Matthew 17:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus says even the smallest real faith, placed in God, can do what looks impossible.
The Context of Matthew 17:20
Spoken just after the disciples failed to heal a suffering boy and asked Jesus privately why they could not (verses 14-19). A mustard seed was proverbially the tiniest of seeds, which makes His point land all the more.
What Does Matthew 17:20 Mean?
The disciples are discouraged. They tried to help and could not, and they want to know why. Jesus answers gently but plainly: the problem was their unbelief. Then He lifts their eyes with a picture. Faith the size of a mustard seed, the smallest seed they knew, is enough. With it they could speak to a mountain and see it move, and nothing would be impossible. What matters is the God in whom even a tiny faith is placed, the One for whom no obstacle is too great.
The wonder of this verse is that it takes the pressure off us. Faith is trust turned toward an almighty God, received as we look to Him rather than worked up by trying harder. A small seed grows because of the life within it and the soil around it, whatever its size. So our faith, however slight it feels, rests on Jesus, who alone makes the impossible possible. He invites us to bring Him the little we have and watch what He can do with it.
Matthew 17:20 in the Original Language
pistis (πίστις), 'faith' -- trust, confident reliance; here a trust placed in God, not a measure of our own strength.
How to Apply Matthew 17:20 Today
When our faith feels too small to matter, this verse reframes it. What counts is not the size of our trust but the greatness of the God we trust. We can bring Him even the little faith we have, knowing nothing is impossible for Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 17:20
What does Matthew 17:20 mean?
Jesus says even the smallest real faith, placed in God, can do what looks impossible.
What is the context of Matthew 17:20?
Spoken just after the disciples failed to heal a suffering boy and asked Jesus privately why they could not (verses 14-19). A mustard seed was proverbially the tiniest of seeds, which makes His point land all the more.
How can I apply Matthew 17:20 today?
When our faith feels too small to matter, this verse reframes it. What counts is not the size of our trust but the greatness of the God we trust. We can bring Him even the little faith we have, knowing nothing is impossible for Him.