Mark 11:24Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Additionally, the Lord instructs: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). This guidance emphasizes the importance of pursuing an understanding of truth as a precursor to everything (Heb. 10:26) and promotes the proper practices of spiritual discipline. It illustrates that believers ought to earnestly seek a singular divine knowledge and a virtuous life, enhanced by their deeds.

On the journey toward knowing God and embodying virtue, believers encounter many experiences: liberation from passions, perseverance through trials, engagement with the virtues, pathways to their fulfillment, a shift away from earthly inclinations, distancing from sensual attachments, and a total withdrawal of the mind from all created things. To summarize, all that involves abstaining from evil and ignorance, and that leads to the successful attainment of knowledge and virtue is immeasurable. The Lord also teaches, "And whatever you do not ask in faith, you shall receive" (Matt. 21:22). He states that the faithful should seek and request only that which aims toward acquiring knowledge of God and virtue. This pursuit alone is truly beneficial, and it is this alone that the Lord grants to those who ask. Anyone who, through genuine faith—as a direct communion with God—seeks everything associated with such unity will undoubtedly receive it. Conversely, anyone seeking either these things or anything else without this foundation will not find fulfillment. This person does not possess true faith; instead, as an unbeliever, they merely pursue personal glory through divine means.

To prevent the disciples from interpreting this act solely as a reflection of His personal frustration, the Lord reminded them of His earlier teaching: when they ask God for anything, they must do so in faith and with complete reconciliation with any adversaries. He then affirmed that not only would such a wonder as the fig tree’s withering be feasible for them, but an even greater miracle could be achieved.

What then is the significance of cursing the innocent fig tree? Its true meaning is illuminated by the Lord's parable regarding the fig tree (Luke 13:6). The fig tree, which produced only leaves, symbolizes the Jewish nation, whose devotion was limited to mere outward observance of rituals without yielding any genuine fruit deserving of notice. This tree, failing to fulfill its intended purpose by bearing no fruit, ultimately perishes; similarly, the chosen people, no longer aligned with their divine purpose, would face judgment. This fate had been foreseen from afar, and its moment of reckoning had now arrived. In essence, the withering of the fig tree serves as a parable illustrating God’s judgment upon the people of Judah—a judgment that the Lord enacted as a testament to His words, rather than merely verbal proclamation. At that time, the deeper implications may have been too profound for the disciples to grasp, but the revelation was forthcoming. The subsequent events would clarify whether the leaders of the people deserved such a judgment.

In regard to the authority of miracles, skeptics often question why neither the Apostles nor Jesus moved a single mountain. The One who could raise the lifeless and whose command was obeyed by wind and waves, who healed all ailments with a word, and who triumphed over death—He had the power to shift mountains at will and surely would have done so if it had been needed. This miracle-working power was bestowed on the Apostles, as noted in the Acts of the Apostles, yet it was not given for the entertainment of onlookers or the idle. Rather, it was intended for the fulfillment of God's will, and since there was no divine intent to move mountains, they did not pursue such an act.

It is important to clarify that the Apostles and other saints who performed miracles did so not by their own authority, but through the power of God. Miracles were accomplished through their prayers, as only God holds the true might of omnipotence. The Apostles were granted this ability at the onset of their mission, yet they faltered in healing a boy afflicted by demons because, at that moment, their faith in the omnipotent One who endowed them with such power was lacking (Matt. 17:19; Mark 9:28). If James and John had attempted to call down fire on the unwelcoming Samaritans (Luke 9:54), it appears that no fire would have descended, as Jesus pointed out that their miraculous gifts were meant to perform good, not to bring punishment.

This leads to the understanding that all miracles are realized by God, through His direct will or through the intercessions of those who possess notable righteousness and holiness. It is pertinent to mention the subject of miraculous icons here. Some individuals, lacking in understanding, mistakenly believe that the icons themselves enact miracles. This belief is both incorrect and perilous. It is incorrect because icons, as representations of the Savior, the Mother of God, or saints, do not hold the omnipotent power to control nature. It is dangerous because such a belief can lead to the idolatrous worship of icons as if they were divine themselves.

We honor holy icons, and there is no sin in this practice, contrary to the claims of certain sects. However, to believe that it is the icon itself performing miracles through the prayers of the faithful before it, rather than God acting through them, would violate the second commandment given on Sinai. Many miracles occur through the prayers of people—indeed, even those who are sinful—and these happen continuously, yet often go unnoticed. We might overlook the grace of God, mistaking these events for ordinary occurrences. It is typically the public, undeniable miracles that capture our attention. Therefore, the Lord performs these miracles before particularly revered icons, which are thus designated as miraculous, to remind us of His mercy and to draw us closer to Him.

He also emphasized the noble purpose for which such actions should be directed—peace and love for one another: have the faith of God—a faith rooted in the heart through His grace (Acts 3:16; Eph. 3:16; Eph. 2:8). He stated, truly, that anyone who says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart, but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them (Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6). However, as St. John Chrysostom noted, the disciples achieved much more than just remarkable miracles—such as healing the sick and raising the dead—they accomplished significant moral transformations, breaking down the mountains of polytheism and ancient misconceptions, ultimately leading the entire creation to Christ. Furthermore, according to the same saint, the Apostles possessed the ability to move mountains if it were necessary, and Jesus did not claim, “You will certainly do so,” but rather, “You can move it.” For this reason, I tell you that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. This miraculous ability, however, exists only in prayers directed towards the good of others, contributing to their peace and well-being, rather than causing harm, chaos, or hostility. As you pray, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses; but if you do not forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your trespasses. The resentment dwelling in one's heart leads to transgressions against the fundamental New Testament commandment of love for one another (John 13:34; 15:12, 17) and results in a loss of God’s grace. The Lord's teaching about forgiving offenses for the effectiveness of prayer was given not only to His disciples but also to all believers earlier, during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:14, 15).