And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Discussion:
This verse is not discussed in Swedenborg directly, but we can look at context and the meanings of key words. Based on that:
The disciples represents those who are in love and knowledge from the Lord; "to see" represents understanding the truth; and "marveling" represents the awe we feel when we see the Lord’s power at work. We can surmise, then, that this verse shows what the true believers felt when they saw that Judaism -- which had been the Lord's connection with humanity for presumably thousands of years -- would actually wither away in an instant because of its emptiness, to be replaced by the early Christian church.
Verse 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.
Verse 18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.
Verse 19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
Verse 20 And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away!
Verse 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Verse 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.