Luke 12:29

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} seek {G2212} not {G3361} ye {G5210} what {G5101} ye shall eat {G5315}, or {G2228} what {G5101} ye shall drink {G4095},{G2532} neither {G3361} be ye of doubtful mind {G3349}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“In other words, don’t strive after what you will eat and what you will drink — don’t be anxious.

Berean Standard Bible

And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:29 presents a direct command from Jesus to His disciples, urging them to abandon anxious striving for life's basic necessities like food and drink, and to instead cultivate a settled, trusting disposition. This instruction is part of a larger discourse on divine providence, emphasizing that God, who cares for all creation, will certainly provide for His children, rendering worry not only unnecessary but also indicative of a lack of faith in His benevolent oversight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within Jesus's extended teaching on true wealth and divine provision, spanning from [Luke 12:13-34](/luke/12-13-34 "Luke 12:13-34 - Jesus' Teaching on Wealth and Worry"). Immediately preceding this passage, Jesus warns against the folly of covetousness and the deceptive security of earthly riches through the parable of the rich fool in [Luke 12:16-21](/luke/12-16-21 "The Parable of the Rich Fool"). He then transitions to address the disciples' potential anxieties about daily sustenance, using illustrations from nature – the ravens and the lilies – to demonstrate God's meticulous care for all creation. The instruction in [Luke 12:29](/luke/12-29 "Luke 12:29 - Do Not Worry About Provision") serves as a direct prohibition against the very worries He has just shown to be illogical and faithless, setting the stage for the climactic command to "seek ye the kingdom of God" in [Luke 12:31](/luke/12-31 "Luke 12:31 - Seek First the Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee, life was largely agrarian, and daily sustenance was a constant concern. Most people lived hand-to-mouth, with limited surplus and no extensive social safety nets. Crop failures, political instability, or illness could easily plunge a family into destitution. Food and drink were not commodities taken for granted but were the result of hard labor, favorable weather, and often, divine blessing. This context amplifies the radical nature of Jesus's command: He was asking His followers to release anxieties that were deeply ingrained and genuinely pressing for survival in their socio-economic reality. The audience would have understood the profound implications of trusting entirely in an unseen God for their most basic needs, a stark contrast to the prevailing anxieties of their time.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of this passage, and particularly [Luke 12:29](/luke/12-29 "Luke 12:29 - Do Not Worry About Provision"), is **Trust in God's Sovereign Provision**. Jesus repeatedly assures His disciples that their Heavenly Father knows their needs and is committed to meeting them, making anxious striving unnecessary. Closely related is the theme of **Freedom from Anxiety**. The command "neither be ye of doubtful mind" directly addresses the internal state of worry and wavering, advocating for a settled peace rooted in faith. Finally, the passage strongly emphasizes **Prioritizing the Kingdom of God**. The call to relinquish material anxieties is not an end in itself, but a means to reorient one's life toward seeking God's reign and righteousness, as explicitly stated in [Luke 12:31](/luke/12-31 "Luke 12:31 - Seek First the Kingdom of God"). This reorientation promises that all necessary earthly provisions will be "added" as a byproduct of right priorities.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō_):** This verb means "to seek (literally or figuratively)," often implying an active, earnest pursuit or inquiry. In the context of Luke 12:29, the negative command "seek not" prohibits an anxious, consuming quest for material sustenance that would displace trust in God. It's not a prohibition against working for food, but against making the pursuit of food the primary, worry-driven focus of one's life.
* **drink (Greek, _pínō_):** This is a straightforward verb meaning "to imbibe (literally or figuratively)." Its inclusion alongside "eat" completes the common expression for basic sustenance. The prohibition against seeking "what ye shall drink" reinforces the comprehensive nature of Jesus's command against anxiety over fundamental daily provisions.
* **be of doubtful mind (Greek, _meteōrízō_):** This unique Greek word, from which we get "meteor," literally means "to raise in mid-air" or "to suspend." Figuratively, it conveys the idea of being in suspense, anxious, wavering, or tossed about by uncertainty and worry, like a ship without an anchor. Jesus's command "neither be ye of doubtful mind" (μὴ μετεωρίζεσθε) powerfully depicts the mental and emotional instability caused by worry, urging His followers to be grounded and stable in their faith rather than fluctuating with fear.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And seek not ye what ye shall eat":** This initial clause issues a direct prohibition against an anxious, consuming pursuit of food. It's not a command against working or planning, but against allowing the quest for daily bread to become a source of worry or the primary focus of one's life, overshadowing spiritual priorities. Jesus implies that such seeking stems from a lack of trust in God's provision.
* **"or what ye shall drink":** This clause parallels the first, extending the prohibition to all basic liquid sustenance. By mentioning both food and drink, Jesus covers the entirety of fundamental human needs, emphasizing that His command against worry is comprehensive and applies to all aspects of daily provision.
* **"neither be ye of doubtful mind":** This final, crucial clause specifies the internal disposition that Jesus is addressing. The phrase "be of doubtful mind" (μὴ μετεωρίζεσθε) vividly portrays a state of mental agitation, uncertainty, and wavering. Jesus commands His disciples not to allow their minds to be "tossed about" or "suspended in mid-air" by anxieties about the future, but rather to remain stable and grounded in faith. This is a call for inner peace and confidence, rather than a restless, anxious spirit.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:29 employs several effective literary devices. The most prominent is **Imperative** mood, as Jesus issues direct commands ("seek not," "be not of doubtful mind"), underscoring the authoritative and non-negotiable nature of His teaching. There is clear **Parallelism** in the phrasing "what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink," which uses a common linguistic pairing to comprehensively cover basic sustenance. Furthermore, the phrase "be ye of doubtful mind" utilizes **Figurative Language**, specifically a **Metaphor** or **Idiom**, drawing on the imagery of something suspended in mid-air (like a meteor or a ship adrift) to convey the unstable, anxious state of a worried mind. This vivid imagery effectively communicates the undesirable mental and emotional condition Jesus warns against.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:29 profoundly connects to the broader biblical theology of divine providence and the nature of God as a benevolent Father. It echoes the Old Testament theme of Yahweh as the faithful provider, who sustained Israel in the wilderness and promised to bless those who obeyed Him. This verse challenges the human tendency to rely on self-sufficiency and control, instead calling for radical dependence on God's unfailing care. It teaches that worry is not merely an emotional state but a theological issue, reflecting a diminished view of God's power, goodness, or attentiveness. True faith, conversely, manifests as a settled peace and freedom from anxiety, knowing that the Creator of the universe is intimately concerned with the well-being of His children.

* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")
* [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
In a contemporary world often characterized by economic uncertainty, consumerism, and the relentless pursuit of security through material accumulation, Luke 12:29 remains profoundly relevant. It challenges believers to critically examine the sources of their anxieties and to discern whether their daily pursuits are driven by faith or by fear. This verse is not an endorsement of irresponsibility or idleness, but a call to reorient our hearts from an anxious preoccupation with earthly provisions to a confident reliance on God's unfailing care. Living out this command involves intentionally cultivating contentment, practicing gratitude for what God has already provided, and actively choosing to trust Him with tomorrow's needs. It means channeling the energy often consumed by worry into prayer, service, and the pursuit of God's Kingdom, trusting that as we prioritize His purposes, He will faithfully meet our legitimate needs, freeing us to live with greater peace and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of my life cause me the most anxiety regarding provision (e.g., finances, health, future security)?**
* **How does my current level of worry reflect my trust in God's daily provision, or lack thereof?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to "seek not" and "be not of doubtful mind," but rather to rest more fully in God's care?**
* **How might shifting my focus from material worries to seeking God's Kingdom transform my daily priorities and peace of mind?**

### FAQ

**Does "seek not" mean I shouldn't work or plan for the future?**

Answer: No, Jesus's command in [Luke 12:29](/luke/12-29 "Luke 12:29 - Do Not Worry About Provision") is not a prohibition against responsible work or prudent planning. The Greek word for "seek" (zētéō) here, especially in conjunction with "be of doubtful mind," refers to an anxious, consuming, and worry-driven pursuit of material things. It's about the *attitude* and *priority* behind the seeking. The Bible consistently encourages diligence and foresight (e.g., [Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6-11 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - The Ant and the Sluggard"), [2 Thessalonians 3:10](/2_thessalonians/3-10 "2 Thessalonians 3:10 - Work or Don't Eat")). Jesus is addressing the *anxious striving* that betrays a lack of faith in God's provision, not responsible stewardship or labor. The emphasis is on releasing the *worry* about provision, not the *effort* to obtain it.

**What does "be ye of doubtful mind" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "be ye of doubtful mind" translates the Greek word _meteōrízō_, which literally means "to be suspended in mid-air" or "to be tossed about." In this context, it vividly describes a mind that is agitated, unstable, and fluctuating with uncertainty, fear, and anxiety about the future, particularly regarding basic needs like food and drink. It's the opposite of being grounded, settled, and peaceful in one's trust. Jesus is commanding His followers not to allow their thoughts and emotions to be tossed to and fro by worries, but to remain firm and tranquil in their reliance on God's care, as He knows what they need ([Luke 12:30](/luke/12-30 "Luke 12:30 - Your Father Knows What You Need")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:29, while a direct command to the disciples, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Christ. Jesus, as the incarnate Son of God, perfectly modeled this freedom from anxious striving, living a life of complete dependence on His Father's provision, even to the point of having "nowhere to lay his head" ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")). He is the one who invites us to cast all our anxieties upon Him ([1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")) because He cares for us. Moreover, Christ Himself is the ultimate provision, the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus the Bread of Life")) and the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")), satisfying the deepest spiritual hunger and thirst that no earthly food or drink ever could. His atoning work on the cross secures not only our eternal salvation but also assures us of God's benevolent care for our temporal needs, for if God "did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?" ([Romans 8:32](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - God Gives Us All Things Through Christ")). Thus, freedom from anxiety about earthly provisions is a fruit of trusting in Christ's finished work and His ongoing intercession, enabling believers to live with a peace that surpasses understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")).

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 6:31

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Luke 12:22

¶ 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.

Luke 22:35

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Luke 10:7

And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Luke 10:8

And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: