Explanation: By Tuesday morning (the third day of the Passion Week), the fig tree which Jesus cursed on the second day of the Passion Week (Monday) withered away, dried up from the roots. Jesus used this incident as an object lesson in praying in faith. He cautioned, however, that no prayer would be answered if the petitioner harbored an unforgiving spirit. But a prayer of faith coming from a pure heart could, Jesus said, wither a fig tree or move "this" mountain. He referred, possibly, to the Mount of Olives, across from Jerusalem - - Jerusalem also being on a mountain. These mountains are represented, imaginatively, in the picture above as angular, rugged, and substantial. The scene in the painting occurred on the fifth day of the Passion Week, but the picture is used at this point in the narritive to visually suggest the substantial effect faith can have on substantial obstacles; and this was the point of Jesus' lesson.

     ^{Mark 11:20} And [^{Matthew 21:19} presently] in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree [^{Matthew 21:19} withered away] dried up from the roots. ^{Mark 11:21} And Peter calling to remembrance said unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which you cursed is withered away. ^{Matthew 21:20} And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! ^{Mark 11:22} And Jesus answering said unto them, Have faith in God. ^{Mark 11:23} For verily I say unto you, [^{Matthew 21:21} If you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also] that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be you removed, and be you cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says. ^{Mark 11:24} Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. ^{Mark 11:25} And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. ^{Mark 11:26} But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

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