Matthew 17:21

"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."

Key Reflection

This passage underscores the transformative power of faith, even in its smallest form, by contrasting it with unbelief. Jesus highlights that a mere grain of mustard seed faith can move mountains, metaphorically illustrating how faith can accomplish great things, while unbelief stands in stark opposition, preventing such miracles from happening.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 21. Howbeit this kind, etc. This kind means this kind of devils; this species of possession. Where they have had long possession; where they produce such painful, and fixed, and alarming effects, they can be expelled only in connexion with prayer and fasting. Goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. That is, in order to work miracles of this kind, to cast out devils in cases so obstinate and dreadful as this, faith of the highest kind is necessary. That faith is produced and kept vigorous only by much prayer, and by such abstinence from food as fits the mind for the highest exercises of religion, and leaves it free to hold communion with God.

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