Matthew 6:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to his life?

Berean Standard Bible:

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

American Standard Version:

And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

^{G1161} Which^{{G1537}{G5101}} of you^{G5216} by taking thought^{G3309} can^{G1410} add^{G4369} one^{G1520} cubit^{G4083} unto^{G1909} his^{G846} stature^{G2244}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Matthew 6:27

Matthew 6:27 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a significant discourse by Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7. This verse is found within a broader passage where Jesus is teaching about anxiety and the importance of trusting in God's provision. The historical context of the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus's ministry in Galilee, where he addressed large crowds, including his disciples, teaching them about the nature of the Kingdom of God and the ethics of those who belong to it.

In the specific verse, Jesus uses a rhetorical question to challenge his listeners' concerns about their physical needs, such as food, drink, and clothing. The phrase "add one cubit unto his stature" is a figurative expression, with a cubit being an ancient unit of measurement based on the length of the forearm (approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters). Jesus is essentially asking, "Who among you can worry yourself taller?" This question is meant to highlight the futility of anxiety over one's physical well-being. Jesus's point is that just as worrying cannot increase one's height, it also cannot extend one's life or ensure one's sustenance.

The themes of this verse include the limitations of human effort and the futility of worry, contrasted with the sovereignty and care of God. Jesus teaches that God is intimately aware of the needs of His creation and that seeking His kingdom and righteousness should be the primary concern of His followers, trusting that God will provide for their needs. This teaching encourages a perspective of faith and dependence on God rather than self-reliance or anxiety about the uncertainties of life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G1537
   There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐκ
   Transliteration: ek
   Pronunciation: ex
   Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
   
3. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5216
   There are 503 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑμῶν
   Transliteration: hymōn
   Pronunciation: hoo-mone'
   Description: genitive case of ὑμεῖς; of (from or concerning) you:--ye, you, your (own, -selves).
   
5. Strong's Number: G3309
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μεριμνάω
   Transliteration: merimnáō
   Pronunciation: mer-im-nah'-o
   Description: from μέριμνα; to be anxious about:--(be, have) care(-ful), take thought.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1410
   There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δύναμαι
   Transliteration: dýnamai
   Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
   Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4369
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: προστίθημι
   Transliteration: prostíthēmi
   Pronunciation: pros-tith'-ay-mee
   Description: from πρός and τίθημι; to place additionally, i.e. lay beside, annex, repeat:--add, again, give more, increase, lay unto, proceed further, speak to any more.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1520
   There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἷς
   Transliteration: heîs
   Pronunciation: hice
   Description: a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also εἷς καθ’ εἷς, μηδείς, μία, οὐδείς.
   
9. Strong's Number: G4083
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πῆχυς
   Transliteration: pēchys
   Pronunciation: pay'-khoos
   Description: of uncertain affinity; the fore-arm, i.e. (as a measure) a cubit:--cubit.
   
10. Strong's Number: G1909
    There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐπί
    Transliteration: epí
    Pronunciation: ep-ee'
    Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
    
11. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2244
    There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἡλικία
    Transliteration: hēlikía
    Pronunciation: hay-lik-ee'-ah
    Description: from the same as ἡλίκος; maturity (in years or size):--age, stature.