Mark 11:23
in Mark 11“Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.
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.
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This verse in Mark 11
Commentary
20 notes on this verseThis Gnostic, to speak compendiously, makes up for the absence of the apostles, by the rectitude of his life, the accuracy of his knowledge, by benefiting his relations, by "removing the mountains" of his neighbours, and putting away the irregularities of their soul. Although each of us is his own vineyard and labourer.
This site's exposition
Have faith in God
on Mark 11:22-23
Have faith in God answers Peter's surprise, and the faith He names has God for its object. A mountain lifted up and thrown into the sea was a proverb for an obstacle that looks fixed.
This site's exposition
if anyone says to this mountain
Chrysostom reads the saying as he reads the withered fig tree, as a sign of the power of God. He holds that such a thing is possible with God. Matthew Henry applies it to the faith in God that believers hold in the heart.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers5 voices
Now if a gift is not God's gift, because it is wrought by us, or because we act by His gift, then it is not a work of God that "a mountain should be removed into the sea," inasmuch as, according to the Lord's statement, it is by the faith of men that this is possible. Moreover, He attributes the deed to their actual operation: "If ye have faith in yourselves as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and it shall be done, and nothing shall be impossible to you." Observe how He said "to you," not "to Me" or "to the Father;" and yet it is certain that no man does such a thing without God's gift and operation. See how an instance of perfect righteousness is unexampled among men, and yet is not impossible. For it might be achieved if there were only applied so much of will as suffices for so great a thing.
While we are praying, there should be no hesitation that would intervene or break down the confidence of our petition by any shadow of despair. We know that by pouring forth our prayer we are obtaining already what we are asking for. We have no doubt that our prayers have effectually reached God. For to that degree that one believes that he is regarded by God, and that God can grant it, just so far will one be heard and obtain an answer.
(non occ.) The wonder of the disciples was the consequence of imperfect faith, for this was no great thing for God to do; since then they did not clearly know His power, their ignorance made them break out into wonder; and therefore it is added, And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, &c. That is; Thou shalt not only be able to dry up a tree, but also to change a mountain by thy command and order.
A commentator
John ChrysostomON THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE NATURE OF GOD 5.44, 46, 57, 58 · Written before 407.
proposed
Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure undiminished, a mine never exhausted, a sky unobstructed by clouds, a haven unruffled by storm. It is the root, the fountain, and the mother of a thousand blessings. It exceeds a monarch's power.… I speak not of the prayer which is cold and feeble and devoid of zeal. I speak of that which proceeds from a mind outstretched, the child of a contrite spirit, the offspring of a soul converted—this is the prayer which mounts to heaven.… The power of prayer has subdued the strength of fire, bridled the rage of lions, silenced anarchy, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst the chains of death, enlarged the gates of heaven, relieved diseases, averted frauds, rescued cities from destruction, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the progress of the thunderbolt. In sum, prayer has power to destroy whatever is at enmity with the good. I speak not of the prayer of the lips, but of the prayer that ascends from the inmost recesses of the heart.
(non occ.) Or else, as He did not dry up the fig tree for its own sake, but for a sign that Jerusalem should come to destruction, in order to show His power, in the same way we must also understand the promise concerning the mountain, though a removal of this sort is not impossible with God.
12 more voices on this verse
The Medieval Church4 voices
Consider the Divine mercy, how it confers on us, if we approach Him in faith, the power of miracles, which He Himself possesses by nature, so that we should be able even to change mountains.
(ubi sup.) Or else, because the devil is often on account of his pride called by the name of a mountain, this mountain, at the command of those who are strong in the faith, is taken up from the earth and cast into the sea, whenever, at the preaching of the word of God by the holy doctors, the unclean spirit is expelled from the hearts of those who are fore-ordained to life, and is allowed to exert the tyranny of his power over the troubled and embittered souls of the faithless. At which time, he rages the more fiercely, the more he grieves at being turned away from hurting the faithful. It goes on: Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Christ then who is the mountain, which grew from the stone, cut out without hands, is taken up and cast into the sea, when the Apostles with justice say, Let us turn ourselves to other nations, since ye judged yourselves unworthy of hearing the word of God. (Acts 13:46)
Notice, then, how Christ here appears as God. For through the prophets the Lord says: "I dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish" (Ezek. 17:24). But marvel at God's love for mankind in that even to us, who become like God …
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
The apostles speak of a faith which would do that, and yet might be found where holy love was not, 1 Cor. xiii. 2 . [2.] It may be applied to that miracle of faith, which all true Christians are endued with, which doeth wonders in things spiritual.
For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed . . . he shall have whatsoever he saith--Here is the lesson now.
quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — scripture-overlap:89%@v21-23
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1857)
proposed
Let us learn from these words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the immense importance of faith. This is a lesson which our Lord teaches first by a proverbial saying. Faith shall enable a man to accomplish works, and overcome difficulties, as great and formidable as the "removing of a mountain, and casting it into the sea." Afterwards the lesson is impressed upon us still further, by a general exhortation to exercise faith when we pray. "Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them."
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1857)
proposed
Let us learn from these words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the immense importance of faith. This is a lesson which our Lord teaches first by a proverbial saying. Faith shall enable a man to accomplish works, and overcome difficulties, as great and formidable as the "removing of a mountain, and casting it into the sea." Afterwards the lesson is impressed upon us still further, by a general exhortation to exercise faith when we pray. "Whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them." This promise must of course be taken with a reasonable qualification. It assumes that a believer will ask things which are not sinful, and which are in accordance with the will of God. When He asks such things, he may confidently believe that his prayer will be answered. To use the words of James, "Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." (James 1:6.) The faith here commended must be distinguished from that faith which is essential to justification. In principle undoubtedly all true faith is one and the same. It is always trust or belief. But in the object and operations of faith, there are diversities, which it is useful to understand. Justifying faith is that act of the soul by which a man lays hold on Christ, and has peace with God. Its special object is the atonement for sin which Jesus made on the cross. The faith spoken of in the passage now before us is a grace of more general signification, the fruit and companion of justifying faith, but still not to be confounded with it. It is rather a general confidence in God's power, wisdom, and goodwill towards believers. And its special objects are the promises, the word, and the character of God in Christ. Confidence in God's power and will to help every believer in Christ, and in the truth of every word that God has spoken, is the grand secret of success and prosperity in our religion.
Modern Voices3 voices
A commentator
Smith Wigglesworth1859–1947
Ever Increasing Faith, Chapter 1: "Have Faith in God" (1924)
There is one special phrase to which I want to call to your attention, and shall not doubt in his heart. The heart is the main spring.
A commentator
Charles Capps1934–2014
Fear Is Faith in Reverse (Capps Ministries Monthly Teaching) · Written before 2014.
proposed
Your faith-filled words give God the authority to move on your situation in life.
Instead of looking at books and pictures about the New Testament I looked at the New Testament. There I found an account, not in the least of a person with his hair parted in the middle or his hands clasped in appeal, but of an …
The words behind it
31 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ἀμὴν | amen | Amen | G281 → | 127 times |
| λέγω | lego | I say | G3004 → | 1325 times |
| ὑμῖν | humin | to you | G4771 → | 2973 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | that | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ὃς | hos | who[ever] | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| ἂν | an | maybe | G302 → | 165 times |
| εἴπῃ | eipe | may say | G2036 → | 925 times |
| τῷ | to | to the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὄρει | orei | mountain | G3735 → | 62 times |
| τούτῳ· | touto | this; | G3778 → | 1381 times |
| ἄρθητι | artheti | do be taken away | G142 → | 100 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| βλήθητι | bletheti | do be cast | G906 → | 121 times |
| εἰς | eis | into | G1519 → | 1755 times |
| τὴν | ten | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| θάλασσαν, | thalassan | sea,’ | G2281 → | 90 times |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| μὴ | me | not | G3361 → | 1066 times |
| διακριθῇ | diakrithea | may doubt | G1252 → | |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| καρδίᾳ | kardia | heart | G2588 → | 156 times |
| αὐτοῦ | autou | of him | G846 → | 5565 times |
| ἀλλὰ | alla | but | G235 → | 635 times |
| πιστεύῃ | pisteue | may believe | G4100 → | 237 times |
| ὅτι | hoti | that | G3754 → | 1292 times |
| ὃ | ho | what | G3739 → | 1405 times |
| λαλεῖ | lalei | he says | G2980 → | 294 times |
| γίνεται, | ginetai | takes place, | G1096 → | 667 times |
| ἔσται | estai | it will be done | G1510 → | 2333 times |
| αὐτῷ | auto | for him | G846 → | 5565 times |
ἀμὴνAmen
amenG281 →127 times
λέγωI say
legoG3004 →1325 times
ὑμῖνto you
huminG4771 →2973 times
ὅτιthat
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ὃςwho[ever]
hosG3739 →1405 times
ἂνmaybe
anG302 →165 times
εἴπῃmay say
eipeG2036 →925 times
τῷto the
toG3588 →19766 times
ὄρειmountain
oreiG3735 →62 times
τούτῳ·this;
toutoG3778 →1381 times
ἄρθητιdo be taken away
arthetiG142 →100 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
βλήθητιdo be cast
blethetiG906 →121 times
εἰςinto
eisG1519 →1755 times
τὴνthe
tenG3588 →19766 times
θάλασσαν,sea,’
thalassanG2281 →90 times
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
μὴnot
meG3361 →1066 times
διακριθῇmay doubt
diakritheaG1252 →
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
καρδίᾳheart
kardiaG2588 →156 times
αὐτοῦof him
autouG846 →5565 times
ἀλλὰbut
allaG235 →635 times
πιστεύῃmay believe
pisteueG4100 →237 times
ὅτιthat
hotiG3754 →1292 times
ὃwhat
hoG3739 →1405 times
λαλεῖhe says
laleiG2980 →294 times
γίνεται,takes place,
ginetaiG1096 →667 times
ἔσταιit will be done
estaiG1510 →2333 times
αὐτῷfor him
autoG846 →5565 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Psalms 37:4Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
it leads to
- John 15:7
If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- John 15:16
You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Psalms 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.
- Isaiah 58:14
then you will delight yourself in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your father Jacob.” For the mouth of…
- 1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
- John 15:7
Through
John 15:7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
it leads to
- 1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Psalms 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
- John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
- 1 John 5:14
Where this verse is studied
About Mark
This page draws on 18 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Gospels; Augustine of Hippo, ON THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER 63; Bede, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Charles Capps, Fear Is Faith in Reverse (Capps Ministries Monthly Teaching); Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 7; GK Chesterton, Orthodoxy, Ch. 9: Authority and the Adventurer (1908); J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Cassian, CONFERENCES 1.9.32; John Chrysostom, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; John Chrysostom, ON THE INCOMPREHENSIBLE NATURE OF GOD 5.44, 46, 57, 58; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Pseudo-Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Smith Wigglesworth, Ever Increasing Faith, Chapter 1: "Have Faith in God"; Theophylact of Ohrid, Catena Aurea by Aquinas and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Mark.