And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body, what you shall put on.
Take.
Luke 12:29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
1 Corinthians 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
Therefore I tell you
The word "therefore" connects this teaching to the preceding verses, where Jesus speaks about the parable of the rich fool, emphasizing the futility of storing up earthly wealth. Jesus is making a logical conclusion based on the previous lesson, urging His disciples to adopt a heavenly perspective. This phrase underscores the authority of Jesus as a teacher and prophet, whose words carry divine weight and truth.
Do not worry about your life
This command addresses the common human concern for survival and well-being. In the cultural context of first-century Palestine, life was often precarious, with many living in poverty and under Roman occupation. Jesus' instruction to not worry is radical, calling for a trust in God's provision that transcends immediate circumstances. This echoes the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-34), where Jesus similarly instructs His followers to seek first the Kingdom of God.
What you will eat
Food scarcity was a real issue in ancient times, and meals were central to social and religious life. Jesus' assurance that His followers should not worry about food is a call to trust in God's provision, reminiscent of God's provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). This reliance on God for daily sustenance is a recurring theme in Scripture, highlighting God's faithfulness and care for His people.
Or about your body
The body, in biblical terms, is often seen as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Jesus' teaching here suggests that the physical body, while important, should not be a source of anxiety. This reflects a broader biblical principle that spiritual well-being and trust in God should take precedence over physical concerns. The body is to be respected and cared for, but not idolized or worried over.
What you will wear
Clothing in the ancient world was a sign of status and identity. Jesus' instruction not to worry about clothing challenges societal norms that equate worth with appearance. This teaching aligns with the biblical theme of God providing for His people, as seen in the provision of garments for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21) and the Israelites' clothing not wearing out during their desert wanderings (Deuteronomy 8:4). Jesus is emphasizing the value of inner spiritual richness over external appearances.
• Jesus is speaking directly to those who have already chosen to follow Him, not the skeptical crowds.
• His words carry the full weight of divine authority (John 13:13; Matthew 28:18).
• Because Scripture is accurate and literal, every disciple—then and now—can take these words as a personal instruction.
Cross references: Luke 6:20 shows Jesus turning specifically to His disciples; John 15:15 reminds us He calls them friends, sharing the Father’s heart with them.
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• “Therefore” links this command to the parable of the rich fool just told (Luke 12:13-21). The lesson: life’s security cannot rest in possessions.
• Jesus Himself—not a secondhand source—tells us, underscoring certainty and urgency (Matthew 5:22, “But I tell you…”).
• When Christ speaks, obedience is the only fitting response (Luke 6:46).
Cross references: Matthew 6:25 opens the parallel passage with the same “Therefore,” showing a unified teaching across the Gospels; Hebrews 12:25 warns not to refuse Him who speaks from heaven.
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• “Do not” is a command, not a suggestion. Anxiety is disobedience because it doubts God’s care.
• Life (psuchē) encompasses breath, vitality, and future—everything we often fear losing.
• God holds every moment; worry cannot add a single hour (Luke 12:25).
Cross references: Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing”; 1 Peter 5:7 “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you”; Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden on the LORD and He will sustain you.”
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• Food is the most basic daily need, yet Jesus says it is in the Father’s hands.
• The birds “neither sow nor reap… yet God feeds them” (Luke 12:24). If He cares for sparrows, He will certainly feed His children.
• God’s past faithfulness—manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4)—proves present reliability.
Cross references: Psalm 37:25 “I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging bread”; Matthew 7:11 “how much more will your Father in heaven give good things.”
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• Health, strength, and appearance can become idols if they eclipse trust in God.
• The body is important—God created it and will resurrect it—yet it is still secondary to obedience.
• Jesus later says, “Do not fear those who kill the body” (Luke 12:4). Anxiety about the body can undermine courage to live faithfully.
Cross references: 1 Timothy 4:8 “physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things”; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… you are not your own.”
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• Clothing symbolizes both daily necessity and social status; Jesus lifts the burden of trying to impress others.
• “Consider how the lilies grow… even Solomon in all his splendor was not adorned like one of these” (Luke 12:27).
• God has always provided covering—from the garments He made for Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21) to the white robes promised to the overcomers (Revelation 3:5).
Cross references: Matthew 6:28-30 parallels the same assurance; Isaiah 61:10 rejoices, “He has clothed me with garments of salvation.”
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Jesus commands His disciples to abandon anxiety over life’s essentials—food, body, and clothing—because the Father’s faithful care is certain. Worry contradicts trust in God’s sovereignty, ignores His past provision, and diminishes present obedience. By resting in His promise, believers are freed to seek His kingdom first and to live with confident, peaceful hearts.
(22) And he said unto his disciples.--The previous words had been spoken generally to all who needed their warning against greed. What follows is addressed to those who had already been called to the consciousness of a higher life.Take no thought for your life.--Another reproduction, in a distinct context, and as drawn forth by a special occasion, of the general teaching of Matthew 6:25.
Verse 22. - 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. A better rendering for "Take no thought" is Be not anxious about. This, too, suggests a more practical lesson. "What ye shall eat." How repeatedly in the Master's sermons do we find the reminder against the being careful about eating! We know from pagan writers in this age how gluttony, in its coarser and more refined forms, was among the more notorious evils of Roman society in Italy and in the provinces. This passion for the table more or less affected all classes in the empire.