20 When the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree immediately wither away?"
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
And when the disciples saw it - That is, on the morning following that on which it was cursed, Mark 11:20.
They marveled, saying - Peter said this, Mark 11:21 Matthew means only to say that this was said to him; Mark tells us which one of them said it.
How soon is the fig tree withered away! - We often say to our neighbors, "How suddenly this man died! Who could have expected it so soon?" But who takes warning by these examples? What we say to-day of Others, may be said to-morrow of Ourselves. Be ye also ready! Lord, increase our faith!
And when the disciples saw it,.... The next day in the morning, as Mark says: they had, heard what Christ had said to it the day before, as the same evangelist observes; but did not take notice of the immediate withering of the tree; but the next morning, as they returned from Bethany, they saw it dried up from the roots:
they marvelled; not that Christ should curse it, but that it should wither away so soon, and upon his saying what he did; which was a considerable instance of his power and Godhead, all creatures, animate and inanimate, being at his command and disposal:
saying, how soon is the fig tree withered away? This was said by Peter, in the name of the rest, who recollecting what Jesus had said to it the day before, and observing how the event had answered his words so soon, addressed Christ after this manner: "master, behold the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away"; expressing his wonder at it, and ascribing, it to the power of Christ; of which this was an amazing proof and evidence.
The disciples seeing it - As they went by, the next day.
*More commentary available at chapter level.