When the disciples try to do miracles without calling upon Jesus’ name in faith, they are powerless. Only faith in Jesus’ name grants power to perform miracles. When they try to do wonders in their own strength, their unbelief (little faith
) keeps them powerless. Since Jesus’ authority surpasses all demonic power, his statement about little faith
does not mean degrees of faith, but true faith’s absence.
When the disciples attempt to perform miracles without calling upon the name of Jesus in faith, they are reduced to powerlessness. Only faith in the name of Jesus grants one the necessary power to perform miracles and opens the pathway to the future. Such faith is not like a mere starter
for the engine. It is the only motor that can drive the apostles daily through their journey in the faith. Whenever they try to work wonders in their own strength, their faith collapses. And because of their unbelief—or their little faith—they remain powerless. Since Jesus’ authority surpasses every demonic power, his statement concerning little faith
cannot refer to degrees of faith but to true faith’s absence.1
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”