Matthew 17:20
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.
Matthew 17:20 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse "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" is a powerful message about the importance of faith in achieving the impossible. Jesus is addressing his disciples and highlighting the significance of having even a small amount of faith. The comparison to a mustard seed, which is one of the smallest seeds, emphasizes that even the tiniest amount of faith can lead to miraculous outcomes. By expressing belief and trust in God, individuals can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The image of moving a mountain symbolizes the ability to conquer any challenge through unwavering faith. This verse serves as a reminder that with faith, all things are possible, and nothing is beyond reach for those who truly believe in the power of God.
Theological Overview
One of the key theological interpretations of this passage from Matthew 17:20 focuses on the relationship between faith and the power of God. Jesus' statement about faith as small as a mustard seed highlights the idea that even the smallest amount of genuine belief can lead to miraculous outcomes. The mustard seed was the smallest seed known in Jesus' time, emphasizing the fact that faith does not need to be grand or complicated to be effective. In this context, Jesus chastises the disciples for their lack of faith, attributing their inability to perform miracles to their unbelief. The phrase "nothing shall be impossible unto you" underscores the limitless power available to those who have unwavering faith in God. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God's ability to work in miraculous ways, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Matthew 17:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible
He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
Douay-Rheims
But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Iesus said vnto them, Because of your vnbeliefe: for verely I say vnto you, if ye haue faith as much as is a graine of mustarde seede, ye shall say vnto this mountaine, Remooue hence to yonder place, and it shall remoue: and nothing shalbe vnpossible vnto you.