Jesus isn't just talking about performing big miracles; he's contrasting the withering of the fig tree with the much grander, symbolic act of moving a mountain. This highlights that true faith isn't limited by perceived difficulties but is powered by God's ability to overcome any obstacle, making even the impossible possible through unwavering trust.
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)
Following Jesus' cleansing of the Temple and his encounter with the chief priests, his disciples marvel at the sudden, miraculous withering of the fig tree Jesus cursed. In response to their awe and questions, Jesus explains that unwavering faith, free from doubt, holds immense power. This divine ability, he teaches, allows believers not only to perform mighty works like the fig tree's demise but also to accomplish seemingly impossible feats, illustrating this with the hyperbole of moving a mountain into the sea.
Jesus uses a dramatic image to describe the power of faith. What does it truly mean to 'not doubt,' and what are the implications for our own lives?
Jesus is speaking about a faith so strong it can accomplish the impossible. He uses the image of moving a mountain to represent overcoming any obstacle.
The miraculous withering of the fig tree isn't just a strange event; it's a vivid demonstration and a teaching moment for the disciples. What can we learn from its fate?
Jesus' action with the fig tree serves as a powerful, visible object lesson that illustrates the principle of faith he is about to teach.
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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.
This teaching on faith occurs during Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, amidst escalating conflict with religious leaders. The withered fig tree and the imagery of moving mountains serve as powerful, immediate illustrations of divine power, the consequences of spiritual unfruitfulness, and the potential for unwavering faith in God's work.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus enters the temple in Jerusalem and drives out merchants and money-changers, declaring it a house of prayer, not a den of robbers.
c. AD 30
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
Jesus, hungry, finds a fig tree with only leaves and curses it, causing it to wither. This event serves as a visual lesson for his disciples.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches on Faith
In response to the disciples' amazement at the withered fig tree, Jesus teaches them about the power of faith, even to move mountains.
c. AD 30
Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem
Jesus makes a public entry into Jerusalem, hailed by crowds as a prophet and king, though religious leaders are increasingly hostile.
c. AD 30
Chief Priests and Scribes Plot Against Jesus
The religious authorities, angered by Jesus' actions and teachings, seek a way to arrest and kill him.
This verse directly follows the account of the fig tree and echoes Jesus' teaching, emphasizing the need to 'have faith in God' as the foundation for such miraculous power.
1 Corinthians 13:2Paul uses the ability to 'remove mountains' as an example of a powerful gift, but crucially places it within the context of love, suggesting that even the greatest faith without love is worthless, thus adding a layer of ethical consideration to Jesus' promise.
John 14:12Jesus promises that believers will do 'greater works' than He did, which directly relates to the idea of overcoming immense obstacles through faith, as illustrated by the fig tree and mountain imagery.
Matthew 17:20In this passage, Jesus explicitly states that faith 'like a grain of mustard seed' can move mountains, reinforcing the idea that even a small, genuine faith possesses immense power to overcome the impossible.
Romans 4:20This passage highlights Abraham's unwavering faith, stating he 'did not waver through unbelief,' which mirrors Jesus' instruction to His disciples to have faith and not doubt, showing a consistent biblical theme of steadfast belief in God's power.
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 talking about performing big miracles; he's contrasting the withering of the fig tree with the much grander, symbolic act of moving a mountain. This highlights that true faith isn't limited by perceived difficulties but is powered by God's ability to overcome any obstacle, making even the impossible possible through unwavering trust.
Following Jesus' cleansing of the Temple and his encounter with the chief priests, his disciples marvel at the sudden, miraculous withering of the fig tree Jesus cursed. In response to their awe and questions, Jesus explains that unwavering faith, free from doubt, holds immense power. This divine ability, he teaches, allows believers not only to perform mighty works like the fig tree's demise but also to accomplish seemingly impossible feats, illustrating this with the hyperbole of moving a mountain into the sea.
Following Jesus' cleansing of the Temple and his encounter with the chief priests, his disciples marvel at the sudden, miraculous withering of the fig tree Jesus cursed. In response to their awe and questions, Jesus explains that unwavering faith, free from doubt, holds immense power. This divine ability, he teaches, allows believers not only to perform mighty works like the fig tree's demise but also to accomplish seemingly impossible feats, illustrating this with the hyperbole of moving a mountain into the sea.
"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 talking about performing big miracles; he's contrasting the withering of the fig tree with the much grander, symbolic act of moving a mountain. This highlights that true faith isn't…
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Last reviewed October 2026
