“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
Parallel Translations
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“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
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Therfore take no thought sayinge: what shall we eate or what shall we drincke or wherwith shall we be clothed?
After all these thynges seke the getyls. For youre hevely father knoweth that ye have neade of all these thynges.
But rather seke ye fyrst the kyngdome of heuen and the rightwisnes therof and all these thynges shalbe ministred vnto you.
Care not then for the morow but let the morow care for it selfe: for the daye present hath ever ynough of his awne trouble.
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Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eate? or what shall we drinke? or where with shall we be clothed?
(For after all these things seeke the Gentiles) for your heauenly Father knoweth, that ye haue neede of all these things.
But seeke ye first the kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall be ministred vnto you.
Care not then for the morowe: for the morowe shall care for it selfe: the day hath ynough with his owne griefe.
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Cross-references (73)
- Luke 12:31 (v33) But seek God’s Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.
- Matthew 5:6 (v33) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
- John 6:27 (v33) Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the…
- Psalms 34:9-10 (v33) Oh fear Yahweh, you his saints, for there is no lack with those who fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who…
- Psalms 84:11-12 (v33) For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. Yahweh…
Show all 72 cross-references
- Mark 10:29-30 (v33) Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or…
- Romans 14:17 (v33) for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
- Proverbs 3:9-10 (v33) Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will…
- Proverbs 2:1-9 (v33) My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you, so as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to…
- Psalms 37:25 (v33) I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.
- Psalms 37:3 (vv31, 33) Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
- 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (v33) Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before Yahweh his God. In every work that he…
- Matthew 19:29 (v33) Everyone who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, will…
- Romans 8:31 (v33) What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
- Psalms 37:18-19 (v33) Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days…
- Colossians 1:13-14 (v33) who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love, in whom we have our redemption,…
- 1 Timothy 4:8 (v33) For bodily exercise has some value, but godliness has value in all things, having the promise of the life which is now, and of that which…
- Luke 18:29-30 (v33) He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for God’s…
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 (v33) For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Romans 1:17 (v33) For in it is revealed God’s righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, “But the righteous shall live by faith.”
- 1 Kings 3:11-13 (v33) God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself,…
- Philippians 3:9 (v33) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the…
- Matthew 13:44-46 (v33) “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found, and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he…
- 1 Corinthians 1:30 (v33) Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:
- Matthew 6:25 (v34) Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear.…
- Matthew 4:17 (v33) From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
- Matthew 3:2 (v33) “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!”
- Romans 10:3 (v33) For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the…
- 1 Kings 17:13 (v33) Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go and do as you have said; but make me a little cake from it first, and bring it out to me, and…
- John 14:27 (v34) Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be…
- Acts 28:31 (v33) preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
- 2 Peter 1:11 (v33) For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
- 2 Chronicles 1:7-12 (v33) That night, God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for what you want me to give you.” Solomon said to God, “You have shown great…
- 2 Thessalonians 1:5 (v33) This is an obvious sign of the righteous judgment of God, to the end that you may be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom, for which you also…
- Hebrews 13:5-6 (v34) Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any…
- Haggai 1:2-11 (v33) “This is what Yahweh of Armies says: These people say, ‘The time hasn’t yet come, the time for Yahweh’s house to be built.’ ” Then Yahweh’s…
- Leviticus 25:20-21 (v33) If you said, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;” then I will command my blessing on…
- Romans 3:21-22 (v33) But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness…
- John 16:33 (v34) I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- Jeremiah 23:6 (v33) In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely. This is his name by which he will be called: Yahweh our righteousness.
- Isaiah 45:24 (v33) They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in Yahweh.’ ” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him…
- Luke 1:6 (v33) They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 3:22 (v33) whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,
- 2 Peter 1:1 (v33) Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our…
- Acts 20:25 (v33) “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more.
- Haggai 2:16-19 (v33) Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty,…
- Luke 11:3 (v34) Give us day by day our daily bread.
- Lamentations 3:23 (v34) They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
- 1 Kings 17:14-16 (v34) For Yahweh, the God of Israel says, ‘The jar of meal will not run out, and the jar of oil will not fail, until the day that Yahweh sends…
- Matthew 6:11 (v34) Give us today our daily bread.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (v31) casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
- Luke 12:29 (v31) Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious.
- Matthew 6:8 (v32) Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him.
- 1 Kings 17:4-6 (v34) You shall drink from the brook. I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to Yahweh’s word; for he went…
- 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4 (v34) that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. For most certainly, when we were with…
- Acts 14:22 (v34) strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into…
- Exodus 16:18-20 (v34) When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered…
- 2 Kings 7:1-2 (v34) Elisha said, “Hear Yahweh’s word. Yahweh says, ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of…
- Matthew 4:4 (v31) But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”
- Luke 12:30 (v32) For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.
- Psalms 55:22 (v31) Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
- Matthew 15:33 (v31) The disciples said to him, “Where should we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
- Deuteronomy 33:25 (v34) Your bars will be iron and bronze. As your days, so your strength will be.
- 2 Chronicles 25:9 (v31) Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God…
- Ephesians 4:17 (v32) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,
- Luke 11:11-13 (v32) “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a…
- Psalms 78:18-31 (v31) They tempted God in their heart by asking food according to their desire. Yes, they spoke against God. They said, “Can God prepare a table…
- Leviticus 25:20-22 (v31) If you said, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;” then I will command my blessing on…
- Psalms 17:14 (v32) from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons…
- Matthew 20:25-26 (v32) But Jesus summoned them, and said, “You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over…
- 1 Thessalonians 4:5 (v32) not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God,
- Psalms 103:13 (v32) Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him.
72 distinct cross-references across this passage (73 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv31–34 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we…
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Ver. 31. Therefore take no careful thought, &c.] From the afore named grounds, our Saviour here resumeth and enforceth the former exhortation. Sollicitudo est aegritudo cum cogitatione, saith the orator (Cic. Tusc. 4). Carefulness is a tormentful plodding upon businesses. It is, say divines, an act of fear and distrust, taking up not only the head, but chiefly the heart, to the very dividing and disturbing thereof; causing a man inordinately and overly eagerly to pursue his desires, and to perplex himself likewise with doubtful and fearful thoughts about success. Now our Lord Christ would have none of his servants to care inordinately about anything, but that, when they have done what they can in obedience to him, they should leave the whole matter of good or evil success to his care. To care about the issue of our lawful endeavonrs is to usurp upon God, to trench far into his prerogative divine, to take upon us that which is proper to him. And it is no less a fault to invade God’s part than to neglect our own. Add hereunto, that God out of his wise justice ceaseth caring for such a one, and because he will not be beholden to God to bear his burden, he shall bear it alone, to the breaking of his back, or, at least, till he is much bowed and crushed under it. If we discern such as will put no trust in us, but love to stand upon their own ground, we give them good leave; as contrarily, the more we see ourselves trusted to, the more our fidelity is careful for them that stay upon us. Thus it is with our heavenly Father.
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Saying, What shall we eat? &c.] Our Saviour by these distrustful questions graphically expresseth the condition of covetous wretches, their endless projects and discourses in the air. They are full of words, and many questions, what they shall do, and how they and theirs shall be provided for? They have never done either moaning themselves, or consulting to no purpose, in things that either cannot be done at all or not otherwise. And so some understand that of our Saviour, Luk 12:29, Hang not in doubtful suspenses; after he had brought in the rich fool, Mat 6:17, reasoning and saying, "What shall I do?" &c. {a} And Solomon brings in such another fool, full of words, and he recites his words, "A man cannot tell what shall be, and what shall be after him, who can tell?" Ecc 10:14. And in the next chapter, Ecc 11:1; and so forward, he makes answer to many of these men’s frivolous queries and cavils, when moved to works of mercy. Old men specially are taxed of this weakness, who are apt to cark, because they fear, saith Plutarch, οτι ουκ εξουσι θρεψοντας και θαψοντας, that they shall not have enough to keep them and bring them well home, as they call it; whence some conceive that covetousness is called "the root of all evil," 1Ti 6:10, because as there is life in the root when no sap in the branches, so covetousness often liveth when other vices die and decay. It groweth, as they say the crocodile, as long as he liveth.
{a} μη μετεωρισεσθε. διελοθιζετο. Mire convenit verbum λογιζεσθαι, quoniam istius modi homines, &c. Beza.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv31, 33, 34 Our Lord repeateth the precept before given, Mat 6:25,…
Our Lord repeateth the precept before given, Mat 6:25, wherein he forbids not all moderate and provident thoughts for things necessary, but only such thoughts as shall argue our distrust in God, or perplex and distract our minds, or be inconsistent with our duty, and the employment of our thoughts about higher and better things. This he here presseth by two arguments.
1. Because these are the things which people spend all their thoughts upon, who are not aware that they have souls to take care for, or do not understand the providence of God, or have no such relation to God as Christians have, who call God Father.
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2. You have (saith he) a heavenly Father, who, being the God of heaven, knoweth what you need, and, being your Father, will also supply your needs.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On vv33–34 That is, let your first and chief care be…
That is, let your first and chief care be to promote the kingdom of grace in this world, and to secure the kingdom of glory in the next; and in order unto both, seek after an universal holiness and righteousness, both of heart and life, and then fear not the want of these outward comforts, they shall be added in measure, though not to satiate; for health, though not for surfeit.
Observe, 1. That Christians must here on earth set themselves to seek heaven or the kingdom of God.
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2. That God’s kingdom cannot be sought without God;s righteousness: holiness is the only way to happiness.
3. That heaven, or the kingdom of God, must be sought in the first place, with our chief care and principal endeavour.
4. That heaven being once secured by us, all earthly things will be superadded by God, as he sees needful and convenient for us.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv31–33 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek,....…
For after all these things do the Gentiles seek,.... Or "the nations of the world", as in Luk 12:30. The Syriac reads it so here: the phrase, "the nations of the world", is used of the Gentiles, in distinction from the Israelites, thousands of times in the Jewish writings; it would be endless to give instances. These knew not God, nor acknowledged his providence; the greater part of them thought, that the soul perished with the body; few of them thought, that anything remained after death; and they that did, spoke very doubtfully of it: wherefore it is no wonder, that such persons should greedily seek after, and be anxiously concerned for all these things, food, raiment, and riches, and a great plenty of them; since this is all the happiness they expect; and imagine, that this is to be acquired by their care, thought, diligence, and industry; having no regard to a superior being, and his all wise providence: but for the Jews, and so Christians, who have a divine revelation, the knowledge of God, and his providence, and of a future state after this life, to act the same part the Heathens do, is exceedingly unbecoming, absurd, and wicked: and besides, such greedy desires, immoderate care, and anxious solicitude, are altogether unnecessary;
for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Every word almost, carries in it an argument, to strengthen the faith of God's children, to encourage them to believe, that he will bestow upon them, whatever is needful, for meat, drink, and clothing: he is a "father", and will take care of his children; "their father"; they have interest in him, being related to him, and need not doubt of his paternal care, and affectionate regard to them: their "heavenly" Father, or their Father in heaven; who has all things at his command, who sits there, and does whatever he pleaseth on earth: "he knoweth that they have need"; he knows all things, all their straits, difficulties, wants and necessities; he knows they need every day, "all these things", food and raiment, and cannot do without them: and therefore they may depend upon it, that as it is in his power to relieve them, and their persons and cases are not unknown to him; he who stands in the relation of a father to them, will supply them with whatever is proper and convenient for them.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv31, 33, 34 Therefore take not thought - How kind are these…
Therefore take not thought - How kind are these precepts! The substance of which is only this, Do thyself no harm! Let us not be so ungrateful to him, nor so injurious to ourselves, as to harass and oppress our minds with that burden of anxiety, which he has so graciously taken off. Every verse speaks at once to the understanding, and to the heart. We will not therefore indulge these unnecessary, these useless, these mischievous cares. We will not borrow the anxieties and distresses of the morrow, to aggravate those of the present day. Rather we will cheerfully repose ourselves on that heavenly Father, who knows we have need of these things; who has given us the life, which is more than meat, and the body, which is more than raiment. And thus instructed in the philosophy of our heavenly Master, we will learn a lesson of faith and cheer. fulness from every bird of the air, and every flower of the field.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Verse 31. What shall we eat? or, What shall…
Verse 31. What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? c.] These three inquiries engross the whole attention of those who are living without God in the world. The belly and back of a worldling are his compound god and these he worships in the lust of the flesh, in the lust of the eye, and in the pride of life.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv31, 33, 34 Mat 6:31-32. Therefore take no thought — Be no…
Mat 6:31-32. Therefore take no thought — Be no more distracted and torn in pieces, as it were, with anxious and unbelieving thoughts, Saying, What shall we eat, &c. — How shall we be provided for during the remainder of our lives? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek — Who are strangers to the promises of God’s covenant, and to the hopes of his glory. “It was the general character of the heathen, that they prayed to their gods, and laboured themselves, for no blessings but the temporal ones here mentioned, as is plain from the tenth Sat. of Juvenal; and that because they were in a great measure ignorant of God’s goodness, had erred fundamentally in their notions of religion, and had no certain hope of a future state.” See Eph 2:12. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things — Your heavenly Father is far better acquainted with all your wants than you yourselves are, and does not disregard them. There is a noble antithesis in this passage. Christ sets God’s knowledge of our wants in opposition to the anxiety of the heathen about having theirs supplied, to intimate that the one is much more effectual for that purpose than the other.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv32, 34 For after all these things do the Gentiles seek…
For after all these things do the Gentiles seek - That is, those destitute of the true doctrines of religion, and unacquainted with proper dependence on Divine Providence, make it their chief anxiety thus to seek food and clothing. But you, who have a knowledge of your Father in heaven; who know that He will provide for your needs, should not be anxious. Seek first His kingdom; seek first to be righteous, and to become interested in His favor, and all necessary things will be added to you. He has control over all things, and He can give you what you need. He will give you what he deems best for you.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv32–34 It is not without reason that men are in…
It is not without reason that men are in such great fear and distress, when they are so blind as to imagine that their happiness in this life is ruled by fate. But such as know that they are entirely governed by the will of God, know also that a store is laid up for them in his hands. (St. John Chrysostom)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Therefore take no thought--solicitude.
Therefore take no thought--solicitude.
saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv32–34 32. After all these things — All worldly goods…
32. After all these things — All worldly goods and earthly treasures, (18-21,) which are included under the dominion of the world-god, Mammon. And so, be not ye, therefore, like unto them. Their god is Mammon, yours is your heavenly Father. The Gentiles seek — Hence this whole third part of our Lord’s discourse is properly a rebuke of Gentilism, or godless Secularism, either as existing among the heathen, or infecting the Jews.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv31, 32, 34 31. take no thought] See Mat_6:25.
31. take no thought] See Mat_6:25.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv31–34 (31) Therefore . . .—The command which, in Mat_6:25;…
(31) Therefore . . .—The command which, in Mat_6:25; Mat_6:28, had before been given as general and abstract, is now enforced as the conclusion of a process of thought more or less inductive. A change in the tense, which we fail to express in English, indicates more special and personal application—“Do not take thought, do not be over-anxious now.”
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv31–34 Luk_12:29 has the difficult phrase, "Neither be ye of…
Luk_12:29 has the difficult phrase, "Neither be ye of doubtful mind." Therefore take no thought (mh oun merimnhshte). The shade of difference here and ver. 34 from ver. 25 cannot be expressed in an English translation. In ver. 25 a state of anxiety, here and ver. 34: one anxious thought, is forbidden.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv32–33 Your heavenly Father knoweth.
Mat_6:32
Your heavenly Father knoweth.
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The antidote to anxiety
I. Reasons against anxiety.
1. Anxiety is a part of indecision of character and partakes of its harmfulness. No man can serve two masters.
2. An argument from the greater to the less; God takes care of fowls, He will of men.
3. The impossibilities in the case-Which of you, etc.
4. The analogies of nature-Consider the lilies, etc.
5. It puts the Christian to shame by showing that he is anxious like the heathen.
6. The character of God-Your heavenly Father, etc.
7. The folly of the thing.
II. The magnitude of the sin of anxiety.
1. It makes you unhappy, which is matter for blame rather than pity.
2. It is a positive wrong done to God; it distrusts him.
3. Do not speak of your anxieties as something for which you are to be commiserated.
4. Never place yourself willingly in a position of worldly anxiety; it is a great hindrance to spiritual life. (A. Vaughan, M. A.)
Gods individual care of His children
A father does not deal with all his children by one and the same universal rule, but with each child individually. For he is acquainted with their separate, especial wants; he knows them as no one else knows them. Therefore, not only have all their portions, but every one the portion he requires. The delicate one is the most shielded,-the timid one is the most encouraged,-the infirm one is the most helped,-the dull one is the most taught,-the tempted one is the most prayed for,-the returning one is the most rejoiced over. And it is the speciality and the appropriateness of the care which makes the great characteristics of paternal government. (A. Vaughan, M. A)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv31–34 31. Therefore take no thought. Have no anxiety over…
31. Therefore take no thought. Have no anxiety over the question of food and raiment. Do your duty, with a full trust in God that he will see that you do not lack for these things.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv31, 33 take no thought
take no thought
Or, have no anxiety. Mat 6:34.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On vv31, 33, 34 Christ renews His exhortation against worry:
Christ renews His exhortation against worry:
v. 31. Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
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v. 32. (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.) For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
It is in the form of an impassioned peroration that the Lord pleads with His hearers. All the care and worry of providing food and clothing, the continual harping on that one theme, so that it makes up the burden of your conversation, that it is the one subject which engages all your time and energy, is sinful and heathenish. For bread, raiment, wealth, all the gifts which this world has to offer, are eagerly sought as the supreme, the most important things in life, by the heathen. They have no thought beyond the gratification of their bodily desires. As for you: Your Father above knows, He is fully aware of the conditions, He is acquainted with all your needs. His fatherly heart, filled with love toward you, is willing to do what is best for you; so drive all dull care far away from you, lest your worry lead to distrust and your distrust to the worship of Mammon. "That is not sin nor service of Mammon that a person eats and drinks and clothes himself, as the need of life and body demands that he have his food and covering; also not this that he seek and earn his food, but that he worries, that is, that he places his heart’s comfort and trust therein. For care is not enclosed in the dress or in the food, but right in the heart; which cannot refrain, it must needs want to cling to it, as it is said: Possessions bring confidence. To take thought, then, means as much as to cling to it with the heart. For what my heart does not dearly love, for that I have no care; and again, that for which I care, my heart must desire."
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v32 For the Gentiles search for these things
For the Gentiles search for these things
"for the Gentiles are concerned about what they will eat, drink, and wear"
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your heavenly Father knows that you need them
Jesus is implying that God will make sure their basic needs are met.
Father
This is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)
seek first his kingdom and his righteousness
Here "kingdom" refers to God's rule as king. AT: "concern yourselves with serving God, who is your king, and doing what is right" (See: Metonymy)
all these things will be given to you
This can be stated in active form. AT: "God will provide all these things for you" (See: Active or Passive)
Therefore
"Because of all this"
tomorrow will be anxious for itself
Jesus speaks of "tomorrow" as if it were a person who could worry. Jesus means that a person will have enough to worry about when the next day comes. (See: Personification)
translationWords
Gentile
heaven
God the Father
kingdom of God
righteous
evil
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv32–33 6:32 unbelievers (literally Gentiles): Those who fail to know…
6:32 unbelievers (literally Gentiles): Those who fail to know God and follow his will (see also 20:19). • your heavenly Father already knows: Prayer does not inform God about needs; it expresses trust in his provision.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.