Mark 11:23

“Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples immediately after cursing the fig tree and clearing the temple courts. He follows his command to "have faith in God" with a direct instruction about the power of undivided belief.

The words — The passage begins with ἀμὴν (amēn), rendered literally as "truly" or "amen," to mark divine assurance. It hinges on εἴπῃ (eipē), meaning "may say," which establishes the spoken command directed at the mountain.

The thread — This teaching on doubt-free faith parallels the mustard seed declaration in Matthew 17:20 and the fig tree account in Matthew 21:21. It aligns with John 15:7, which links answered requests to remaining in Christ and his words remaining in the believer.

Why it lands — The text requires a reader to remove internal doubt and speak with absolute conviction that God will act. It frames faith not as a feeling but as the practical condition for receiving what is asked.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Matthew 17:20 “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
John 15:7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Matthew 21:21 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.
John 14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Luke 17:6 And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.
James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac on the altar. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son,
Romans 4:18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.