King James Version

What Does Matthew 17:20 Mean?

Matthew 17:20 in the King James Version says “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard se... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Matthew 17:20 · KJV


Context

18

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart , and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20

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.

21

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

22

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus' explanation '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' addresses the disciples' failure to cast out the demon (v. 16). The problem was 'unbelief,' not lack of ability. The mustard seed analogy emphasizes faith's quality, not quantity—even tiny genuine faith accomplishes impossible things. The mountain-moving metaphor represents seemingly impossible obstacles overcome by faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The disciples had previously cast out demons (10:1, 8), so their failure here confused them. Jesus diagnoses unbelief—perhaps presuming on past success rather than trusting God presently. The mustard seed, proverbially tiny, illustrates that even small genuine faith accesses infinite divine power. Mountain-moving was rabbinic imagery for overcoming great difficulties.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'mountains' in your life need mustard-seed faith to move?
  2. How does unbelief limit God's power working through you?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
1 of 32
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 32

And

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 32

Jesus

G2424

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

εἶπεν4 of 32

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

αὐτοῖς5 of 32

unto them

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

Διὰ6 of 32

Because

G1223

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

τὴν7 of 32
G3588

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

ἀπιστίαν8 of 32

unbelief

G570

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

ὑμῶν·9 of 32

of your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἀμὴν10 of 32

verily

G281

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

γὰρ11 of 32

for

G1063

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

λέγω12 of 32

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

ὑμῖν13 of 32

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἐὰν14 of 32

If

G1437

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

ἔχητε15 of 32

ye have

G2192

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

πίστιν16 of 32

faith

G4102

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

ὡς17 of 32

as

G5613

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

κόκκον18 of 32

a grain

G2848

a kernel of seed

σινάπεως19 of 32

of mustard seed

G4615

mustard (the plant)

ἐρεῖτε20 of 32

ye shall say

G2046

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

τῷ21 of 32
G3588

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

ὄρει22 of 32

mountain

G3735

a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain)

τούτῳ23 of 32

unto this

G5129

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

μεταβήσεται·24 of 32

Remove

G3327

to change place

ἔντεῦθεν25 of 32

hence

G1782

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

ἐκεῖ26 of 32

to yonder place

G1563

there; by extension, thither

καὶ27 of 32

and

G2532

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

μεταβήσεται·28 of 32

Remove

G3327

to change place

καὶ29 of 32

and

G2532

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

οὐδὲν30 of 32

nothing

G3762

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

ἀδυνατήσει31 of 32

shall be impossible

G101

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

ὑμῖν32 of 32

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 17:20 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 Matthew 17:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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