Luke 12:25

KJV

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} which {G5101} of {G1537} you {G5216} with taking thought {G3309} can {G1410} add {G4369} to {G1909} his {G846} stature {G2244} one {G1520} cubit {G4083}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Can any of you by worrying add an 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 a cubit unto the measure of his life?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:25 serves as a poignant rhetorical question within Jesus' broader discourse on anxiety, challenging the inherent futility of human worry. It underscores the profound limitation of human agency in controlling fundamental aspects of life, such as physical growth or lifespan, thereby implicitly contrasting this powerlessness with God's sovereign provision and care. The verse powerfully redirects the listener from a posture of anxious self-reliance to one of trusting dependence on divine providence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus’ extended teaching on worry and material possessions, delivered to His disciples and a large crowd. It immediately follows the parable of the Rich Fool in [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "The Parable of the Rich Fool"), which sternly warns against covetousness and the misguided pursuit of earthly wealth without regard for eternal realities. Jesus then transitions directly into a discourse on worry, beginning in [Luke 12:22](/luke/12-22 "Jesus' Teaching on Not Worrying"), urging His followers not to be anxious about their lives, food, or clothing. He illustrates God's meticulous care by pointing to the ravens and lilies ([Luke 12:24](/luke/12-24 "God Feeds the Ravens") and [Luke 12:27-28](/luke/12-27-28 "God Clothes the Lilies")), which neither toil nor spin, yet are provided for by God. Verse 25, therefore, functions as a decisive rhetorical question that aims to dismantle the very logic of anxiety by exposing its utter ineffectiveness in altering one's physical state or destiny.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient agrarian societies, life was often precarious, marked by vulnerability to famine, disease, and political instability. Daily sustenance was a constant concern, making anxiety about food, drink, and clothing a common reality. People lived much more closely to the cycles of nature and the direct impact of weather on crops. The concept of "stature" (Greek _hēlikía_) could refer to both physical height and age/lifespan, a common ambiguity in ancient thought. The "cubit" (Greek _pēchys_) was a standard unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to the length of a forearm (approximately 18 inches or 45 cm). Jesus' audience would have understood the impossibility of adding such a measure to one's physical height, and by extension, the absurdity of adding even a small increment to one's life through worry. This highlights a fundamental human limitation in a world where control over one's fate was far less assumed than in modern times.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:25 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus' teaching. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the **futility of worry**, demonstrating that anxiety is not only emotionally draining but also entirely unproductive in altering one's circumstances, particularly those beyond human control. Secondly, the verse highlights the stark contrast between **human limitation and divine sovereignty**. Humans are shown to be utterly powerless over their own physical development or the duration of their lives, implicitly pointing to God as the ultimate orchestrator of all creation and life. This theme is echoed throughout the Gospels, emphasizing that true security lies not in self-effort but in God's providential care, as also seen in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Do Not Worry"). Finally, by exposing the uselessness of anxiety, Jesus subtly redirects His listeners towards the theme of **trust in God's provision**. If worry cannot change anything, then the only logical and faithful response is to surrender control and trust in the benevolent Father who knows and provides for the needs of His children ([Luke 12:30](/luke/12-30 "God Knows Your Needs")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taking thought (Greek, _merimnáō_):** This word signifies to be anxious, to be troubled with cares, or to worry. It describes a state of restless preoccupation and distracting concern, often about earthly matters or future uncertainties. The verb implies a mental and emotional burden that is both unproductive and spiritually depleting.
* **stature (Greek, _hēlikía_):** This term carries a dual meaning, referring to either physical height or age/lifespan. Given the context of adding a "cubit," which is a measure of length, the primary interpretation leans towards physical height. However, the broader discourse on life's duration and the futility of anxiety often leads scholars to also consider the meaning of "lifespan," implying that worry cannot add even a short period to one's life. Both interpretations underscore the same point: human inability to control fundamental aspects of existence.
* **cubit (Greek, _pēchys_):** This is a unit of linear measure, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters. Its inclusion here emphasizes the smallness of the increment being discussed. Whether referring to a small increase in height or a brief extension of life, the point is that even the most minimal alteration is beyond human power through worry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And which of you":** This opening phrase immediately sets up a rhetorical question, directly addressing the listeners and inviting them to consider their own experience and limitations. It implies that the answer is self-evident and universally applicable.
* **"with taking thought":** This specifies the method being critiqued: anxiety, worry, or restless preoccupation. Jesus challenges the very premise that such a mental state could produce any tangible, positive outcome in a person's physical existence.
* **"can add to his stature":** This clause presents the impossible action. "Stature" (as discussed above) refers to either physical height or lifespan. The implication is that neither worrying nor any amount of human effort can alter these fundamental aspects of one's being, which are ultimately in God's hands.
* **"one cubit?":** This final phrase highlights the utter futility of the effort. A cubit is a relatively small measure. Jesus emphasizes that if one cannot even add this minimal amount to their physical dimension or lifespan through worry, then the entire exercise of anxiety is pointless. The question mark underscores the rhetorical nature, expecting a resounding "none."

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs a powerful **Rhetorical Question** in Luke 12:25, which is a question posed for effect rather than for an answer. By asking "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?", Jesus compels His audience to acknowledge their own powerlessness in the face of life's fundamental realities. The expected answer, "no one," underscores the utter futility of anxiety. This rhetorical device is highly persuasive, as it allows the listeners to arrive at the conclusion themselves, making the truth more impactful. Additionally, there is an element of **Hyperbole** or **Understatement** depending on the interpretation of "stature." If "stature" refers to physical height, then adding a full cubit would be a significant, almost miraculous, increase, making the impossibility clear. If it refers to lifespan, then adding even a "cubit" (a small measure of time) is equally impossible through worry. In either case, the imagery exaggerates the point to emphasize the absolute lack of control humans have over these aspects of their lives, thereby highlighting the irrationality of worry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:25 is a profound statement on divine providence and human trust. It challenges the deeply ingrained human tendency to control circumstances, particularly those beyond our grasp, and redirects our focus to God's ultimate sovereignty. Theologically, it asserts that life's fundamental dimensions—our very being and the span of our days—are not subject to our anxious manipulations but are under the benevolent hand of a God who cares for His creation. This verse implicitly calls believers to a radical dependence on God, reminding us that worry is not only unproductive but also a subtle form of distrust in God's character and His promises. It serves as a foundational truth for cultivating peace amidst uncertainty, urging us to surrender our anxieties to the One who holds all things together.

* [Matthew 6:27](/matthew/6-27 "The Futility of Worry")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Do Not Be Anxious About Anything")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world increasingly marked by rapid change, economic uncertainty, and global challenges, the temptation to worry is ever-present. Luke 12:25 stands as a timeless beacon, reminding us that much of our anxiety is expended on things utterly beyond our control. We often fret over our health, our future, the well-being of loved ones, or external circumstances, yet Jesus' words invite us to a liberating truth: worry accomplishes nothing. It cannot add a single day to our lives, nor can it alter our physical makeup. Instead, it saps our energy, diminishes our joy, and distracts us from the present moment and the opportunities for faithfulness that God has placed before us. The practical application is to consciously choose trust over torment, to release our grip on what we cannot control, and to place our confidence in the God who orchestrates all things. This does not mean abandoning responsibility or planning, but rather approaching life with a spirit of peaceful reliance, knowing that our ultimate well-being is secured in His hands.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of your life tend to produce the most anxiety, and how much control do you truly have over them?**
* **How does the realization that worry is unproductive impact your desire to engage in it?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to surrender a specific worry to God's care, trusting in His provision?**
* **How might a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty free you to live more fully in the present moment?**

### FAQ
**Does Jesus' teaching in Luke 12:25 mean that we should not plan for the future or take preventative measures?**

Answer: No, Jesus' teaching here is not a call to irresponsibility or a rejection of wise planning. Rather, it is a condemnation of *anxious* thought—the kind of worry that is unproductive, consuming, and ultimately rooted in a lack of trust in God's providence. Planning, saving, and taking preventative measures are acts of wisdom and good stewardship, often encouraged elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-8](/proverbs/6-6-8 "Go to the Ant, You Sluggard")). The distinction lies in the heart attitude: are we planning with a spirit of trust and reliance on God, or are we consumed by a restless, fearful preoccupation that assumes all outcomes depend solely on our efforts? Jesus is addressing the latter, emphasizing that even our most intense worry cannot alter the fundamental realities of life and death, which remain in God's hands. His instruction is to seek God's Kingdom first ([Luke 12:31](/luke/12-31 "Seek God's Kingdom First")), trusting that all necessary things will be provided.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:25, with its stark declaration of the futility of worry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse highlights humanity's powerlessness to add a cubit to one's stature or lifespan, Christ Himself is the one who, through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, has conquered the ultimate sources of human anxiety: sin and death. He is the one who truly "adds" to our lives, not a mere cubit of physical dimension or time, but eternal life and a new spiritual stature in Him ([Colossians 2:10](/colossians/2-10 "You have been made complete in Christ")). Jesus, the Son of God, perfectly modeled a life of complete trust in the Father, even in the face of immense suffering and the cross ([Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). His teaching on worry, therefore, is not a detached philosophical observation but an invitation to share in His peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding because it is grounded in His finished work ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "Jesus' Gift of Peace")). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ has addressed the root cause of our insecurity, freeing us from the bondage of anxious striving and enabling us to live lives of confident faith, knowing that our heavenly Father knows our needs and has provided for them supremely in His Son ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "God Gave Up His Own Son")). In Christ, our true "stature" is not measured by earthly dimensions but by our adoption as children of God, secured by grace, and our "lifespan" is transformed into an eternal inheritance.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:27

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

Matthew 5:36

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Luke 19:3

And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.