Mark 11 25

Mark 11:25 kjv

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25 nkjv

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25 niv

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Mark 11:25 esv

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

Mark 11:25 nlt

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. "

Mark 11 verses

Mark 11 25 Meaning

Mark 11:25 states that whenever a believer stands to pray, they must forgive anyone against whom they hold a grievance. This action is presented as a prerequisite, enabling their Heavenly Father to, in turn, forgive them their own trespasses. It establishes a direct, reciprocal link between horizontal (human-to-human) forgiveness and vertical (God-to-human) forgiveness, emphasizing that a spirit of grace and mercy towards others is essential for receiving grace and mercy from God in prayer.

Mark 11 25 Context

Mark 11:25 is part of Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer, delivered shortly after His triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the cleansing of the Temple. Following the cursing of the barren fig tree, which withered overnight, Jesus uses this object lesson to teach His disciples about the power of faith (Mark 11:22-24). Immediately after speaking of prayer's potential to move mountains and receive requests, Jesus introduces the crucial qualification found in verse 25. This passage is Jesus' response to Peter noticing the withered fig tree. The cleansing of the Temple, just before this, underscored Jesus' zeal for the Temple to be a "house of prayer" (Mark 11:17). The Jewish practice of prayer often involved standing. This specific command thus grounds powerful prayer not merely in belief, but in right relationships, aligning with God's desire for reconciliation rather than empty ritual. It subtly critiques the self-righteousness or judgmental attitudes that might have characterized some religious leaders of the time.

Mark 11 25 Word analysis

• And whenever (καὶ ὅταν - kai hotan): Connects this command directly to the preceding discussion on prayer and faith. It implies a continuous, universal requirement, applying to any instance of prayer, not just certain circumstances.
• you stand praying (στέκητε προσευχόμενοι - stēkēte proseuchomenoi):
  • Stēkēte (stand): Common and revered posture for prayer in Jewish tradition (e.g., in the Temple or synagogue). It suggests a conscious, reverent engagement in direct communion with God.
  • Proseuchomenoi (praying): The act of communicating with God, seeking His will, presenting requests.
• forgive (ἀφίετε - aphiete): An imperative verb, present tense, implying a continual command to "release, send away, pardon, let go." It refers to pardoning others for their wrongs, much as a debt is cancelled. The same Greek root (ἀφίημι - aphiemi) is used for the forgiveness of sins by God. This indicates that human forgiveness should mirror divine forgiveness.
• if you have anything against anyone (εἴ τι ἔχετε κατά τινος - ei ti echete kata tinos):
  • Ei ti (if anything): Broad in scope, encompassing even minor grievances, grudges, or resentments. It is not limited to significant offenses but includes any unresolved hurt.
  • Echete kata (have against): Literally "to hold against" or "to possess a charge against." It points to a lingering negative sentiment or accusation.
  • Tinos (anyone): Universal, meaning any person, whether fellow believer or not, and regardless of the nature or severity of their perceived offense.
• so that (ἵνα - hina): A purpose clause. It explicitly states the reason or condition for divine forgiveness. Our forgiveness of others is a necessary prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness.
• your Father also (καὶ ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν - kai ho Patēr hymōn):
  • kai (also): Emphasizes reciprocity. God's action parallels and responds to human action.
  • ho Patēr hymōn (your Father): Highlights the relational aspect of God. He is a compassionate Father who desires fellowship with His children, but this relationship is affected by their posture toward others. The term "in heaven" emphasizes His transcendence and authority.
• may forgive you (ἀφῇ ὑμῖν - aphē hymin): Subjunctive mood, indicating potential outcome. It links divine forgiveness directly to the act of forgiving others. The verb form of aphiemi again shows the reciprocal nature of divine and human forgiveness.
• your trespasses (τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν - ta paraptōmata hymōn):
  • Paraptōmata: Literally "falling alongside" or "slipping aside." Refers to missteps, offenses, transgressions, or deviations from what is right. It covers the full spectrum of sins committed by an individual against God.
  • Hymōn (your): Signifies personal, individual sins.

Mark 11 25 Bonus section

This verse serves as an immediate, ethical qualification to the radical teaching on faith that moves mountains in Mark 11:23-24. It prevents a misinterpretation of divine power as detached from righteous character. God's mighty answers to prayer are not merely dispensed upon mechanical application of faith principles; they are rooted in the supplicant's heart alignment with God's own compassionate nature, particularly in the realm of interpersonal grace. Unforgiveness can be a 'root of bitterness' (Heb 12:15) that poisons not only relationships but also the wellspring of spiritual life and prayer. This command is a foundational aspect of Jesus' Kingdom ethics, reinforcing that our relationship with God is intrinsically linked to how we treat others, especially in matters of offenses and grievances.

Mark 11 25 Commentary

Mark 11:25 provides a profound and challenging ethical requirement for prayer. It declares that the efficacy of a believer's prayer for their own forgiveness from God is directly tied to their willingness to forgive others. This is not a transaction where human forgiveness earns divine forgiveness, but rather an unveiling of the heart's true condition. A heart unwilling to release others from their wrongs cannot fully apprehend or receive the depths of God's own liberating forgiveness.

Unforgiveness acts as a spiritual blockage, hindering genuine communion with God and preventing His grace from fully flowing into a person's life. Jesus' teaching here underscores that faith, while powerful, must be exercised within a context of righteous relationships. The spiritual posture of a person directly impacts their spiritual receptivity. It's a call to examine one's inner disposition before approaching the Almighty, ensuring no bitterness or resentment contaminates the spiritual "altar" of the heart. Practically, before or during prayer, one should actively identify and release any ill-will or grudges against others, thereby aligning their spirit with God's character of mercy and reconciliation.