Matthew 21:21
And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus isn't just saying faith can do big things; he's showing that a specific kind of faith, one completely free from doubt, is the key. This isn't about wishing for mountains to move, but about having such unwavering trust that you know God's power will act through you when you speak, even for seemingly impossible tasks.
Following His cleansing of the temple and His encounter with the chief priests, Jesus and His disciples passed by a withered fig tree. When they marveled at this, Jesus used it as an opportunity to teach them about the power of faith. He explained that with unwavering faith, they could accomplish even greater things than the miraculous drying of the fig tree, even to the point of commanding mountains to move.
Jesus' words about moving mountains might sound like a fairy tale, but they point to something incredibly real and powerful. What is the true source of this ability?
Jesus isn't suggesting that we can just wish big things into existence. The power to 'move mountains' isn't about human might. It's about tapping into God's power through faith.
Divine Enablement
The ability to perform such extraordinary feats, whether it's causing a fig tree to wither or moving a literal mountain, comes from God. Jesus highlights this by saying, 'If you have faith in God' (Mark 11:22).
Faith in Action
This faith isn't passive wishing; it's an active trust in God's power and willingness to act through us for His purposes. When we align our desires with His will, our faith becomes the conduit for His miraculous power. It's about yielding to God, not asserting our own will.
Doubt is the silent killer of dreams and the great underminer of faith. Jesus specifically calls out its opposite. What does it mean to truly 'not doubt'?
Jesus explicitly links the power of faith to the absence of doubt. This isn't about never having questions, but about not letting those questions paralyze our trust in God.
The Nature of Doubt
As one commentator put it, the Greek word for 'doubt' here implies 'disputation' or 'questioning.' It's the inner debate that arises when our limited understanding clashes with God's promises or power. It's the tendency to reason ourselves out of believing what God says He can do.
Undivided Heart
To 'not doubt' means to have a wholehearted trust in God. It's believing what God says will happen, even when circumstances, logic, or feelings scream otherwise. It requires an unwavering conviction in God's character and His ability to bring His word to pass.
Understand the original words
pistis · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, faith is the confident trust, reliance, and steadfast conviction in God's character, promises, and power. It is not merely intellectual assent, but a foundational commitment that shapes one's actions and life.
diakrinō · Greek Verb
To doubt in a biblical sense is to be divided in one's mind, to waver, or to hesitate between trust in God and reliance on human perception or circumstances. It signifies a lack of single-mindedness regarding God's power.
Jesus uses the dramatic events of His final week in Jerusalem—cleansing the temple, cursing a fruitless fig tree, and teaching His disciples—to illustrate the power of faith and the consequences of spiritual barrenness, foreshadowing judgment on the nation.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus dramatically enters the temple in Jerusalem and drives out merchants and money-changers, asserting His authority and condemning the commercialization of the sacred space.
c. AD 30
Jesus Curses a Fig Tree
On His way out of Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree that appears fruitless, causing it to wither. This event serves as a parable about spiritual barrenness and impending judgment.
c. AD 30
Disciples Witness the Withered Fig Tree
The next day, the disciples notice the fig tree has completely withered, prompting them to marvel and ask Jesus about His power.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches About Faith and Prayer
In response to the disciples' awe, Jesus teaches them about the power of unwavering faith, linking it to their ability to perform miracles and the effectiveness of prayer.
This passage immediately follows the cursing of the fig tree and echoes Jesus' teaching on faith, directly correlating prayer, belief, and receiving desires with the power of faith.
1 Corinthians 13:2This verse speaks about the necessity of faith for miraculous abilities, stating that even the ability to move mountains without love is worthless, highlighting the importance of faith as the foundation.
Colossians 1:23This passage describes the steadfastness required in faith, which is essential for the kind of unwavering belief Jesus speaks about when commanding mountains to move.
Hebrews 11:6This verse emphasizes that without faith, it is impossible to please God, underscoring that faith is the fundamental requirement for any request or action that seeks divine enablement.
Luke 17:6Here, Jesus again uses the analogy of moving a sycamine tree into the sea to illustrate the power of even a small amount of faith, reinforcing the concept presented in Matthew 21:21.
barnesMatthew 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 answered and said ... - Jesus took occasion from this to establish their faith in God, Mark 11:22 He told them that any difficulty could be overcome by faith. To remove a mountain denotes the power of surmounting or r…
bengelMatthew 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 21:21 . Ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν , κ . τ . λ ., but Jesus answering, said , etc.) Our Lord frequently led the disciples from admiration of miracles to things more profitable for salvation; see Luke 10:20 .— πίστ…
Jesus isn't just saying faith can do big things; he's showing that a specific kind of faith, one completely free from doubt, is the key. This isn't about wishing for mountains to move, but about having such unwavering trust that you know God's power will act through you when you speak, even for seemingly impossible tasks.
Following His cleansing of the temple and His encounter with the chief priests, Jesus and His disciples passed by a withered fig tree. When they marveled at this, Jesus used it as an opportunity to teach them about the power of faith. He explained that with unwavering faith, they could accomplish even greater things than the miraculous drying of the fig tree, even to the point of commanding mountains to move.
Following His cleansing of the temple and His encounter with the chief priests, Jesus and His disciples passed by a withered fig tree. When they marveled at this, Jesus used it as an opportunity to teach them about the power of faith. He explained that with unwavering faith, they could accomplish even greater things than the miraculous drying of the fig tree, even to the point of commanding mountains to move.
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Why the dramatic imagery of a withered fig tree and a hurled mountain? Jesus used these powerful pictures to teach us something profound about faith's scope.
Jesus uses vivid, even hyperbolic, language to illustrate the incredible potential of faith. The fig tree and the mountain are not just random examples; they represent the scale of what God can accomplish through believers.
Symbolism of the Fig Tree
The fig tree, barren despite having leaves, symbolizes outward appearance without inner substance. Its miraculous withering is a visible representation of judgment on fruitlessness. Jesus uses this as a lesser miracle to point to greater possibilities.
Mountains as Obstacles
'Moving a mountain' was a common Jewish expression for overcoming impossible difficulties. Jesus uses it here to show that faith, when aligned with God's will, can conquer any obstacle that stands in the way of His kingdom's advancement.
Faith for God's Glory
Crucially, this power isn't for personal gain or to impress others. The ultimate goal is to see God's purposes fulfilled, His name glorified, and His kingdom advanced. The 'whatsoever you ask in prayer' is always framed within the context of faith and aligning with God's heart.
c. AD 30
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
Following these events in Jerusalem, Jesus begins to more openly teach about His impending suffering, death, and resurrection.
"And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen." — Jesus isn't just saying faith can do big things; he's showing that a specific kind of faith, one completely free from doubt, is the key. This isn't about wishing for mountains to move, but about havi…
