Matthew 17:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

have trust as tiny as a mustard seed, you will be able to say to this mountain, `Move from here to there!' and it will move; indeed, nothing will be impossible for you!"

Berean Standard Bible:

“Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

American Standard Version:

And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: 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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} Jesus^{G2424} said^{G2036} unto them^{G846}, Because^{G1223} of your^{G5216} unbelief^{G570}: for^{G1063} verily^{G281} I say^{G3004} unto you^{G5213}, If^{G1437} ye have^{G2192} faith^{G4102} as^{G5613} a grain^{G2848} of mustard seed^{G4615}, ye shall say^{G2046} unto this^{G5129} mountain^{G3735}, Remove^{G3327} hence^{G1782} to yonder place^{G1563}; and^{G2532} it shall remove^{G3327}; and^{G2532} nothing^{G3762} shall be impossible^{G101} unto you^{G5213}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Luke 17:6

And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Mark 11:23

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.

Luke 18:27

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Luke 1:37

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this [which is done] to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Mark 9:23

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth.

1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

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Commentary for Matthew 17:20

Matthew 17:20 is part of the narrative where Jesus and His disciples are confronted with a boy who is suffering from seizures and convulsions, which the disciples are unable to heal. After Jesus successfully heals the boy, the disciples ask Him why they could not cast out the demon. Jesus responds with the verse in question, highlighting the power of faith.

The historical context of this verse is set within the ministry of Jesus in Galilee, where He is teaching and preparing His disciples for their future mission. The themes present in this verse are profound:

1. **Faith and Belief**: Jesus emphasizes that even a small amount of faith, likened to a mustard seed which is tiny but can grow into a large tree, can yield extraordinary results. The mustard seed was proverbial for its small size, yet when fully grown, it becomes a tree that can provide shelter, representing the potential of even the smallest faith.

2. **Miracles and Power**: The ability to command a mountain to move reflects the belief in the supernatural power available to those who have true faith. This is a hyperbolic statement intended to illustrate that with God, what seems impossible to human limitations can be made possible.

3. **The Role of Doubt**: By stating "Because of your unbelief," Jesus points out that the disciples' inability to heal the boy is due to their lack of faith. This serves as a rebuke and a lesson that doubt can hinder the works that God has called them to do.

4. **Teaching and Discipleship**: This interaction is part of Jesus' teaching to His disciples, preparing them for the challenges they will face after His ascension. It underscores the importance of faith in their mission to spread the Gospel and perform miracles in His name.

In summary, Matthew 17:20 is a powerful declaration by Jesus about the potency of faith, even in its most nascent form. It serves as both a challenge and an encouragement to His disciples, and by extension to all believers, to trust in God's power and to understand that faith can overcome what appears to be insurmountable obstacles. This verse has been a source of inspiration and comfort for Christians throughout history, encouraging them to have unwavering trust in God's ability to work through them.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
Strong's Number: G2036
There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔπω
Transliteration: épō
Pronunciation: ep'-o
Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G1223
There are 580 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διά
Transliteration: diá
Pronunciation: dee-ah'
Description: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) … fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.
Strong's Number: G5216
There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμῶν
Transliteration: hymōn
Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
Strong's Number: G570
There are 1095 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπιστία
Transliteration: apistía
Pronunciation: ap-is-tee'-ah
Description: from ἄπιστος; faithlessness, i.e. (negatively) disbelief (lack of Christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience):--unbelief.
Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G281
There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀμήν
Transliteration: amḗn
Pronunciation: am-ane'
Description: of Hebrew origin (אָמֵן); properly, firm, i.e. (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it):--amen, verily.
Strong's Number: G3004
There are 1244 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λέγω
Transliteration: légō
Pronunciation: leg'-o
Description: a primary verb; properly, to "lay" forth, i.e. (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas ἔπω and φημί generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while ῥέω is properly to break silence merely, and λαλέω means an extended or random harangue)); by implication, to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
Strong's Number: G5213
There are 567 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑμῖν
Transliteration: hymîn
Pronunciation: hoo-min'
Description: irregular dative case of ὑμεῖς; to (with or by) you:--ye, you, your(-selves).
Strong's Number: G1437
There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐάν
Transliteration: eán
Pronunciation: eh-an'
Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.
Strong's Number: G4102
There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πίστις
Transliteration: pístis
Pronunciation: pis'-tis
Description: from πείθω; persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy in such profession; by extension, the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:--assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Strong's Number: G5613
There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὡς
Transliteration: hōs
Pronunciation: hoce
Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Strong's Number: G2848
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κόκκος
Transliteration: kókkos
Pronunciation: kok'-kos
Description: apparently a primary word; a kernel of seed:--corn, grain.
Strong's Number: G4615
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σίναπι
Transliteration: sínapi
Pronunciation: sin'-ap-ee
Description: perhaps from (to hurt, i.e. sting); mustard (the plant):--mustard.
Strong's Number: G2046
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐρέω
Transliteration: eréō
Pronunciation: er-eh'-o
Description: probably a fuller form of ῥέω; an alternate for ἔπω in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. speak or say:--call, say, speak (of), tell.
Strong's Number: G5129
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τούτῳ
Transliteration: toútōi
Pronunciation: too'-to
Description: dative case singular masculine or neuter of οὗτος; to (in, with or by) this (person or thing):--here(-by, -in), him, one, the same, there(-in), this.
Strong's Number: G3735
There are 65 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὄρος
Transliteration: óros
Pronunciation: or'-os
Description: probably from an obsolete (to rise or "rear"; perhaps akin to αἴρω; compare ὄρνις); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain):--hill, mount(-ain).
Strong's Number: G3327
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μεταβαίνω
Transliteration: metabaínō
Pronunciation: met-ab-ah'-ee-no
Description: from μετά and the base of βάσις; to change place:--depart, go, pass, remove.
Strong's Number: G1782
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐντεῦθεν
Transliteration: enteûthen
Pronunciation: ent-yoo'-then
Description: from the same as ἐνθάδε; hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides:--(from) hence, on either side.
Strong's Number: G1563
There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκεῖ
Transliteration: ekeî
Pronunciation: ek-i'
Description: of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither:--there, thither(-ward), (to) yonder (place).
Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G3762
There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐδείς
Transliteration: oudeís
Pronunciation: oo-den'
Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.
Strong's Number: G101
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀδυνατέω
Transliteration: adynatéō
Pronunciation: ad-oo-nat-eh'-o
Description: from ἀδύνατος; to be unable, i.e. (passively) impossible:--be impossible.

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