Mark 11 23

Mark 11:23 kjv

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Mark 11:23 nkjv

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

Mark 11:23 niv

"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

Mark 11:23 esv

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.

Mark 11:23 nlt

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 23 Meaning

Mark 11:23 declares the extraordinary power of unwavering faith in prayer. Jesus teaches that whoever addresses an insurmountable obstacle (figuratively a mountain) with conviction and no internal doubt, believing that their words will come to pass, will see it accomplished. This verse reveals God's willingness to respond to bold faith, empowering believers to overcome seemingly impossible challenges.

Mark 11 23 Context

Mark 11:23 immediately follows Jesus' pronouncement upon the fig tree, which withered from its roots (Mk 11:20-21). This miracle and teaching occur shortly after Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and the cleansing of the Temple (Mk 11:15-19). When the disciples express amazement at the fig tree's immediate withering, Jesus responds with this instruction on faith and prayer. The fig tree symbolizes barrenness and judgment, perhaps of Israel or the Temple. Jesus' teaching about "moving mountains" then shifts the focus to the disciple's own capacity, through God, to overcome any obstacle, rather than simply God's judgment. It emphasizes the direct link between faith, spoken word, and miraculous action, contrasted with the external shows of religiosity he encountered at the Temple. Historically, the audience would have understood mountains as unmovable, monumental symbols of great challenges or even the Sanhedrin/Temple establishment itself.

Mark 11 23 Word analysis

• "Truly" (Amen - ἀμὴν): A Hebrew affirmation, carried directly into Greek. It signifies profound truth, absolute certainty, and the divine authority with which Jesus speaks. It draws attention to a critical statement that follows, emphasizing its reliability.
• "I say to you": An emphatic phrase indicating Jesus' own authority, speaking directly from God. It highlights that this teaching comes with divine backing, not as mere human philosophy.
• "Whoever" (Hos an - ὃς ἂν): Implies universality. This promise is for any person who meets the stated conditions, regardless of status or background, indicating the accessibility of God's power through faith.
• "says to this mountain" (tō orei toutō - τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ):
  • "mountain" (oros - ὄρος): This is hyperbole, a figure of speech used by Jesus and common in Semitic thought. It symbolizes a massive, immovable, and seemingly impossible obstacle or difficulty. It could represent specific life challenges, spiritual strongholds, or institutional opposition, like the corrupt Temple system Jesus had just confronted. It does not imply literally relocating geographical features.
  • "this": Points to something present or understood in the context, potentially linking it to the obstacle represented by the withered fig tree or the resistance Jesus faced in Jerusalem.
• "Be taken up and thrown into the sea" (Arthēti kai blēthēti eis tēn thalassan - Ἄρθητι καὶ βλήθητι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν):
  • Commands given to the "mountain," emphasizing direct, declarative speech.
  • Signifies complete and utter removal or annihilation of the obstacle. "Into the sea" often represented a place of finality, separation, or destruction in ancient Jewish thought.
• "and does not doubt in his heart" (kai mē diakrithē en tē kardia autou - καὶ μὴ διακριθῇ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ):
  • "does not doubt" (mē diakrithē): Lit., "does not waver," "does not make a distinction," or "does not argue with oneself." It implies an undivided mind and spirit, free from hesitation or inner conflict regarding the truth of what is being spoken.
  • "in his heart" (en tē kardia autou): The "heart" (kardia) in biblical terms is not just the seat of emotions but the center of one's entire being – intellect, will, thoughts, and emotions. It means the doubt must not reside in one's innermost conviction. It is a state of settled assurance.
• "but believes" (allā pisteuē - ἀλλὰ πιστεύῃ): A positive, active counterpart to not doubting. It implies full, trustful reliance and conviction that God will act. This is faith in God's power and faithfulness.
• "that what he says will come to pass" (hoti ho lalei genetai - ὅτι ὃ λαλεῖ γίνεται):
  • "what he says": The object of belief is not just God's power, but specifically that the spoken command or prayer will materialize.
  • "will come to pass" (genetai): Confident expectation of the event occurring. This highlights the power released through verbalized faith, not merely internal thought.
• "it will be done for him" (estai autō - ἔσται αὐτῷ): The direct, guaranteed outcome. The promise of divine intervention and fulfillment for the one who exercises this unwavering faith. It points to God's response to such belief.

Mark 11 23 Bonus section

The "mountain" Jesus speaks of has been interpreted both figuratively and literally across various theological traditions. While not a literal instruction for earth-moving, it vividly conveys overcoming immense challenges. Some scholars suggest it could metaphorically refer to the Herodian Temple or the powerful religious authorities (Sanhedrin) in Jerusalem, which Jesus confronted. Thus, the statement could be seen as an assurance to the disciples that the obstacles represented by the present corrupted religious system would be removed. True faith empowers believers not to move literal geological formations, but to address spiritual and life's formidable difficulties with God-given authority and witness their dissolution. The prerequisite of a "heart" free of doubt underscores that a wavering will or double-mindedness acts as a significant barrier to the release of God's power through prayer.

Mark 11 23 Commentary

Mark 11:23 stands as a profound declaration by Jesus on the potent intersection of faith, prayer, and divine power. Following the withered fig tree, Jesus highlights that genuine, unwavering faith, free from internal doubt, can overcome the greatest obstacles, metaphorically represented as mountains. This is not a blanket promise for whatever a person desires, but rather faith rooted in God's character and aligning with His will. The "heart" signifies total internal conviction—not merely intellectual assent. This verse urges believers to trust God completely when they pray, knowing that His power can effect what humanly seems impossible. It also implicitly underscores the authority given to believers in Christ, by which they can address challenges directly and expect God to confirm their faith with miraculous intervention, provided it is aligned with His purpose and glory.