is offered.]