Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses the dramatic image of moving a mountain not to promise that believers can literally reshape the earth with their words, but to emphasize that unwavering belief is the key to overcoming any obstacle, no matter how impossible it seems. The core of his teaching here is that doubt paralyzes, while a heart fully convinced of God's power can achieve the seemingly impossible.
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Immediately after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he cleanses the temple and then curses a barren fig tree on his way out of the city. The next morning, his disciples are astonished to find the tree has withered, prompting Jesus to explain the power of faith. This statement about moving mountains serves as a lesson on the incredible potential of unwavering trust in God.
Ever feel like your prayers aren't answered? This verse sounds like a blank check, but what was Jesus really promising?
Jesus uses the imagery of moving a mountain, a task impossible for humans, to illustrate the power of faith. But the commentary reminds us that this wasn't about literal mountains or selfish desires. It was about overcoming the immovable obstacles that stood in the way of God's kingdom. The 'mountain' represents challenges – spiritual, social, or personal – that hinder the spread of God's purposes. The promise isn't for personal enrichment, but for the advancement of God's work.
Doubt is a common struggle. What does it mean to 'not doubt in your heart' when facing seemingly impossible situations?
The key here isn't the absence of all questioning, but the absence of wavering belief in God's power and willingness. The original language suggests not just a lack of doubt, but an active, discerning trust. It means holding onto the certainty of God's ability and Word, even when circumstances scream otherwise. This isn't about denying reality, but about believing God's reality is supreme. It's an unwavering conviction that what God has ordained will come to pass through the one who trusts Him.
Understand the original words
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diakrinō · Greek Verb
A state of wavering, divided opinion, or internal conflict that hinders one’s total reliance on God's ability to fulfill His purposes.
This powerful statement about faith comes directly after Jesus' dramatic actions in Jerusalem and the dramatic cursing of the fig tree. It's not just about believing in God's power, but about aligning our prayers and desires with His will, especially in the face of the spiritual 'mountains'—obstacles to His kingdom—that Jesus confronted.
c. AD 30, early spring
Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus makes a public entry into Jerusalem, hailed by crowds as a king. This event heightens religious and political tensions.
c. AD 30, early spring
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus drives out merchants and money-changers from the temple courts, a bold act of protest against corruption. This action enrages the religious authorities.
c. AD 30, early spring— this verse
Jesus Curses the Barren Fig Tree
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree that has no fruit. The next day, the disciples see it withered, serving as a lesson on faith and judgment.
c. AD 30, early spring
Jesus Teaches in the Temple
During his final week, Jesus teaches daily in the temple. The religious leaders plot to kill him, but the crowds are captivated by his teachings.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' teaching on faith, stating that even a small amount of faith, like a mustard seed, can move mountains, reinforcing the idea that immense power is available through genuine belief.
Hebrews 11:6This verse highlights that it is impossible to please God without faith, emphasizing that anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him, connecting faith to divine favor and action.
1 Corinthians 13:2Paul contrasts the ability to move mountains with having love, underscoring that while faith can accomplish incredible feats, it is ultimately incomplete and powerless in God's eyes without love as its driving motivation and expression.
Jeremiah 32:27This Old Testament verse presents God asking, 'Is anything too hard for me?', which parallels Jesus' teaching by affirming God's omnipotence and His capacity to perform the seemingly impossible when His people trust in Him.
Romans 4:19-21This passage discusses Abraham's unwavering faith, showing that he did not waver in believing God's promises, even when they seemed impossible, thereby illustrating the unwavering conviction required for faith to move mountains.
calvinMark 11:11-24: "And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve."
- And when he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11. And the multitudes said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth in Galilee. 12. And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and drove out all that sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the mon…
ellicottMark 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."
(23) Those things . . . he shall have whatsoever he saith. —The better MSS. give, “that the thing which he saith cometh to pass,” and “he shall have it.” The promise is specific rather than general in its form, and so prepare…
Jesus uses the dramatic image of moving a mountain not to promise that believers can literally reshape the earth with their words, but to emphasize that unwavering belief is the key to overcoming any obstacle, no matter how impossible it seems. The core of his teaching here is that doubt paralyzes, while a heart fully convinced of God's power can achieve the seemingly impossible.
Immediately after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he cleanses the temple and then curses a barren fig tree on his way out of the city. The next morning, his disciples are astonished to find the tree has withered, prompting Jesus to explain the power of faith. This statement about moving mountains serves as a lesson on the incredible potential of unwavering trust in God.
Immediately after Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he cleanses the temple and then curses a barren fig tree on his way out of the city. The next morning, his disciples are astonished to find the tree has withered, prompting Jesus to explain the power of faith. This statement about moving mountains serves as a lesson on the incredible potential of unwavering trust in God.
"Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him." — Jesus uses the dramatic image of moving a mountain not to promise that believers can literally reshape the earth with their words, but to emphasize that unwavering belief is the key to overcoming a…
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Last reviewed October 2026