Mark 11:22

THE MESSAGE

Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins." Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?" Jesus responded, "First let me ask you a question. Answer my question and then I'll present my credentials. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans? Tell me." They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say ‘heaven,' he'll ask us why we didn't believe John; if we say ‘humans,' we'll be up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet." They decided to concede that round to Jesus. "We don't know," they said. Jesus replied, "Then I won't answer your question either."

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Jesus replied to them, “Have faith in God.

King James Version (1611)
And Iesus answering, saith vnto them, Haue faith in God.

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

English Standard Version
And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.

New American Standard Bible
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.

New Century Version
Jesus answered, "Have faith in God.

Amplified Bible
Jesus replied, "Have faith in God [constantly].

New American Standard Bible (1995)
And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Jesus answered and *said to them, "Have faith in God.

Berean Standard Bible
"Have faith in God," Jesus said to them.

Contemporary English Version
Jesus told his disciples: Have faith in God!

Complete Jewish Bible
He responded, "Have the kind of trust that comes from God!

Darby Translation
And Jesus answering says to them, Have faith in God.

Easy-to-Read Version
Jesus answered, "Have faith in God.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And Iesus answered, and said vnto them, Haue the faith of God.

George Lamsa Translation
Jesus answered and said to them, If you have faith in God,

Good News Translation
Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.

Lexham English Bible
And Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God!

Literal Translation
And answering, Jesus said to them, Have faith of God.

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

Bible in Basic English
And Jesus, answering, said to them, Have God's faith.

Hebrew Names Version
Yeshua answering said to them, "Have faith in God.

International Standard Version
Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God!

Etheridge Translation
And Jeshu answered and said to them, Let there be in you the faith of Aloha.

Murdock Translation
And Jesus replied, and said to them: Have faith in God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Iesus aunswered, and sayde vnto them: haue fayth in God.

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

World English Bible
Jesus answering said to them, "Have faith in God.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And Jesus answering saith to them, Have faith in God.

Weymouth's New Testament
Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Jhesus answeride and seide to hem, Haue ye the feith of God;

Update Bible Version
And Jesus answering says to them, Have faith in God.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Jesus answering, saith to them, Have faith in God.

New English Translation
Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God.

New King James Version
So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.

New Living Translation
Then Jesus said to the disciples, "Have faith in God.

New Life Bible
Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God.

New Revised Standard
Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, answering, Jesus saith unto them - Have faith in God.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And Jesus answering, saith to them: Have the faith of God.

Revised Standard Version
And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And Iesus answered and sayde vnto them: Have confides in God.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jesus answering saith to them, `Have faith of God;

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Iesus answered, and sayde vnto them: Haue faith in God.

Mace New Testament (1729)
but Jesus replied, and said to them, rely upon God.

Simplified Cowboy Version
Jesus didn't so much as turn his head as he said, "Have faith in God.

Contextual Overview

¹²As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!" And his disciples overheard him. ¹⁵They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text: My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You've turned it into a hangout for thieves. ¹⁸ The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. ¹⁹ At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city. ²⁰In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!" ²²Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins." Then when they were back in Jerusalem once again, as they were walking through the Temple, the high priests, religion scholars, and leaders came up and demanded, "Show us your credentials. Who authorized you to speak and act like this?" Jesus responded, "First let me ask you a question. Answer my question and then I'll present my credentials. About the baptism of John—who authorized it: heaven or humans? Tell me." They were on the spot, and knew it. They pulled back into a huddle and whispered, "If we say ‘heaven,' he'll ask us why we didn't believe John; if we say ‘humans,' we'll be up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet." They decided to concede that round to Jesus. "We don't know," they said. Jesus replied, "Then I won't answer your question either." ²⁶Entering Jerusalem on a Colt When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: "Go to the village across from you. As soon as you enter, you'll find a colt tethered, one that has never yet been ridden. Untie it and bring it. If anyone asks, ‘What are you doing?' say, ‘The Master needs him, and will return him right away.'" They went and found a colt tied to a door at the street corner and untied it. Some of those standing there said, "What are you doing untying that colt?" The disciples replied exactly as Jesus had instructed them, and the people let them alone. They brought the colt to Jesus, spread their coats on it, and he mounted. The people gave him a wonderful welcome, some throwing their coats on the street, others spreading out rushes they had cut in the fields. Running ahead and following after, they were calling out, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in God's name! Blessed the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in highest heaven! He entered Jerusalem, then entered the Temple. He looked around, taking it all in. But by now it was late, so he went back to Bethany with the Twelve. As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find something for breakfast, but found nothing but fig leaves. (It wasn't yet the season for figs.) He addressed the tree: "No one is going to eat fruit from you again—ever!" And his disciples overheard him. They arrived at Jerusalem. Immediately on entering the Temple Jesus started throwing out everyone who had set up shop there, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of the bankers and the stalls of the pigeon merchants. He didn't let anyone even carry a basket through the Temple. And then he taught them, quoting this text: My house was designated a house of prayer for the nations; You've turned it into a hangout for thieves. The high priests and religion scholars heard what was going on and plotted how they might get rid of him. They panicked, for the entire crowd was carried away by his teaching. At evening, Jesus and his disciples left the city. In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, "Rabbi, look—the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!" Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Have: Mark 9:23, 2 Chronicles 20:20, Psalms 62:8, Isaiah 7:9, John 14:1, Titus 1:1

faith in God: or, the faith of God, Colossians 2:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 20:8 - speak Joshua 10:14 - the Lord 2 Kings 2:10 - Thou hast Matthew 14:29 - he walked Matthew 21:21 - If ye have Luke 8:50 - believe Luke 17:6 - If Acts 3:16 - through 1 Corinthians 12:9 - faith 1 Corinthians 13:2 - and though I have all James 1:6 - let James 5:15 - the prayer

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And Jesus answering, saith unto them,.... To all the disciples; for what Peter said, he said in the name of them all; and according to Matthew, the disciples said, "how soon is the fig tree withered away?" To which this is an answer; though the Arabic version renders it, "to him"; as if the words were directed particularly to Peter:

have faith in God; or "the faith of God", so the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions; that is, exercise, and make use of that faith which has God for its author, which is the work of God, and of his operation, a free grace gift of his; and which has God for its object; and is supported by his power, and encouraged by his goodness, truth, and faithfulness: and so the Arabic version renders it, "believe in God"; not only that such things may be done, as the drying up a fig tree, but those that are much greater.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 21:18-22.

Mark 11:11

Into the temple - Not into the edifice properly called “the temple,” but into the “courts” which surrounded the principal edifice. Our Saviour, not being of the tribe of Levi, was not permitted to enter into the holy or most holy place; and when, therefore, it is said that he went into the “temple,” it is always to be understood of the “courts” surrounding the temple. See the notes at Matthew 21:12.

And when he had looked round about upon all things - Having seen or examined everything. He saw the abominations and abuses which he afterward corrected. It may be a matter of wonder that he did not “at once” correct them, instead of waiting to another day; but it may be observed that God is slow to anger; that he does not “at once” smite the guilty, but waits patiently before he rebukes and chastises.

The eventide - The evening; the time after three o’clock p. m. It is very probable that this was before sunset. The religious services of the temple closed at the offering of the evening sacrifice, at three o’clock, and Jesus probably soon left the city.

Mark 11:13, Mark 11:14

Afar off - See the notes at Matthew 21:19.

Mark 11:15-24

See the notes at Matthew 21:12-22.

Mark 11:16

Any vessel - Any vessel used in cooking, or connected with the sale of their articles of merchandise.

Mark 11:18

All the people were astonished - He became popular among them. The Pharisees saw that their authority was lessened or destroyed. They were therefore envious of him, and sought his life.

His doctrine - His teaching. He taught with power and authority so great that the multitudes were awed, and were constrained to obey.

Mark 11:21

Thou cursedst - To curse means to devote to destruction. This is its meaning here. It does not in this place imply blame, but simply that it should be destroyed.

Mark 11:22

Have faith in God - Literally, “Have the faith of God.” This may mean, have strong faith, or have confidence in God; a strong belief that he is able to accomplish things that appear most difficult with infinite ease, as the fig-tree was made to wither away by a word.

Mark 11:25

And when ye stand praying - When ye pray. It seems that the posture in prayer was sometimes standing and sometimes kneeling. God looks upon “the heart” rather than upon our position in worship; and if the heart be right, any posture may be proper. It cannot be doubted, however, that in private, in the family, and wherever it can be conveniently done, the kneeling posture is more proper, as expressing more humility and reverence, and more in accordance with Scripture examples. Compare Psalms 95:6; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Daniel 6:10; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; Acts 9:40. Yet a subject like this may be made of too much consequence, and we should be careful that anxiety about a mere form should not exclude anxiety about a far more important matter - the state of the soul.

Forgive ... - See the notes at Matthew 6:12, Matthew 6:25.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 22. Have faith in God — Εχετε πιϚιν θεου is a mere Hebraism: have the faith of God, i.e. have strong faith, or the strongest faith, for thus the Hebrews expressed the superlative degree; so the mountains of God mean exceeding great mountains-the hail of God, exceeding great hail, &c.