In Mark 11:23, Jesus makes a profound statement about the power of faith: “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.”
To understand the full meaning of this verse, it’s important to examine the context. Jesus and His disciples were passing by the Mount of Olives on their way to Jerusalem when Jesus saw a fig tree and cursed it because it had no fruit (Mark 11:12-14). The next day when they passed by again, the disciples saw the fig tree withered from the roots (Mark 11:20-21).
This provided an opportunity for Jesus to teach the disciples about faith. He told them “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). Then He made the statement about commanding a mountain to be thrown into the sea. He further said in verse 24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
So in this passage, Jesus was using the visual of commanding a mountain to dramatically demonstrate the power that faith in God can have. The key points are:
- Jesus was speaking in hyperbole – exaggerating to make a point. He was not teaching that we can literally command physical mountains around.
- However, He was teaching that with strong faith in God, we can figuratively “move mountains” – accomplishing things that seem impossible to us.
- This relates to prayer – as we believe and pray in faith according to God’s will, God can do amazing things thought impossible.
1. The Power of Faith
The main point Jesus was emphasizing is the incredible power of faith. He used the visual of commanding a mountain to be moved into the sea to illustrate how, with strong faith in God, things that seem impossible to us can be done.
Obviously Jesus was speaking figuratively here about the power of faith in what God can do. He was not saying we can literally command physical mountains to be torn from the earth and thrown into the sea. But we shouldn’t dismiss His words as just a metaphor with no relevance to our lives.
Jesus was teaching that with faith in God, we can see great things accomplished for His Kingdom. As He said in Matthew 19:26, “with God all things are possible.” There are many examples in the Bible where the people of God did amazing things through faith:
- Moses parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14)
- Joshua commanding the sun to stand still (Joshua 10:12-14)
- Elijah calling down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-38)
- Peter and John healing the crippled beggar (Acts 3:1-10)
When Jesus talked about moving mountains, He was referring to obstacles or challenges we face that seem overwhelming to us. With strong faith in God and the power of the Holy Spirit working through us, these figurative “mountains” can be overcome (1 Corinthians 13:2).
2. The Power of Prayer
Jesus tied this statement about moving mountains to the power of prayer. After saying that someone with faith could move a mountain, He gave this assurance in Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Faith and prayer are closely connected. We are to pray for God’s will to be done, while also believing that He can bring it to pass. James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Through believing prayer, we can see God accomplish amazing things.
Mountains don’t literally get thrown into the sea every time we pray. But as we pray persistently according to God’s will, obstacles can be removed, situations can change, health can be restored, and hearts can be transformed. Ephesians 3:20 affirms that God “is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.”
In John 14:12-14, Jesus told His disciples: “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” Again, we see the connection between faith in God and prayer.
Of course, we cannot treat God like a genie, making selfish requests and expecting Him to answer however we want. Our requests must be according to His will (1 John 5:14). But Scripture gives many examples of God miraculously answering prayer in powerful ways when people prayed in faith.
3. The Object of Our Faith
It’s important to note that when Jesus talked about the power of faith to move mountains, He specified faith in God. Our faith is effective because of who it is placed in – God, who is all-powerful and able to do the seemingly impossible.
Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Our faith itself is a gracious gift from God. He enables us to have faith in Him.
The centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 demonstrated great faith in Jesus’ authority to heal his servant with just a word. Jesus commended him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” The centurion’s faith was powerful because it was directed towards Jesus, the Son of God.
So the key is that our faith is not vague or impersonal, nor is it placed in our own desires or abilities. True faith is specific trust placed in the person and power of God through Jesus Christ. This is what empowers our prayers and enables us to overcome figurative mountains.
4. Removing Doubts
In Mark 11:23, Jesus said that along with faith, we should “not doubt in [our] heart, but believe that what [we] say will come to pass.” Doubt and unbelief can undermine our faith and prayers. James 1:6 warns, “Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
Now practically speaking, most of us will struggle with doubts at times when faced with challenging situations. Thankfully, God is gracious and compassionate. Even when we have weak faith, He invites us to pray, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). The disciples at times exhibited doubt even after seeing Jesus’ miracles (Matthew 14:31). But gradually their faith in Him grew stronger.
Asking God to help us overcome our doubts is a prayer He will answer. As we spend time in prayer and God’s Word, our knowledge of His faithfulness grows. This builds our trust in Him that He is able to do what we ask according to His will, even if it seems impossible to us.
5. According to God’s Will
It’s important to understand that the promise of God answering our prayers is not unconditional. Jesus specified that we must ask according to God’s will: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
God may say yes and miraculously do what we ask. He may say no for reasons we don’t understand but trust are for our good. Or He may answer yes, but in His perfect timing and different way than we expect. But as we pray according to His will, we can have confidence that He hears and will answer for our ultimate good and His glory.
Charles Spurgeon said, “The condition of answered prayer is now put before us – we must ask according to God’s will. We cannot expect Him to gratify our whims. There is nothing promised to caprice. When we are asking for that which is assuredly promised, we may then be sure our prayer will be heard.”
As Jesus wrapped up the teaching about moving mountains, He said “All things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). Now clearly this doesn’t mean God will give us anything we ask for if we just believe hard enough. But it does mean that when we pray in faith according to God’s will, we can trust Him to answer in His perfect way and time.
6. A Challenge to Greater Faith
Jesus’ bold statement about moving mountains was meant to stir His followers to stronger faith. F.B. Meyer said, “Our Lord used this expression to rouse in His disciples the faith that laughs at impossibilities.” It was a vivid way to show them that with faith in the all-powerful God, great things can be accomplished.
This remains a challenge for believers today. God invites us to pray boldly and believe Him for amazing things for the advancement of His Kingdom. As Hudson Taylor said, “All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on God being with them.”
When facing obstacles, difficulties, sickness, injustice, broken relationships, or other challenges, we can be tempted to rely on our own strength and give up hope. But Jesus challenges us – do we really believe in the power and goodness of God? Do we take Him at His word that He can move mountains if we pray and believe?
This verse reminds us that although we are weak and limited, our God is almighty and loving. With faith in Him, great things can happen. Lives can change. Addictions can be broken. Sickness can be healed. What seems impossible can become reality.
May this promise stir us to deepen our trust in God. As we pray and seek Him wholeheartedly, He will strengthen our faith. Then we will experience more of His power working through us. We may not literally move mountains or cast them into the sea. But through faith, God can help us overcome whatever obstacles stand in the way of His will being done.