18 Now early in the morning, as he returned to the city, he was hungry.
19 After noticing a fig tree by the road he went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, “Never again will there be fruit from you!” And the fig tree withered at once.
20 When the disciples saw it they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”
21 Jesus answered them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
22 And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.”
23 Now after Jesus entered the temple courts, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?”
24 Jesus answered them, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me then I will also tell you by what authority I do these things.