Mark 11:24

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

Therefore {G1223}{G5124} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, What {G3745} things {G3956} soever {G302} ye desire {G154}, when ye pray {G4336}, believe {G4100} that {G3754} ye receive {G2983} them, and {G2532} ye {G5213} shall have {G2071} them.

Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, trust that you are receiving it, and it will be yours.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Commentary

Context of Mark 11:24

Mark 11:24 is part of Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer, delivered immediately after the incident of the withered fig tree. Following Jesus' cursing of the fig tree and the disciples' astonishment at its rapid decay, Jesus uses this moment to instruct them on the immense power available through faith. He first states that with faith, one can command a mountain to be cast into the sea (Mark 11:23), and then expands this principle to the broader scope of prayer.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Power of Believing Prayer: The core message is that true prayer is not just asking, but believing with conviction that one has already received what is requested. This active belief is presented as the key to manifestation.
  • Unwavering Faith: Jesus emphasizes that the effectiveness of prayer is directly linked to the believer's faith, without doubting. This echoes other teachings on the necessity of praying without doubting.
  • God's Provision: While the verse speaks to the power of human faith, it implicitly points to God as the ultimate source of provision. The "having" comes from His willingness to grant what is sought in faith.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "believe that ye receive [them]" is particularly significant. In the original Greek, the verb for "receive" (λαβόντες - labontes) is an aorist participle, which can convey the idea of a completed action. This suggests believing that you have *already taken hold of* or *received* the desired thing, even before it manifests physically. It's not just hoping to receive, but having a settled conviction of possession in the spiritual realm.

Related Scriptures

This verse is a cornerstone for understanding New Testament teaching on prayer and faith. It closely aligns with other passages where Jesus encourages persistent and believing prayer, such as Matthew 7:7-8 ("Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you") and His promise in John 14:13, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do."

For practical application, Mark 11:24 challenges believers to cultivate a deeper trust in God's ability and willingness to answer prayer. It reminds us that prayer is not a passive request but an act of faith that actively engages with God's power. However, it's crucial to understand this promise within the context of God's will (1 John 5:14). Our desires, when aligned with God's perfect will and purposes, become powerful instruments for His kingdom.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 21:22 (181 votes)

    And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

  • 1 John 5:14 (157 votes)

    ¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

  • 1 John 5:15 (157 votes)

    And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

  • 1 John 3:22 (124 votes)

    And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

  • James 1:5 (113 votes)

    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

  • James 1:6 (113 votes)

    But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

  • Matthew 18:19 (109 votes)

    Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.