Luke 12:26

KJV

If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

KJV (with Strong's)

If {G1487} ye then {G3767} be {G1410} not {G3777} able to do {G1410} that thing which is least {G1646}, why {G5101} take ye thought {G3309} for {G4012} the rest {G3062}?

Complete Jewish Bible

If you can’t do a little thing like that, why worry about the rest?

Berean Standard Bible

So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?

American Standard Version

If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:26 is a powerful rhetorical question posed by Jesus, serving as a logical culmination to His discourse on the futility of worry. Building upon the preceding verse that highlights humanity's inability to add even a single hour to one's life through anxiety, this verse challenges the listener to confront the illogic of worrying about larger life concerns when the most minimal aspects are beyond human control. It implicitly calls for a radical shift from anxious self-reliance to profound trust in God's sovereign provision.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus's extended teaching on material possessions, anxiety, and the kingdom of God, beginning in [Luke 12:22](/luke/12-22 "Luke 12:22 - Do Not Worry"). It directly follows [Luke 12:25](/luke/12-25 "Luke 12:25 - Futility of Worry"), which states, "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?" Luke 12:26 acts as the logical conclusion to this specific point, using an *a fortiori* argument: if you cannot control the smallest thing (your stature or lifespan), why would you think you could control the greater things? The broader context includes Jesus's illustrations of God's care for ravens ([Luke 12:24](/luke/12-24 "Luke 12:24 - God Feeds the Ravens")) and lilies ([Luke 12:27](/luke/12-27 "Luke 12:27 - God Clothes the Lilies")), underscoring God's meticulous provision for creation, which then serves as a foundation for trusting Him with human needs.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the agrarian society of first-century Galilee, daily life was often precarious, marked by dependence on weather, harvest, and political stability. Food, clothing, and shelter were not guaranteed, making anxiety about basic necessities a common human experience. People would have understood the struggle to control external circumstances. The reference to "stature" (from [Luke 12:25](/luke/12-25 "Luke 12:25 - Futility of Worry")) could refer to physical height or, more likely in this context, one's lifespan. Both were seen as entirely outside human control and firmly in the hands of divine providence. Jesus's teaching directly confronts the prevailing human tendency to fret over an uncertain future, offering a counter-cultural perspective rooted in divine sovereignty rather than human striving.
* **Key Themes:** [Luke 12:26](/luke/12-26 "Luke 12:26 - Why Worry About the Rest?") powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and Jesus's teaching. First, it highlights **the futility of human worry**, demonstrating that anxiety is not only unproductive but also illogical when confronted with human limitations. Second, it underscores the stark contrast between **human limitations and divine sovereignty**, emphasizing that what is impossible for humans is effortlessly managed by God. This theme is pervasive in Jesus's teachings, urging disciples to recognize God's active involvement in every aspect of creation and human life. Third, implicit in this rhetorical challenge is a profound **call to trust and faith**. By exposing the absurdity of worry, Jesus invites His followers to surrender their anxieties and cultivate a deep, abiding confidence in God's unfailing care and provision, a theme further developed in [Luke 12:31](/luke/12-31 "Luke 12:31 - Seek First the Kingdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **able to do (Greek, _dýnamai'_):** This verb signifies the capacity or possibility of something. In the context of "be not able to do," it emphasizes a complete lack of power or capability on the part of humans. Jesus highlights that even the most seemingly minor aspects of existence (like adding to one's lifespan or stature, as per [Luke 12:25](/luke/12-25 "Luke 12:25 - Futility of Worry")) are utterly beyond human ability, no matter how much one "takes thought" or worries.
* **least (Greek, _eláchistos'_):** This word is the superlative form, meaning "smallest," "very little," or "of least importance/dignity." Here, it refers to the most insignificant or minimal thing, specifically the inability to control the smallest increment of one's life or physical being. By using "least," Jesus sets up a powerful *a fortiori* argument: if humans cannot manage even the smallest, most fundamental aspects of their lives, then their anxiety over greater, more complex matters is even more irrational.
* **take ye thought (Greek, _merimnáō'_):** This verb means "to be anxious about," "to be careful," or "to be distracted by cares." It carries the connotation of a divided mind, pulled in different directions by worries. Jesus uses this term to describe the mental state of anxiety that His disciples are to avoid. The rhetorical question directly challenges the utility and wisdom of engaging in such anxious thought when even the most basic outcomes are beyond human control.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least":** This opening clause establishes the premise of Jesus's rhetorical question. It refers back to the inability discussed in [Luke 12:25](/luke/12-25 "Luke 12:25 - Futility of Worry")—namely, that no amount of worrying can add a single "cubit" (a measure of height or, more likely, a small increment of time) to one's life. The phrase "that thing which is least" underscores the utter insignificance of the specific action in question, making the human inability to perform it even more striking and illustrative of profound powerlessness.
* **"why take ye thought for the rest?":** This is the logical conclusion and the rhetorical punch of the verse. If humanity is incapable of controlling even the "least" and most basic aspects of life, then it is utterly illogical and futile to "take thought" (to be anxious or worried) about "the rest"—the larger, more complex, and often more overwhelming circumstances of life, such as food, clothing, and the future. Jesus uses this question to expose the absurdity of anxiety, urging His listeners to recognize the limits of their control and the boundless nature of God's provision.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:26 primarily employs a **Rhetorical Question**, a common teaching device used by Jesus to engage His audience and prompt self-reflection rather than requiring a direct answer. The question "why take ye thought for the rest?" is designed to highlight the illogical nature of worry. Furthermore, the verse utilizes an **A Fortiori Argument** (from the lesser to the greater). Jesus argues that if humans are powerless over the "least" thing (their stature or lifespan), they are certainly powerless over the "rest" (the greater, more complex aspects of life). This logical progression makes the futility of anxiety undeniable. There is also an element of **Understatement** (or Meiosis) in "that thing which is least," as the inability to control one's lifespan or physical being is a profound limitation, yet it is presented as the "least" to emphasize the even greater absurdity of worrying about larger matters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:26 profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's absolute sovereignty and humanity's inherent limitations. It challenges the human tendency to assume control over life's circumstances, revealing the absurdity of anxiety in the face of divine providence. Theologically, this verse invites believers to a deeper understanding of God as the ultimate provider and sustainer, whose care extends even to the "least" of His creation. It is a call to relinquish the burden of self-reliance and embrace a posture of radical dependence on God, finding peace not in control, but in trust. This teaching resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them of His watchful eye and unfailing provision.

* [Matthew 6:27](/matthew/6-27 "Matthew 6:27 - Who by worrying can add a single hour?")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious About Anything")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:26 serves as a profound mirror, inviting us to examine the pervasive presence of anxiety in our lives. If we are honest, we often expend immense mental and emotional energy worrying about things utterly beyond our control – our health, finances, the future of our loved ones, or global events. Jesus's rhetorical question forces us to confront the sheer illogic of this behavior. If we cannot even add a moment to our lives or an inch to our height, how much less can we manipulate the complex tapestry of life through worry? The application is clear: true peace and freedom from anxiety come not from trying harder to control, but from surrendering control to the One who holds all things in His hands. It is an invitation to cultivate a deep, abiding faith that God is meticulously at work, even in the "least" details of our existence, and therefore, He can certainly be trusted with "the rest." This verse calls us to shift our focus from our limited abilities to God's limitless power and loving care, allowing His peace to guard our hearts and minds.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are some of the "least" things in your life that you worry about, even though they are beyond your control?**
* **How does recognizing your inability to control even the smallest things challenge your approach to larger life anxieties?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to surrender a specific worry to God, trusting in His provision for "the rest"?**

### FAQ

**What does "that thing which is least" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: "That thing which is least" directly refers to the concept introduced in the preceding verse, [Luke 12:25](/luke/12-25 "Luke 12:25 - Futility of Worry"), where Jesus asks, "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?" The "least thing" is the inability to add even a small measure (a "cubit") to one's physical stature or, more commonly interpreted in this context, to one's lifespan. It represents the most minimal, fundamental aspect of human existence that is utterly beyond human control, regardless of how much one worries or "takes thought."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:26, while a direct challenge to human anxiety, finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Christ. Jesus, who poses this rhetorical question, is not merely offering sage advice but embodying the very trust and provision He advocates. He is the one who perfectly modeled a life of complete dependence on the Father, even to the point of death on the cross, demonstrating that God's care extends even through suffering and sacrifice. In His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fully reveals God's meticulous provision for humanity's deepest needs—not just physical sustenance, but spiritual redemption and eternal life. He is the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate solution to humanity's greatest problem. Furthermore, Jesus invites all who are "weary and burdened" to come to Him for rest ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")), offering a peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). Thus, the "rest" that we are not to worry about is ultimately found in seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")), knowing that in Him, all our needs—both "least" and "greatest"—are divinely met.

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

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Psalms 39:6

Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up [riches], and knoweth not who shall gather them.

Ecclesiastes 7:13

Consider the work of God: for who can make [that] straight, which he hath made crooked?

Luke 12:29

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.