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.

Jesus {G2424} answered {G611} and {G1161} said {G2036} unto them {G846}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, If {G1437} ye have {G2192} faith {G4102}, and {G2532} doubt {G1252} not {G3361}, ye shall {G4160} not {G3756} only {G3440} do {G4160} this {G3440} which is done to the fig tree {G4808}, but {G235} also if {G2579} ye shall say {G2036} unto this {G5129} mountain {G3735}, Be thou removed {G142}, and {G2532} be thou cast {G906} into {G1519} the sea {G2281}; it shall be done {G1096}.

Yeshua answered them, "Yes! I tell you, if you have trust and don't doubt, you will not only do what was done to this fig tree; but even if you say to this mountain, `Go and throw yourself into the sea!' it will be done.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done.

Matthew 21:21 is a profound declaration by Jesus Christ regarding the immense power available through genuine, unwavering faith. Following the miraculous withering of the fig tree, Jesus assures His disciples that steadfast belief, free from doubt, empowers believers to accomplish seemingly impossible feats, symbolized by the moving of a mountain.

Context

This verse immediately follows the account of Jesus cursing a barren fig tree for its lack of fruit, which then withered away instantly (Matthew 21:19). The disciples were astonished by this rapid miracle, prompting their question. Jesus uses this moment to teach them, and all believers, a crucial lesson about the transformative power of faith and the debilitating effect of doubt. This teaching occurs during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, a period rich with significant parables and lessons.

Key Themes

  • The Boundless Power of Faith: Jesus emphasizes that faith is not merely intellectual agreement but an active, resolute trust in God's capabilities. It serves as the channel through which God's miraculous power can be manifested in the world. The capacity to "do this [which is done] to the fig tree" and even greater things points to faith's limitless potential when aligned with divine will.
  • The Hindrance of Doubt: The explicit condition "and doubt not" is paramount. Doubt (Greek: diakrinō, meaning 'to be divided in one's mind,' 'to waver,' or 'to hesitate') acts as a significant barrier to the full expression of faith. It suggests a lack of conviction or a divided heart, which can severely hinder the effectiveness of prayer and the realization of God's promises.
  • Hyperbolic Promise: The imagery of commanding a "mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea" is a powerful hyperbole. It is not meant to be interpreted literally as moving geological formations but rather signifies the ability to overcome the most immense, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, challenges, and difficulties in life through God's power accessed by faith. This concept is also seen in 1 Corinthians 13:2 and echoes Jesus' teaching about faith like a grain of mustard seed in Matthew 17:20.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "faith" is pistis (πίστις), which encompasses not just intellectual belief but also profound trust, confidence, and conviction in God. The phrase "doubt not" translates from the Greek mē diakrinō (μὴ διακρίνω), emphasizing the necessity of a singular, undivided focus of trust in God, without internal conflict, hesitation, or wavering. This undivided heart is crucial for the full manifestation of God's power through faith.

Practical Application

This verse offers both profound encouragement and a significant challenge for believers today:

  • Overcoming Obstacles: It calls us to approach life's "mountains"—whether they be personal struggles, spiritual battles, financial hardships, or seemingly impossible circumstances—with unwavering faith, trusting that God can make a way where there appears to be none.
  • Power in Prayer: Jesus' teaching underscores the critical importance of prayer offered with sincere belief, free from doubt. When we pray according to God's will and with confident expectation, He is able to act powerfully on our behalf. This aligns with the principle taught in Mark 11:24, which encourages us to "believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
  • Cultivating Unwavering Trust: The challenge for every believer is to actively cultivate a faith that is not easily swayed by circumstances or internal uncertainties. This involves deepening our relationship with God through His Word, prayer, and continually choosing to trust in His character and unfailing promises, even when facing formidable challenges.
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.

  • James 1:6

    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 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 11:22

    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.

  • 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.

  • Luke 17:7

    But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

  • 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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