New Testament · Gospel

Luke 17:6

Faith Like a Mustard Seed

And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. Luke 17:6 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Luke 17:6, in plain English

Jesus's answer is unexpected: if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could tell a mulberry tree to uproot and plant itself in the sea — and it would obey.

Why it's here

They asked for more faith; Jesus said you don't need more — you need the real thing. Even a tiny amount of genuine faith can move mountains.

Who's speaking

Jesus reframes the whole conversation: it's not about the size of your faith, but whether it's real.

Where it sits in the story

A mustard seed is almost invisible. But Jesus says that's enough. The power isn't in the size of your faith — it's in the size of your God.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Jesus responds that faith the size of a 'mustard seed' (kokkon sinapeōs) — the smallest known seed in Palestine — could uproot a 'mulberry tree' (sykaminō) and plant it in the sea. The point is not the quantity of faith but its genuine presence.

Language and setting

The sycamine (mulberry) tree was known for deep, extensive roots, making it proverbially difficult to uproot. Jesus's hyperbole teaches that even minimal genuine faith accesses unlimited divine power.

Voice

Jesus redirects the disciples' focus from the quantity of faith to its quality and authenticity.

Significance

Jesus's reply surprises: you don't need more faith — you need real faith. Even the tiniest genuine faith can accomplish the seemingly impossible.

In context

Luke 17:4–8

4Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to say, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

6And the Lord answered, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

7Which of you whose servant comes in from plowing or shepherding in the field will say to him, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’?

8Instead, won’t he tell him, ‘Prepare my meal and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you may eat and drink’?

Read all of Luke 17 — Ten lepers are cleansed, but only one returns to say thank you — and he's the outsider. Jesus teaches that the kingdom comes without warning.

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