Matthew 17:20

Authorized King James Version

And 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

ὁ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ

G1161

And

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς

G2424

Jesus

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

εἶπεν

G2036

said

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς

G846

unto them

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

Διὰ

G1223

Because

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τὴν

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀπιστίαν

G570

unbelief

faithlessness, i.e., (negatively) disbelief (lack of christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience)

ὑμῶν·

G5216

of your

of (from or concerning) you

#10

ἀμὴν

G281

verily

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

#11

γὰρ

G1063

for

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

#12

λέγω

G3004

I say

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

#13

ὑμῖν

G5213

unto you

to (with or by) you

#14

ἐὰν

G1437

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

#15

ἔχητε

G2192

ye have

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

#16

πίστιν

G4102

faith

persuasion, i.e., credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of god or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon christ

#17

ὡς

G5613

which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

#18

κόκκον

G2848

a grain

a kernel of seed

#19

σινάπεως

G4615

of mustard seed

mustard (the plant)

#20

ἐρεῖτε

G2046

ye shall say

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

#21

τῷ

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

#22

ὄρει

G3735

mountain

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

#23

τούτῳ

G5129

unto this

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

#24

μεταβήσεται·

G3327

Remove

to change place

#25

ἔντεῦθεν

G1782

hence

hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides

#26

ἐκεῖ

G1563

to yonder place

there; by extension, thither

#27

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#28

μεταβήσεται·

G3327

Remove

to change place

#29

καὶ

G2532

and

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

#30

οὐδὲν

G3762

nothing

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

#31

ἀδυνατήσει

G101

shall be impossible

to be unable, i.e., (passively) impossible

#32

ὑμῖν

G5213

unto you

to (with or by) you

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing faith central to epistemology and the means by which humans receive divine revelation and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within Roman imperial rule over Jewish Palestine with messianic expectations. The author writes to address Jewish Christians seeking to understand Jesus as Messiah, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Matthew chapter 17 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Matthew 17:20

Analysis

Historical Context

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Topics

People

Study Resources