Mark 9:23

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

{G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036} unto him {G846}, If {G1487} thou canst {G1410} believe {G4100}, all things {G3956} are possible {G1415} to him {G846} that believeth {G4100}.

Yeshua said to him, "What do you mean, `if you can'? Everything is possible to someone who has trust!"

“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”

And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.

Mark 9:23 captures a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus' ministry, directly challenging the father of a demon-possessed boy who expressed doubt about Jesus' ability to heal.

Context

This powerful statement from Jesus comes immediately after the disciples' failure to cast out a demon from a boy, leading the desperate father to approach Jesus with the plea, "If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us" (Mark 9:22). Jesus' response in verse 23 directly addresses the father's "if," shifting the focus from His own capability (which is limitless) to the father's capacity for belief. This scene highlights the contrast between human limitations and divine possibility, especially when coupled with genuine faith.

Key Themes

  • The Sovereignty of Belief: Jesus emphatically states that the true limitation is not in God's power, but in the presence or absence of faith. The phrase "all things are possible to him that believeth" underscores that divine intervention often hinges on human receptivity and trust.
  • Overcoming Doubt: Jesus' reply serves as a direct rebuke to the father's wavering faith, challenging him to move beyond uncertainty. It teaches that doubt can be a significant barrier to experiencing God's miraculous power.
  • God's Unlimited Power: While the verse emphasizes the role of belief, it implicitly reaffirms God's omnipotence. When human faith aligns with God's will, there are no impossibilities (for with God nothing shall be impossible).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "If thou canst believe" is To eí dynasai pisteúsai. The word dynasai comes from dynamai, meaning "to be able," "to have power." Jesus cleverly turns the father's hesitant "if you are able" back on him, implying, "The question is not if I am able, but if you are able to believe." The subsequent "all things are possible" uses dynata, reinforcing the concept of power and ability. This wordplay emphasizes that the power released is directly proportional to the faith exercised.

Practical Application

Mark 9:23 is a profound encouragement for believers today facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. It calls us to examine our own hearts for doubt and to cultivate a deeper, unwavering trust in God's ability. This verse reminds us that our prayers should be offered with expectation, knowing that when we approach God in faith, His boundless power can work in ways we cannot imagine. It encourages us to pray not "if you can," but "because you can," believing that even a small amount of faith can accomplish great things.

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.

  • John 11:40

    Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

  • Hebrews 11:6

    But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

  • 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.

  • 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 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.

  • Matthew 21:22

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

  • 2 Chronicles 20:20

    ¶ And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

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