King James Version

What Does Mark 11:23 Mean?

Mark 11:23 in the King James Version says “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

21

And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.

22

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. Have: or, Have the faith of God

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.

24

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

25

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' teaching about mountain-moving faith balance confidence in God's power with submission to God's will?
  2. What's the difference between biblical faith that trusts God versus 'prosperity gospel' that treats faith as technique to get what we want?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 35 words
ἀμὴν1 of 35

verily

G281

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

γὰρ2 of 35

For

G1063

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

λέγεῖ3 of 35

I say

G3004

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

ὑμῖν4 of 35

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ὅτι5 of 35

That

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

6 of 35

those things which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἂν7 of 35
G302

whatsoever

εἴπῃ8 of 35

he saith

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τῷ9 of 35
G3588

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

ὄρει10 of 35

mountain

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

τούτῳ11 of 35

unto this

G5129

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

Ἄρθητι12 of 35

Be thou removed

G142

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

καὶ13 of 35

and

G2532

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

βλήθητι14 of 35

be thou cast

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

εἰς15 of 35

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὴν16 of 35
G3588

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

θάλασσαν17 of 35

the sea

G2281

the sea (genitive case or specially)

καὶ18 of 35

and

G2532

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

μὴ19 of 35

not

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

διακριθῇ20 of 35

doubt

G1252

to separate thoroughly, i.e., (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively, to discriminate (by implication,

ἐν21 of 35

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ22 of 35
G3588

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

καρδίᾳ23 of 35

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτῷ24 of 35

he

G846

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

ἀλλὰ25 of 35

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

πιστεύσῃ26 of 35

shall believe

G4100

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

ὅτι27 of 35

That

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

28 of 35

those things which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

λέγεῖ29 of 35

I say

G3004

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

γίνεται30 of 35

shall come to pass

G1096

to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)

ἔσται31 of 35

shall have

G2071

will be

αὐτῷ32 of 35

he

G846

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

33 of 35

those things which

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐὰν34 of 35
G1437

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

εἴπῃ35 of 35

he saith

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 11:23 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 11:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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