18. Early in the morning, Jesus was on his way back to Jerusalem. He was hungry.
19. He saw a fig tree by the road. He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Right away the tree dried up.
20. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.
21. Jesus replied, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You must have faith and not doubt. Then you can do what was done to the fig tree. And you can say to this mountain, 'Go and throw yourself into the sea.' It will be done.
22. If you believe, you will receive what you ask for when you pray."
23. Jesus entered the temple courtyard. While he was teaching there, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. "By what authority are you doing these things?" they asked. "Who gave you this authority?"
24. Jesus replied, "I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things.
25. Where did John's baptism come from? Was it from heaven? Or did it come from men?" They talked to each other about it. They said, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will ask, 'Then why didn't you believe him?'
26. But what if we say, 'From men'? We are afraid of the people. Everyone believes that John was a prophet."