Luke 17:5-6, a Lukan paraphrase of Mark 11:22-24, strikes…
““Luke 17:5-6, a Lukan paraphrase of Mark 11:22-24, strikes a surprising note of pessimism: "The apostles said to the Lord, 'Increase our faith!' And the Lord said, 'If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamine tree, "Be uprooted and planted in the sea!" and it would obey you."' The point is surely that, since such a thing is plainly never going to happen, you can see how little faith any one will ever have. It is like the rhetorical question of Luke 18:8, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" The same double bind has caught the father of the deaf-mute epileptic in Mark 9:24, "1 believe; help my unbelief!" (How striking that the single most poignant and insightful New Testament statement about faith is made not by the Messiah or an apostle or prophet, but just by ... some guy!)””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage uses exaggerated biblical imagery to illustrate how demanding expectations of faith are unrealistic, suggesting true faith is modest and humble.
In simple terms: Faith is often portrayed as impossible to achieve.
Key Takeaway
Seek realistic, humble faith.
Themes
faith
expectation
humility
religion
interpretation
Mood
contemplative
skeptical
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal belief
- religious practice
- scriptural study
- faith counseling
Key Concepts
theology
exaggeration
spiritual doubt
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “faith” mean to you personally?
- Can faith be both modest and powerful?
A Different Perspective
The hyperbolic example may discourage genuine spiritual growth.