Devine Scripture

Matthew 17:20

What does Matthew 17:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 17:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 17:20 means

Jesus explains their failure was "because of your little faith." He then gives a striking illustration: even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, meaning no obstacle is impossible for those who truly believe. This teaching emphasizes that the size of faith isn't as critical as its genuine presence and the object upon which it rests, which is God's power. Their lack was not in the quantity of their faith, but its quality and direction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he says to them, Because of your little faith: for truly I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Be moved from this place to that; and it will be moved; and nothing will be impossible to you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus said to them, `Through your want of faith; for verily I say to you, if ye may have faith as a grain of mustard, ye shall say to this mount, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible to you,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he says to them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard [seed], ye shall say to this mountain, Be transported hence there, and it shall transport itself; and nothing shall be impossible to you.

Context

This verse provides Jesus' direct answer to the disciples' question about their inability to cast out the demon. It immediately follows their private inquiry. This teaching on faith, connecting it to the seemingly impossible task of moving a mountain, offers a profound lesson on spiritual power and sets the stage for the implication that prayer is essential for such power, as supplied by some manuscripts in verse 21.

v.19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?

v.20This passage

v.21

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 14:30

    But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.

  • Matthew 13:31

    Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

  • Hebrews 3:19

    And we see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief.

  • John 11:40

    Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

  • Matthew 21:21

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:2

    And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

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