Mark 11:22–25

Context

In Mark 11, after entering Jerusalem, Jesus curses a fig tree that bears nothing but leaves (11:12–14) and drives out those buying and selling in the Temple in Jerusalem (11:15–19). The next morning, when Peter sees the tree withered from the roots and remarks on it in astonishment, Jesus answers the Twelve, and his reply forms this passage. Because the fig tree account brackets the Temple episode, these words are read in connection with the judgment on the Temple. The passage opens in verse 22 with "Have faith in God" and moves to mountain-moving faith in verse 23, confidence that prayer will be answered in verse 24, and prayer and forgiveness in verse 25. The phrase in verse 25, "if ye have ought against any," means "if you hold a grievance or resentment against anyone."

Interpretation

• Evangelical and Reformed readings: The emphasis falls on God as the object of faith. The saying about removing a mountain is taken as hyperbole for something that seems impossible, and answers to prayer are understood to come within the will of God. The passage is read alongside 1 John 5:14, "if we ask any thing according to his will."
• Pentecostal and charismatic readings: Many preachers in the Pentecostal and charismatic traditions treat this passage as a basis for prayer that makes declarations in faith and for divine healing. They read "believe that ye receive them" as an active faith that lays hold of the answer in advance.
• Readings connected to the judgment on the Temple: Some biblical scholars take "this mountain" to refer to the Temple Mount, interpreting the passage to mean that a community of faith and prayer is established in place of the fruitless Temple system.
• Readings focused on forgiveness: Verse 25 is read as showing that prayer cannot be separated from one's relationships with others. In this respect it parallels the petition for forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer.

Debates and Issues

• The Word of Faith debate: Some in the so-called Word of Faith movement read the Greek of verse 22 as "Have the faith of God" and use it to support the claim that people can bring reality into being through their words. Critics associate this view with prosperity theology and describe it as a misunderstanding that amounts to placing faith in faith itself.
• Textual issues: Some manuscripts add after verse 25 a verse 26 stating that those who do not forgive will not be forgiven. Because this verse is absent from several early manuscripts, many modern translations place it in brackets or in a footnote. In addition, the past-tense "received" in verse 24 (rendered "receive" in the KJV) appears in the present or future tense in some manuscripts.
• Quotation out of context: Some observe that quoting verse 24 in isolation to mean "whatever you ask for will happen just as you ask" overlooks the call to have faith in God in verse 22 and the command to forgive in verse 25.

In the Korean Church

The words "believe that ye receive them" are widely quoted at revival meetings, during periods of pledged prayer, and in times of praying aloud in unison to strengthen confidence in prayer. Verse 25 is also frequently used in sermons urging reconciliation and forgiveness.

Related Passages

• Matthew 21:21–22
• James 1:6–7
• 1 John 5:14–15
• Luke 11:2–4