“Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”– Matthew 21:21 (KJV)
“Then Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, “May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,” and it will happen.’– Matthew 21:21 (NLT)
“But Jesus was matter-of-fact: ‘If you embrace this kingdom life and don’t doubt God, you’ll be able to do all the things I’m doing and even greater things. You’ll talk to mountains, and they’ll move. You’ll sag to a tree, “Get lost!” and it will get lost.’– Matthew 21:21 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 21:21 Mean?
The verse from Matthew 21:21 encapsulates a powerful message about faith. When Jesus spoke these words, He was addressing His disciples and illustrating the incredible capability of faith. Essentially, Jesus was telling them that sincere faith can conquer obstacles, much like moving mountains. In this context, the mountain symbolizes the insurmountable challenges or barriers we might face in life.
This message encourages us to reflect on our understanding of faith. Faith is more than just believing in something; it requires trust and conviction without doubt. Jesus emphasizes that doubt can undermine our potential to accomplish great things through our faith. We are prompted to examine the areas of our lives where doubt creeps in and challenges our faith. By fostering a faith-filled mindset, we are more likely to achieve our dreams and overcome obstacles.
Matthew 21:21 Explanation and Commentary
When Jesus spoke of doing things like moving mountains, He did not mean this in a literal sense. Instead, He was communicating a spiritual truth about the scope of faith. This is a radical idea. Other teachings throughout the Bible encourage us to have genuine faith that moves us beyond our limitations. For instance, Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as being certain of what we hope for and sure of what we do not see.
In practical terms, we can consider situations in our own lives where we might feel stuck. Perhaps we are facing a daunting challenge at school, work, or even in relationships. Jesus invites us to exercise faith in those moments. Faith allows us to envision pathways where there might seem to be none. With faith, we gain the confidence to act against all odds.
Let us relate this teaching to prayer. In Matthew 21:22, right after verse 21, Jesus continues to explain that whatever we ask in prayer with faith will be granted to us. This shows a deep connection between our expressions of faith and what we hope to receive through divine intervention. It highlights the reciprocal relationship between faith and action – we must not only believe but also engage earnestly through prayer and perseverance. This parallels James 2:26, where it states, “faith without works is dead.” Action coupled with faith is instrumental in achieving the results we seek.
Context of Matthew 21:21
To fully appreciate Matthew 21:21, we need to look at the context surrounding it. This incident occurs shortly after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He has displayed authority, healing the sick and performing miracles. The fig tree that Jesus curses earlier in Matthew 21 serves as an illustration of unfruitfulness, symbolizing a lack of faith among the people.
In this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the significance of faith in relation to His ministry. He wants to assure them that they will not only witness miracles but will also be empowered to perform their own through faith. This was essential as they prepared for their mission to spread the message of Christ after His resurrection.
The expectant attitude of the disciples at this time adds layers to our understanding. They were witnessing remarkable occurrences, and naturally, they would be curious about their role and capacity in these divine acts. Jesus wanted to instill confidence in them that their faith could yield similar results, encouraging them to believe in their potential. We can draw parallels to our own lives where, in moments of doubt, we can look back at the foundational teachings and experiences that remind us of the power of faith.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 21:21
Exploring the key phrases in Matthew 21:21 sheds light on its rich meaning. The phrase “if you have faith” speaks to the condition required. Not just any faith, but a genuine, unyielding belief that goes beyond superficial trust. When we encounter life’s mountains, it is not only about wishing for them to move, but about our intrinsic belief that they can. This belief is the driving force that can lead to action.
The mention of “doubt” warrants our attention as well. We must recognize that doubt is a natural human experience; however, it can hinder our ability to receive God’s promises. Both fear and faith cannot coexist. Therefore, we must confront instances where doubt challenges our faith.
Furthermore, the statement “you will say to this mountain” indicates authority. Just as Jesus spoke with authority, we too are given authority in our faith walk. Speaking with conviction empowers us to claim our gifts and realities. It indicates that we are invited into an active role of participating in God’s plan through our voices and actions. The call to remove mountains provides an illustration that expounds on faith manifesting in tangible results.
Finally, the combination, “it shall be done,” emphasizes the finality of God’s response to our prayers and faith. God’s will aligns with our belief, leading us to manifest results that might initially seem impossible. This serves as a reminder that God’s commitment to us is rooted in His faithfulness.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 21:21
There are numerous lessons we can take away from Matthew 21:21. Firstly, we learn about the radical nature of faith. It calls us to believe in possibilities that are beyond our understanding. We should not underestimate our capacity to influence change through prayer and action. For example, there are teachers who have believed in their students to the extent of seeing them flourish even when others doubted.
Next, we gain insight into the importance of diligence in prayer. As we learn to express our desires to God, we nurture our faith in His ability to act. Engaging with God through prayer provides opportunities for growth and understanding. We can observe how pivotal prayer was in the lives of biblical figures, like Daniel or Elijah, whose petitions led to incredible changes in their societies.
In addition, the encouragement to speak to our mountains teaches us about advocating for what we believe. When we express our hopes and desires boldly, we align ourselves with God’s purpose and step into an identity of empowerment and authority that we hold as believers.
Lastly, the concept of communal faith compels us to gather together in prayer and belief. As a community, we can collectively face challenges with faith, much like how the early church faced persecution while supporting each other through prayer and strength. Together, we can pray for healing, breakthrough, and guidance and see those mountains move.
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on Matthew 21:21, let’s embrace the challenge of living with unwavering faith. We are reminded that faith is not just a passive belief; it is an active force that brings change and manifests God’s promises. It empowers us to face challenges differently, knowing that we possess the ability to influence and transform environments around us.
We can take encouragement in the words of 1 John 5:14, which states, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” With this assurance, we can boldly approach our good Father, trusting in His goodness and the power of our prayers. As we navigate life, let’s commit to encouraging one another to hold on to faith, break down doubt, and practice speaking to our mountains.
If you’re inspired to learn more about faith, consider exploring the story of Jesus in Matthew 11 and other lessons along the way. Let’s carry this message of hope and empowerment in our hearts.