And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The promise "all things, whatsoever you shall ask" isn't a blank check for anything we want. It's tied to asking specifically "in prayer" and "believing," implying these requests align with God's will and are offered with a deep trust that He hears and responds.
And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right after Jesus dramatically cleansed the Temple and then cursed a fig tree that had only leaves and no fruit, his disciples were astonished by how quickly the tree withered. Jesus then used this event to teach them about the incredible power of faith, explaining that if they could believe and not doubt, they could even move mountains. This promise about receiving whatever they ask in prayer, provided they have faith, comes immediately after this demonstration of divine power.
This verse sounds like a blank check for anything we want. But was Jesus speaking to everyone, for everything?
When Jesus said, 'And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith,' he was speaking directly to his disciples in a specific moment. This promise was primarily for the apostles as they began their mission, empowering them to perform miracles and confirm the gospel message. While we can and should pray with faith for many things, this specific phrasing was tied to their unique role and the foundational spread of Christianity. It's not a carte blanche for personal desires, but a powerful assurance for those entrusted with a monumental task.
A Unique Calling
The disciples were on the cusp of carrying Jesus' message to the world. They needed extraordinary empowerment to overcome opposition and authenticate their ministry. This promise was a divine guarantee for their mission. It's like giving a contractor specialized tools for a unique construction job – those tools are essential for that job, but not necessarily for every homeowner's DIY project.
The Foundation for Our Faith
This doesn't mean the promise is irrelevant to us! The principle of faith in prayer remains. The context highlights that faith, when aligned with God's will and purpose, unlocks His power. This specific promise, while given to the apostles, laid the groundwork for the enduring truth that God hears and answers the prayers of His faithful.
Key Takeaway
The power of this promise lies in its original purpose: equipping the early church. Our faith, while still vital, operates within the ongoing work of God's kingdom as revealed through Scripture.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus connects receiving with faith, but what kind of faith is this? Is it simply wishing really hard?
The faith Jesus speaks of here is not a passive wish or a blind hope. It's an active, confident trust rooted in who God is and what He has promised. It's a conviction that what is asked, when aligned with God's will, will be accomplished.
A Confident Assurance
This faith is described as not doubting. It's a deep assurance, a certainty that God is able and willing to act. It's like knowing a skilled surgeon can perform a complex operation – you trust their ability and the process, even though the outcome isn't yet visible. This kind of faith isn't about controlling God, but about trusting His sovereign power and goodness.
The Source of True Faith
This unwavering confidence doesn't come from within ourselves; it comes from God. It's a gift, nurtured through relationship with Him, understanding His character, and His Word. When we see the fig tree wither instantly, it’s a visible demonstration of power that fuels faith – a reminder that God’s word has inherent power.
Key Takeaway
Genuine faith is an active, confident trust in God's power and promises, free from crippling doubt, and it finds its strength in Him alone.
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.
c. AD 30
Jesus enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, hailed by crowds, marking his final week before the crucifixion.
c. AD 30
Jesus cleanses the temple
Jesus disrupts the commerce in the temple courts, denouncing it as a 'den of robbers' and asserting his authority.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus curses the fig tree
Jesus, experiencing hunger, curses a fig tree for being fruitless, which withers immediately, symbolizing judgment on spiritual barrenness.
c. AD 30
Jesus teaches on faith and prayer
In response to the disciples' amazement at the withered fig tree, Jesus teaches them about the power of faith in prayer, promising they will receive what they ask for.
c. AD 30
Jesus' authority challenged
The chief priests and elders challenge Jesus' authority after his temple actions, setting the stage for his crucifixion.
This passage echoes the same promise, directly linking prayer and faith to receiving what is asked, emphasizing the immediate reception of desires.
1 John 5:14-15This passage offers assurance that if we ask anything according to God's will, He hears us, providing a crucial theological framework for the conditions under which our prayers are answered.
Romans 8:26-27This passage speaks to the Spirit's intercession when we don't know how to pray, highlighting that God understands the heart's true desires, even when they aren't perfectly articulated.
Matthew 7:7-8This earlier teaching by Jesus reinforces the idea that God responds to persistent seeking through prayer and that belief unlocks divine provision.
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.
The promise "all things, whatsoever you shall ask" isn't a blank check for anything we want. It's tied to asking specifically "in prayer" and "believing," implying these requests align with God's will and are offered with a deep trust that He hears and responds.
Right after Jesus dramatically cleansed the Temple and then cursed a fig tree that had only leaves and no fruit, his disciples were astonished by how quickly the tree withered. Jesus then used this event to teach them about the incredible power of faith, explaining that if they could believe and not doubt, they could even move mountains. This promise about receiving whatever they ask in prayer, provided they have faith, comes immediately after this demonstration of divine power.
Right after Jesus dramatically cleansed the Temple and then cursed a fig tree that had only leaves and no fruit, his disciples were astonished by how quickly the tree withered. Jesus then used this event to teach them about the incredible power of faith, explaining that if they could believe and not doubt, they could even move mountains. This promise about receiving whatever they ask in prayer, provided they have faith, comes immediately after this demonstration of divine power.
"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”" — The promise "all things, whatsoever you shall ask" isn't a blank check for anything we want. It's tied to asking specifically "in prayer" and "believing," implying these requests align with God's wil…
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Last reviewed October 2026