Mark 11:25 Meaning and Explanation

Mark 11:25 ties prayer to forgiveness. Jesus teaches that when we pray we must forgive those who have wronged us, so that our Father may forgive us. He says this immediately after His teaching on believing prayer.

The setting is prayer itself: "when ye stand praying." Standing was a common posture for prayer in that day. In that very moment of approaching God, Jesus says, "forgive, if ye have ought against any." If we are holding a grievance against someone, the time to release it is now, as we come before the Father. The reason is striking: "that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." Jesus draws a direct connection between the mercy we extend and the mercy we receive. This recognizes that a heart unwilling to forgive is closed to the very grace it seeks, rather than earning God's forgiveness as a reward. We cannot ask God to pardon us while refusing to pardon others; the two flow together. The verse calls the praying person to come with open hands, releasing resentment toward others even as we ask God to release us. Forgiveness given and forgiveness received belong together.