Devine Scripture

Matthew 21:21

What does Matthew 21:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 21:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 21:21 means

Jesus used the disciples' amazement at the fig tree to teach a powerful lesson on faith. He declared that with genuine faith, free from doubt, they could achieve even greater feats, like moving mountains. This statement reveals the incredible power available to believers when they trust God completely. It underscores that the miracle was not merely about judgment, but also an object lesson in transformative faith.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus in answer said to them, Truly I say to you, If you have faith, without doubting, not only may you do what has been done to the fig-tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and put into the sea, it will be done.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus answering said to them, `Verily I say to you, If ye may have faith, and may not doubt, not only this of the fig-tree shall ye do, but even if to this mount ye may say, Be lifted up and be cast into the sea, it shall come to pass;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Jesus answering, said to them: Amen, I say to you, if you shall have faith and stagger not, not only this of the fig tree shall you do, but also if you shall say to this mountain, Take up and cast thyself into the sea, it shall be done.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse introduces Jesus' direct teaching on faith, spoken in response to the disciples' marveling at the withered fig tree. It connects the seemingly negative miracle to a positive spiritual principle, leading directly into a broader promise about prayer. This teaching expands the disciples' understanding of divine power and their potential role in God's work.

v.20And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How did the fig tree immediately wither away?

v.21This passage

v.22And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 11:22

    And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

  • 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.

  • Luke 17:6

    And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea; and it would obey you.

  • Romans 4:19

    And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

  • James 1:6

    But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

  • Matthew 17:20

    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.

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