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.

And {G1161} the Lord {G2962} said {G2036}, If {G1487} ye had {G2192} faith {G4102} as {G5613} a grain {G2848} of mustard seed {G4615}, ye might {G302} say {G3004} unto this {G5026} sycamine {G4807} tree, Be thou plucked up by the root {G1610}, and {G2532} be thou planted {G5452} in {G1722} the sea {G2281}; and {G2532} it should {G302} obey {G5219} you {G5213}.

The Lord replied, “If you had trust as tiny as a mustard seed, you could say to this fig tree, ‘Be uprooted and replanted in the sea!’ and it would obey you.

And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

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

Luke 17:6 presents one of Jesus' most profound teachings on the nature and potential of genuine faith, even when it seems infinitesimally small. It serves as an encouragement to His disciples and to believers throughout history, emphasizing God's boundless power working through His trusting followers.

Context

This verse follows a challenging exchange where Jesus warns His disciples about the severe consequences of causing others to stumble and the radical requirement of forgiving a brother "seven times in a day" (Luke 17:4). Overwhelmed by these demands, the apostles respond by asking the Lord to "increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). Jesus' reply in verse 6 addresses their request not by promising a greater quantity of faith, but by illustrating the immense power inherent in even a tiny amount of true faith directed towards God.

Key Themes

  • The Power of Small Faith: Jesus uses the mustard seed, a common metaphor for something incredibly tiny yet possessing remarkable growth potential, to convey that the size of one's faith is not the critical factor. Instead, it's the quality of that faith and the omnipotent God in whom it is placed. This echoes similar teachings about faith moving mountains.
  • Divine Authority Through Belief: The command to a "sycamine tree" (a large, deep-rooted tree known for its strong anchoring) to be uprooted and planted in the sea is a vivid, hyperbolic illustration of the extraordinary power available to those who genuinely believe. It's not a literal instruction for believers to perform such acts, but a demonstration that no obstacle is too great for God when His power is unleashed through faith.
  • Overcoming the Impossible: The sycamine tree represents seemingly insurmountable challenges, deeply entrenched problems, or impossible situations. Jesus assures His followers that with God, even the most formidable obstacles can be overcome through a sincere, albeit small, faith.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "faith" is pistis (πίστις), which denotes trust, belief, conviction, and confidence in God. It implies a firm persuasion and reliance. The "sycamine tree" (Greek: sykaminos) refers to the black mulberry or fig-mulberry tree, which was known for its extensive and stubborn root system, making its removal an incredibly difficult task. This detail underscores the magnitude of the "impossible" task Jesus describes, highlighting the divine power required.

Practical Application

Luke 17:6 offers profound encouragement for everyday life. It teaches us:

  • Don't Despair Over Small Faith: Believers should not be discouraged if their faith feels inadequate. The verse emphasizes that even a tiny spark of genuine faith, when placed in the infinite power of God, can achieve remarkable things.
  • Focus on the Object of Faith: The power lies not in the quantity of our faith, but in the character and ability of the God in whom we place our trust. He is capable of doing the impossible.
  • Empowerment for Challenges: This teaching empowers us to face deeply rooted problems in our personal lives, communities, or the world, knowing that God's power is sufficient to overcome what seems insurmountable. It is a reminder that "all things are possible to him that believeth", not by human might, but by divine intervention through faith.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 17:20

    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.

  • 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.

  • Mark 11:22

    And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 13:31

    Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

  • Matthew 13:32

    Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back