But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

MARK 11:26KJV
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Mark 11:26 (KJV)

What does Mark 11:26 mean?

Mark 11:26 says that if you do not forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive your own wrongdoings. The verse connects your willingness to forgive with God’s willingness to forgive you.

In Mark 11:26, Jesus is speaking to his disciples during his final week in Jerusalem, teaching them about prayer and faith. This verse comes right after Jesus encourages them to pray with trust, and he adds that forgiving others is essential when they pray. The verse highlights the importance of forgiveness as a condition for receiving forgiveness from God.

The Greek behind Mark 11:26

  • ἀφῆτε (aphēte, “forgive”): This word means to let go, release, or pardon. The verse repeats this word several times, stressing that forgiving others is not optional but central to the relationship with God.
  • παραπτώματα (paraptōmata, “trespasses”): This word refers to offenses, wrongdoings, or missteps. The verse uses it to describe the things for which people need forgiveness, making the teaching very practical and personal.
  • οὐδὲ (oude, “neither”): This word strongly links your action (forgiving) with God’s action (forgiving you), showing a direct connection rather than a loose association.

Why Mark 11:26 matters

  • Mark 11:26 clears up the idea that forgiveness from God is automatic; Jesus ties it directly to your willingness to forgive others.
  • The verse emphasizes that forgiveness is not just a private matter between you and God but is deeply connected to your relationships with other people.
  • In the context of Jesus’ teaching on prayer, Mark 11:26 shows that the condition of your heart toward others affects your relationship with God and the effectiveness of your prayers.

Where else these words appear

“trespasses” Greek G3900 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

“neither” Greek G3761 · used in 125 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
  • Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

“do” Greek G863 · used in 133 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
  • Luke 11:42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.