What Does Mark 9:23 Mean in the King James?
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek word for “canst” and the word for “possible” share one root, so the verse ties possibility to trust.
THE MEANING
The verse places trust where the measure of possibility shifts beyond what you can manage by yourself. Trust here does not require certainty without strain: the next verse gives voice to belief that still asks for help.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that any uncertainty disqualifies you from help is undone: the next verse holds belief and unbelief in the same appeal.
THE ROOT
δύνασαι
dýnasaí
GROWS FROM
δυνα- (from δύναμαι, dýnamai)
to be able; to have capacity or power
“canst / possible” in this verse is dýnasaí. The Greek forms δύνασαι (dýnasaí, “you are able”) and δυνατά (dynatá, “possible”) belong to the same word family. English makes ability and possibility sound separate; the verse brings them together around the one who trusts.
ALSO GROWS
dýnamis: power, capacity
δύναμις
This branch shows the family can name the capacity behind an act, not just whether it can happen.
dynatós: able, powerful, possible
δυνατός
This form links personal ability with what is possible, echoing the verse’s paired words.
πιστεύοντι
pisteúonti
GROWS FROM
πιστ- (from πιστεύω, pisteúō)
to trust, rely on, place confidence in
“believeth” in this verse is pisteúonti. The verse names the person as “the one trusting,” not merely someone who holds an idea. The established sense of trust, as leaning your full weight, brings the word’s relational force into view.
ALSO GROWS
pístis: trust, reliance
πίστις
This noun names the trust that the verse places alongside what is possible.
pistós: trustworthy, faithful
πιστός
This related form connects trust with reliability, giving “believeth” a sense of placed reliance rather than bare agreement.
THE PATTERN
Trust shifts the measure of possibility beyond what personal understanding can hold.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.THE THREAD
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.“I believe” uses the same Greek word family as “believeth” in this verse; “unbelief” is a negated form of that family. The words hold trust and its struggle together, showing belief that still asks for help.
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