LUK 12:22-31

Do Not Worry

22He said to his disciples, "Therefore I say to you: do not let care pull you apart — about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. [12:23] For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. [12:24] Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! [12:25] And which of you by being pulled apart by care can add a single span to his lifespan? [12:26] If then you cannot do even this smallest thing, why do you let care pull you apart about the rest? [12:27] Consider the lilies — how they grow: they neither toil nor spin. Yet I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. [12:28] But if God so clothes the grass in the field — which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace — how much more will he clothe you, people of little faith? [12:29] And you — do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be unsettled. [12:30] For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. [12:31] Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, daily survival was a pressing concern for many, especially the rural poor and urban laborers. Food and clothing were not guaranteed, and anxiety over these necessities was a common experience. The mention of ravens, which do not sow or reap, would resonate with listeners familiar with Jewish teachings that emphasized God’s provision for all creation (cf. Psalm 147:9). The term (merimnaō) conveys a sense of being pulled apart by worry, a state that would have been familiar to those navigating the uncertainties of subsistence living. The reference to (hēlikia) as lifespan underscores the futility of human efforts to control life’s duration, a theme echoed in Jewish wisdom literature. The accusation of (oligopistoi, 'little-faith') challenges listeners to reconsider their trust in God’s care, contrasting their anxiety with the simplicity of divine provision. This teaching would have been particularly striking in a culture where honor and self-sufficiency were highly valued.

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How other translations render this

LUK 12:22

KJV: And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
BSB: Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
Koinōnos: He said to his disciples, "Therefore I say to you: do not let care pull you apart — about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.

LUK 12:23

KJV: The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
BSB: For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
Koinōnos: For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

LUK 12:24

KJV: 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?
BSB: Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!
Koinōnos: Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds!

LUK 12:25

KJV: And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
BSB: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Koinōnos: And which of you by being pulled apart by care can add a single span to his lifespan?

LUK 12:26

KJV: If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
BSB: So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Koinōnos: If then you cannot do even this smallest thing, why do you let care pull you apart about the rest?

LUK 12:27

KJV: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
BSB: Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
Koinōnos: Consider the lilies — how they grow: they neither toil nor spin. Yet I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.

LUK 12:28

KJV: If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
BSB: If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!
Koinōnos: But if God so clothes the grass in the field — which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace — how much more will he clothe you, people of little faith?

LUK 12:29

KJV: And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
BSB: And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
Koinōnos: And you — do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be unsettled.

LUK 12:30

KJV: For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
BSB: For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Koinōnos: For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

LUK 12:31

KJV: But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
BSB: But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.
Koinōnos: Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

LUK 12:22

do be anxious:The word translated 'do be anxious' implies a distracting, dividing care that pulls one's attention in multiple directions, rather than simply a general concern.
life:The term translated 'life' here refers to the animating principle of a living being, often associated with breath, and can also mean one's very existence or self.

LUK 12:25

lifespan:The word translated 'lifespan' could also refer to one's physical stature or height, suggesting that humans cannot add even a small measure to their physical being or duration of life.

LUK 12:28

you,:The word translated 'you' (referring to 'of little faith') describes someone whose faith is small or insufficient, implying a lack of trust in God's provision despite evidence.