Finding the Fig-Tree Withered.

  22 And Jesus answering saith {^a answered and said} unto them, ^b Have faith in God.

  23 Verily I say unto you, ^a If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye {^b whosoever} shall say unto this mountain

[Olivet], Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it. ^a it shall be done.

  22 And   ^b 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, {^a ye shall ask in prayer,} ^b believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. {^a believing, ye shall receive.}

[Jesus here lays down the broad general rule in the application of which we must be guided by other Scriptures. The rule is, indeed, liberal and gracious, and the limitations are just and reasonable. We must not expect to obtain that which it is unlawful for us to desire ( James 4:2 James 4:3 ), or which it is unwise for us to seek ( 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 ), nor must we selfishly run counter to the will of God ( Luke 22:42 ; 1 John 5:14 1 John 5:15 ), nor must we expect that God shall perform must pray to God in full remembrance of the relationship between us, we must consider that he is the Ruler and we his subjects, and are not to think for one moment that by faith we can alter this eternal, unchangeable relation. The disciples whom Jesus addressed were very soon to enter upon a task which would seem to them as difficult as the removal of mountains. The license and immorality of paganism, and the bigotry and prejudice of Judaism, would seem insurmountable obstacles in their pathway to success. They needed to be assured that the power of faith was superior to all these adverse forces, and that the judgments of God could accomplish in a moment changes which apparently could not be wrought out in the tedious course of years. As we to-day look back upon this promise of Christ we can see that the mountains then standing have, indeed, been removed; and that which seemed vigorous and flourishing has been blasted in a day.]

  23 Verily I say unto you, ^a If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye {^b whosoever} shall say unto this mountain

  22 And   ^b 24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, {^a ye shall ask in prayer,} ^b believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. {^a believing, ye shall receive.}

  ^b 25 And whensoever ye stand [a customary attitude-- Luke 18:13 ] praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. [Forgiveness has already been enjoinedtfg.cgi?section=T#">Section Here our Lord emphasizes the need of forgiveness because he had just performed a miracle of judgment, and he wished his disciples to understand that they must not exercise their miraculous gifts with a vengeful, unforgiving spirit. They must suffer evil and not retaliate with miracles of judgment.]