King James Version

What Does Mark 11:24 Mean?

Mark 11:24 in the King James Version says “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have th...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Mark 11:24 · KJV

PrayerFaith

Context

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.

26

But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus teaches the relationship between faith and answered prayer with a striking present-tense affirmation. The Greek pisteusate hoti elabete (πιστεύσατε ὅτι ἐλάβετε, "believe that you received") uses the aorist tense, indicating completed action—believers should have such confidence in God's promise that they count the answer as already given before seeing results. This isn't presumption or positive thinking but faith in God's character and promises. The phrase hosa an proseuchomenoi aiteisthe (ὅσα ἂν προσευχόμενοι αἰτεῖσθε, "whatsoever you desire when you pray") must be understood within biblical limits: prayers according to God's will (1 John 5:14-15), offered in faith, for God's glory, not selfish desires (James 4:3). Reformed theology emphasizes that God sovereignly determines outcomes, yet commands us to pray with bold confidence, knowing He hears and will answer according to His perfect wisdom—sometimes granting requests, sometimes denying for greater good, but always responding to His children's prayers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This teaching followed Jesus' cursing of the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-21), which withered overnight—a prophetic sign of God's judgment on fruitless Israel (specifically the Temple establishment Jesus had just cleansed). The disciples marveled at the fig tree's withering, and Jesus used the occasion to teach about faith's power in prayer. This occurred during Passion Week in Jerusalem, days before Jesus' crucifixion. The early church faced severe testing—persecution, imprisonment, martyrdom—requiring extraordinary faith to continue praying when circumstances seemed hopeless. This promise sustained believers who prayed for deliverance, boldness, healing, and gospel advance, trusting God to answer according to His sovereign purposes. The book of Acts records numerous dramatic answers to prayer (Peter's release from prison, Paul's protection, spread of the gospel), demonstrating that the early church took this promise seriously and experienced its reality.

Reflection Questions

  1. What prevents you from praying with the bold confidence Jesus describes—doubt about God's power, His willingness, or His wisdom in answering?
  2. How does the command to believe you've received before seeing results challenge the way you currently approach prayer?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
διὰ1 of 15

“Therefore”

G1223

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

τοῦτο2 of 15
G5124

that thing

λέγω3 of 15

“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 15

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

πάντα5 of 15

“things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὅσα6 of 15

“What”

G3745

as (much, great, long, etc.) as

ἄν7 of 15

“soever”

G302

whatsoever

προσεύχομενοι8 of 15

“when ye pray”

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

αἰτεῖσθε9 of 15

“ye desire”

G154

to ask (in genitive case)

πιστεύετε10 of 15

“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

ὅτι11 of 15

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

λαμβάνετέ12 of 15

“ye receive”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

καὶ13 of 15

“them and”

G2532

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

ἔσται14 of 15

“shall have”

G2071

will be

ὑμῖν15 of 15

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

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 11:24 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 11:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 21:221 John 5:14-151 John 3:22James 1:5-6Matthew 18:19John 15:7

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