Mark 11:23
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀμὴν
verily
G281
ἀμὴν
verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
1 of 35
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 35
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
λέγεῖ
I say
G3004
λέγεῖ
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
5 of 35
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὃ
those things which
G3739
ὃ
those things which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
6 of 35
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἄρθητι
Be thou removed
G142
Ἄρθητι
Be thou removed
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
12 of 35
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
βλήθητι
be thou cast
G906
βλήθητι
be thou cast
Strong's:
G906
Word #:
14 of 35
to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 35
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
19 of 35
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
διακριθῇ
doubt
G1252
διακριθῇ
doubt
Strong's:
G1252
Word #:
20 of 35
to separate thoroughly, i.e., (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication,
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
23 of 35
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτῷ
he
G846
αὐτῷ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 35
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
25 of 35
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
πιστεύσῃ
shall believe
G4100
πιστεύσῃ
shall believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
26 of 35
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
27 of 35
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ὃ
those things which
G3739
ὃ
those things which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
28 of 35
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
λέγεῖ
I say
G3004
λέγεῖ
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
29 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
γίνεται
shall come to pass
G1096
γίνεται
shall come to pass
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
30 of 35
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
αὐτῷ
he
G846
αὐτῷ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
32 of 35
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὃ
those things which
G3739
ὃ
those things which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
33 of 35
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Cross References
Matthew 17:20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.John 15:7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.Matthew 21:21Jesus 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 also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.Psalms 37:4Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.John 14:13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.Luke 17:6And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.1 Corinthians 13:2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Historical Context
Jesus had just cursed a fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21), which withered—disciples marveled. Jesus explained this demonstrated faith's power. 'Mountains' in Jewish idiom represented great difficulties or obstacles. Zechariah 4:7 prophesied: 'Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.' Rabbis spoke of 'mountain-removers'—teachers who overcame great difficulties. Jesus literalized the metaphor to teach faith's potential. Early church experienced miracle power through faith—healings, exorcisms, resurrections (Acts). Yet not all prayers were answered as desired (Paul's thorn, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9), showing that faith operates within God's sovereign will. 'Prosperity gospel' misuses this verse, treating faith as technique to manipulate God. True faith trusts God's wisdom when mountains remain.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' teaching about mountain-moving faith balance confidence in God's power with submission to God's will?
- What's the difference between biblical faith that trusts God versus 'prosperity gospel' that treats faith as technique to get what we want?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus taught about faith: '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' (ὃς ἂν εἴπῃ τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, Ἄρθητι καὶ βλήθητι εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν, καὶ μὴ διακριθῇ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἀλλὰ πιστεύσῃ ὅτι ἃ λέγει γίνεται, ἔσται αὐτῷ ὃ ἐὰν εἴπῃ). This is hyperbolic language about faith's power. The 'mountain' likely refers to Mount of Olives where they stood, or metaphorically to obstacles. Faith without doubt (mē diakrithē, μὴ διακριθῇ, not wavering) accomplishes the impossible. The condition 'shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass' requires confidence in God's power and alignment with God's will. This isn't blank-check promise—faith operates within God's purposes. Mountain-moving faith isn't coercing God but trusting His promises. James 1:6 warns against doubting; Matthew 17:20 similarly promises mustard-seed faith moves mountains. Faith believes God's word and acts accordingly.