Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Matthew 21:22
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This promise, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith," isn't just a blank check for anything we want. The "all things" is qualified by faith, and the surrounding context of Jesus' interaction with the fig tree points to a deeper significance beyond personal desires. It's about aligning our requests with God's will, especially for kingdom purposes, rather than expecting to manipulate divine power for selfish gain.
Jesus has just cursed a fig tree for being fruitless, causing it to wither, a powerful object lesson for his disciples. In response to their amazement, he teaches them about the incredible power of faith, assuring them that if they truly believe, they can even move mountains. This statement, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith," directly follows this dramatic demonstration, emphasizing that the power they just witnessed is unlocked through faith in prayer.
Does this promise of receiving 'all things' really mean anything we desire?
Jesus’ words in Matthew 21:22 are powerful and encouraging, but it's crucial to understand their original context.
A Promise for the Apostles
The immediate context is Jesus speaking to his disciples after he cursed the fig tree and demonstrated his power. The scholars note that this promise was especially given to the apostles. It was tied to their unique role in confirming the nascent gospel through miraculous signs. While we can draw great encouragement from this, the direct application of performing miracles isn't for every believer today.
The Heart of the Promise
However, the principle behind the promise remains. Jesus is showing the incredible power that comes when faith is aligned with God’s will and prayer. It’s about accessing God’s power for His purposes, not just personal whims. As the commentaries suggest, this promise is about receiving what is conducive to God's glory and our spiritual good, based on His promises.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 21:22 is available in the Sola app.
What does it really mean to pray 'believing'?
Jesus doesn't just say 'ask'; he adds the crucial condition: 'believing'. This isn't just wishful thinking or positive affirmation.
Trusting God's Character
'Believing' here means having a deep, settled trust in God's power, goodness, and faithfulness. It's an assurance that God can and will act according to His will and promises. It's not about believing that you can make anything happen, but believing that God can and will do what is right and good when you bring your requests to Him in prayer.
Unwavering Confidence
The commentaries highlight that this faith involves not doubting in your heart. It's an active confidence, a certainty that God is able to do what you are asking, especially when it aligns with His Word and His glory. It's the conviction that God is not distant or indifferent, but actively engaged and ready to respond to those who approach Him in faith.
Understand the original words
proseuchē · Greek Noun
Biblical prayer is the act of communicating with God, characterized by humble dependence, alignment with His will, and the expectation that He hears and responds to His people. It is a posture of submission and intimate relationship.
This promise is deeply connected to Jesus' final week in Jerusalem, highlighting the power of faith in the face of religious corruption and impending crisis, specifically in the context of His ministry and the confirmation of the Gospel.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
Jesus drives out merchants and money changers from the Jerusalem temple, asserting its sacred purpose.
c. AD 30
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
Jesus curses a fig tree that has leaves but no fruit, causing it to wither.
c. AD 30
Jesus Teaches About Faith
In response to the disciples' astonishment at the withered fig tree, Jesus teaches them about the power of faith in prayer.
c. AD 30
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes a triumphal entry into Jerusalem, hailed as a king, shortly before his crucifixion.
This passage immediately follows the account of Jesus cursing the fig tree and echoes the promise of receiving what you ask for, emphasizing the importance of believing you have already received it.
John 14:13Jesus states that whatever is asked in His name will be done, directly linking divine action to the disciples' requests made in faith and through prayer.
1 John 5:14This verse assures believers that if they ask anything according to God's will, He hears them, providing a crucial qualifier to the broad promise of receiving whatever is asked.
Romans 8:26This passage highlights that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, even praying for us with groanings too deep for words, showing that God understands our needs even when our prayers are imperfect.
Matthew 7:7This earlier teaching from Jesus lays the groundwork for the promise in Matthew 21:22, with the familiar 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you,' reinforcing the principle of God responding to persistent seeking.
barnesMatthew 21:22: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
And all things ... - He adds an encouragement for them to pray, assuring them that they should have all things which they asked. This promise was evidently a special one, given to them in regard to working miracles. To them it was true, but it is manifest that we have no right to apply this promise to ourselves. It was desired especially for the apostles; nor have we a right to turn it from its orig…
bengelMatthew 21:22: "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
Matthew 21:22 . Αἰτήσητε ἐν τῇ προσευχῇ , ye shall ask in prayer [925]) see Mark 11:24 . Miracles are performed by the prayers of the faithful.— λήψεσθε , ye shall receive , etc.) sc. as a gift. Thus, in Mark 11:23-24 , ἔσται αὐτῷ , κ . τ . λ ., he shall have , etc. [925] The relation of faith to prayer is the same as that of fire to flame.—V. g.
This promise, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith," isn't just a blank check for anything we want. The "all things" is qualified by faith, and the surrounding context of Jesus' interaction with the fig tree points to a deeper significance beyond personal desires. It's about aligning our requests with God's will, especially for kingdom purposes, rather than expecting to manipulate divine power for selfish gain.
Jesus has just cursed a fig tree for being fruitless, causing it to wither, a powerful object lesson for his disciples. In response to their amazement, he teaches them about the incredible power of faith, assuring them that if they truly believe, they can even move mountains. This statement, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith," directly follows this dramatic demonstration, emphasizing that the power they just witnessed is unlocked through faith in prayer.
Jesus has just cursed a fig tree for being fruitless, causing it to wither, a powerful object lesson for his disciples. In response to their amazement, he teaches them about the incredible power of faith, assuring them that if they truly believe, they can even move mountains. This statement, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith," directly follows this dramatic demonstration, emphasizing that the power they just witnessed is unlocked through faith in prayer.
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”" — This promise, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith," isn't just a blank check for anything we want. The "all things" is qualified by faith, and the surrounding context…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.