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What the Bible Says About Mountain

Overview

The Bible addresses mountain across 58 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Closely related themes include Transfiguration, Vision, Mountains and Volcanoes. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Moses and Elijah.

Key Bible verses about mountain

Old Testament

Isaiah

Isaiah 13:2

Lift ye up a banner upon the high mountain, exalt the voice unto them, shake the hand, that they may go into the gates of the nobles.

Isaiah 18:3

All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.

Isaiah 30:17

One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. a beacon: or, a tree bereft of branches, or, boughs: or, a mast

Isaiah 64:1

Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,

Isaiah 64:2

As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! the melting: Heb. the fire of meltings

Isaiah 64:3

When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 4:8

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Matthew 5:1

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

Matthew 14:23

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Matthew 17:1

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Matthew 17:2

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Matthew 17:3

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Matthew 17:4

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Matthew 17:6

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Matthew 17:7

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Matthew 17:8

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Matthew 17:9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 21:21

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Matthew 28:16

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

Matthew 28:17

And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Mark

Mark 9:2

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

Mark 9:3

And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Mark 9:4

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:5

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Mark 9:6

For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

Mark 9:7

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 9:8

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Mark 9:9

And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Mark 9:10

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

Mark 11:23

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Luke

Luke 6:12

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

Luke 9:28

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. sayings: or, things

Luke 9:29

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Luke 9:30

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

Luke 9:31

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Luke 9:32

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

Luke 9:33

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

Luke 9:34

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Luke 9:35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Luke 9:36

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

People in the Bible and mountain

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying mountain for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 3:12, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew, Mark and Luke each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Jesus, Peter and Moses and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Transfiguration, Vision, Mountains and Volcanoes.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about mountain?

The Bible addresses mountain across 58 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew, Mark and Luke. Closely related themes include Transfiguration, Vision, Mountains and Volcanoes. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jesus, Peter, Moses and Elijah.

How many Bible verses are about mountain?

The Bible references mountain in 58 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention mountain?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 3:12: “And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with mountain?

Jesus, Peter, Moses, Elijah and Josiah.

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