11:20–25 This passage completes the story of the barren fig tree begun in 11:12–14 and includes sayings on faith and prayer that appear at various points in the Synoptic Gospels but are grouped together here by Mark. In the Matthew 21:18–22 parallel to the fig tree story, the withering occurs at once, but Mark has spliced into the fig tree incident the condemnation of the temple in 11:15–19 to ensure that the two events should be considered together. In 11:12–14 the fig tree is “cursed” for its barren condition, and in verses 20–21 we have the result, the withering of the tree, which becomes the occasion for Jesus’ comments on the power of faith.

The first saying in verse 23 speaks of faith that could move a mountain and seems to be a version of a saying found elsewhere, in Matthew 17:20 …