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Book of Luke - Chapter 17 - Verse 6

17:6
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

Meaning

The verse "And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you," teaches us about the power of faith. The analogy of a mustard seed, one of the smallest seeds, signifies that even the tiniest amount of faith can achieve great things. In this passage, Jesus is emphasizing that with unwavering faith in God, believers can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. The imagery of uprooting a tree and planting it in the sea illustrates the limitless possibilities that faith can bring about. By trusting in the power of God, we can overcome challenges and achieve miraculous outcomes. This verse serves as a reminder that no obstacle is too great when we have faith in the divine power of God.

Theological Overview

In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of a mustard seed to emphasize the power and effectiveness of faith. The mustard seed was well-known in ancient Palestine for being one of the smallest seeds, yet it grows into a large tree. By comparing faith to a grain of mustard seed, Jesus is showing that even a small amount of true and sincere faith can produce powerful and transformative results. The mention of the sycamine tree, known for having deep roots, emphasizes the idea of uprooting and replanting through faith. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the idea that faith, when combined with God's power, has the ability to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This verse challenges believers to have unwavering faith in God's ability to work miracles in their lives, no matter how small their faith may seem.

American Standard Version

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.
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