15. But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were extremely displeased
16. and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?”Jesus said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and infantsYou have perfected praise’?”
17. And He left them and went out of the city into Bethany, and He lodged there.
18. Now in the morning as He returned to the city, He became hungry.
19. When He saw a fig tree by the road, He went to it but found nothing on it except leaves. He said to it, “Let no fruit ever grow on you again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
20. When the disciples saw it, they were amazed, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away instantly?”
21. Jesus answered them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also, if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed, and be thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.
22. And whatever you ask in prayer, if you believe, you will receive.”
23. When He entered the temple, the chief priests and the 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 also will ask you one question. If you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.
25. Where did the baptism of John come from? From heaven or from men?”They reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’
26. But if we say, ‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for all hold John as a prophet.”
27. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.”Then He said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.
28. “What do you think? A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’
29. “He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he repented and went.
30. “Then he came to the second, and said likewise. He answered, ‘I will go, sir,’ but did not go.
31. “Which of the two did the will of his father?”They said, “The first.”Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, the tax collectors and prostitutes enter the kingdom of God before you.
32. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward repent and believe him.