Which Mountain and Sea is Jesus Talking About?

Dr. Couch, when Jesus said in Mark 11:23 that whoever tells the mountain to be taken up and cast into the sea, is He referring to the Mount of Olives and the Dead Sea? ANSWER:  Both the Mount of Olives and the Dead Sea were visible from where He was speaking. Remember, He is using exaggeration as we would even today. He was speaking in an extreme illustration in order to get a point across. Christ is speaking about doubt in the heart. He wants people to believe that they can indeed "Have faith in God" (v. 22). The individual can "believe that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him" (v. 23b).    With common sense (and this is a key principle in Bible interpretation), one would know that the Lord is speaking about the extent of trust one should have with the things of God. He is really talking about spiritual issues not physical issues that are overblown. To see spiritual things happen is far more important than seeing simply physical things come to pass. And it takes a lot of spiritual trust to believe that God can change the hearts of people. Jesus went on: "I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you" (v. 24).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6/10)