Mark 11:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus declares that whoever commands this mountain into the sea, not doubting but believing, will see it done.
What Does Mark 11:23 Mean?
Standing in sight of the Mount of Olives, Jesus reaches for the boldest image at hand: faith that does not waver could bid 'this mountain' be cast into the sea. Moving mountains was a vivid figure for doing the impossible, and Jesus presses it to its limit.
The weight falls on 'shall not doubt in his heart'—a heart undivided, fixed on God rather than on the obstacle. Such faith is not self-persuasion; it is confidence in the Father, who alone moves mountains. The disciples will soon face immovable things: official hostility, the cross, their own failures. Jesus arms them in advance—nothing that stands against God's purpose is permanent before believing prayer.
Mark 11:23 in the Original Language
diakrino (διακρίνω), 'doubt' -- to waver, divided within oneself between two verdicts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 11:23
What does Mark 11:23 mean?
Jesus declares that whoever commands this mountain into the sea, not doubting but believing, will see it done.