Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν. ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν, ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως, ἐρεῖτε τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ, καὶ μεταβήσεται· καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν. (Matthew 17:20)
In this verse, Jesus rebukes unbelief and sets forth a conditional statement that blends vivid hyperbole with theological assurance. The Greek construction moves from the cause of failure to the potential of faith, using precise grammar to underscore divine empowerment.
Cause Stated: διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν
The preposition διά with the accusative expresses the reason: “because of your unbelief.” The definite article τήν makes ἀπιστίαν specific—this is not generic doubt, but a concrete failure in the present situation. Placed before the explanatory discourse, it stands as the stark cause behind the disciples’ inability.
Solemn Introduction: ἀμὴν… λέγω ὑμῖν
The formula ἀμὴν… λέγω ὑμῖν is a solemn assurance marker used by Jesus to guarantee the truth of what follows. The fronting of ἀμήν (a Hebrew loanword meaning “truly”) heightens the gravity of the statement.
Conditional Clause: ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως
This is a third-class conditional clause: ἐὰν + present subjunctive (ἔχητε, “if you have”). The simile ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως (“as a mustard seed”) emphasizes smallness of faith, not its quantity, as the key—faith’s efficacy lies in its object, not its magnitude.
Main Clause: ἐρεῖτε… καὶ μεταβήσεται
The future indicative ἐρεῖτε (“you will say”) introduces the outcome of the condition. The direct speech τῷ ὄρει τούτῳ, μετάβηθι ἐντεῦθεν ἐκεῖ (“to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’”) is an imperative command in the second person singular (μετάβηθι, aorist imperative of μεταβαίνω).
The following future middle indicative μεταβήσεται (“it will move”) affirms the mountain’s obedience. This is prophetic hyperbole, a Semitic idiom for accomplishing the humanly impossible.
Universal Negative Future: καὶ οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν
The strong negation οὐδέν (“nothing”) with the future indicative ἀδυνατήσει (“will be impossible”) seals the promise. The dative ὑμῖν marks the beneficiaries—nothing will be impossible for you. The grammar conveys absolute certainty.
Syntax Table: From Cause to Possibility
| Greek Phrase | Grammar Role | Interpretive Insight |
|---|---|---|
| διὰ τὴν ἀπιστίαν ὑμῶν | Causal prepositional phrase | Identifies the reason for failure |
| ἐὰν ἔχητε πίστιν | Third-class condition | States the condition for divine action |
| ὡς κόκκον σινάπεως | Simile | Highlights potency of even the smallest faith |
| ἐρεῖτε… μετάβηθι | Future indicative + aorist imperative | Speech-act command leading to result |
| οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν | Universal negative future | Affirms limitless divine possibility |
Grammar as the Pathway of Faith
Matthew 17:20 moves from the blunt diagnosis of unbelief to the boundless potential of trusting God. The conditional syntax presents a clear choice, while the imagery of moving mountains uses hyperbolic expression to assure disciples that what God purposes cannot be hindered. The grammar turns faith from an abstract concept into a grammatical certainty with tangible outcomes.
