Luke 12:31

KJV

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

KJV (with Strong's)

But rather {G4133} seek ye {G2212} the kingdom {G932} of God {G2316}; and {G2532} all {G3956} these things {G5023} shall be added {G4369} unto you {G5213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Rather, seek his Kingdom; and these things will be given to you as well.

Berean Standard Bible

But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.

American Standard Version

Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:31 serves as a pivotal command and promise within Jesus' teaching on anxiety, urging believers to prioritize the pursuit of God's sovereign rule and righteousness above all earthly concerns. In doing so, it assures them that their material needs will be graciously provided by their heavenly Father, shifting their focus from worldly worry to divine trust and spiritual alignment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section of Jesus' discourse to His disciples concerning worry and material possessions, beginning in [Luke 12:22](/luke/12-22 "Luke 12:22 - Do Not Worry"). Jesus directly addresses their anxieties about food, drink, and clothing, contrasting human preoccupation with God's meticulous care for creation—the ravens are fed, and the lilies are clothed. He challenges the disciples' inclination to worry, pointing out that such concerns are characteristic of the "nations of the world" ([Luke 12:30](/luke/12-30 "Luke 12:30 - The Nations Seek These Things")), who do not know their heavenly Father. Thus, [Luke 12:31](/luke/12-31 "Luke 12:31 - Seek the Kingdom First") functions as the climactic exhortation, providing the antidote to anxiety by redirecting their ultimate allegiance and focus.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the agrarian society of first-century Galilee, daily provision was a constant concern. People lived close to subsistence levels, and crop failures, famine, or political instability could quickly lead to destitution. There was no social safety net, making personal provision a primary, often consuming, worry. Furthermore, the concept of a "kingdom" was deeply ingrained in Jewish thought, often associated with a political, earthly reign that would overthrow Roman oppression. Jesus, however, consistently redefines this "kingdom" as a spiritual reality, a present reign of God that demands radical reorientation of priorities, challenging the prevailing cultural anxieties and messianic expectations.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in this section of Luke is **Trust in God's Providence** versus **Worldly Anxiety**. Jesus repeatedly emphasizes that God, as a loving Father, knows and cares for His children's needs, contrasting this with the futile and faithless nature of worry. Another key theme is **Kingdom Priorities**, where Jesus calls His followers to elevate God's rule and purposes above all else, including material security. This reorientation is not merely passive but involves an active "seeking" of God's kingdom, implying a life lived in submission to His will and participation in His redemptive work, as seen in the broader teachings of [Luke 12](/luke/12 "Luke 12 - Warnings and Exhortations"). This passage also subtly highlights the theme of **Discipleship**, as Jesus teaches His followers a counter-cultural way of living that reflects their unique relationship with God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seek (Greek, _zētéō'_):** This word implies an active, diligent, and continuous pursuit. It's not a passive waiting but an earnest striving to understand, enter, and live by the principles of God's kingdom. It suggests making it the primary object of one's efforts and desires. The KJV's "seek ye" (G2212) carries the sense of an imperative, a command for active engagement.
* **kingdom (Greek, _basileía'_):** Refers to royalty, rule, or a realm. Here, "the kingdom of God" (G932) signifies God's sovereign rule and reign, both as a present spiritual reality in the hearts of believers and as a future, consummated realm. Prioritizing it means submitting to God's will and participating in His redemptive purposes, living under His active dominion.
* **added (Greek, _prostíthēmi'_):** This verb means "to place additionally," "lay beside," or "annex." The promise "shall be added" (G4369) implies that material provisions are a gracious supplement or bonus, freely given by God as a byproduct of prioritizing His kingdom, rather than being the primary object of human striving.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God":** This clause presents a direct command and a radical reorientation of priorities. The "But rather" (G4133) introduces a strong contrast to the preceding verses, which describe the "nations of the world" seeking material things. Jesus commands His disciples to actively and diligently pursue God's sovereign rule and reign as the supreme goal of their lives, making His will and purposes their ultimate concern.
* **"and all these things shall be added unto you":** This clause functions as a divine promise, directly addressing the anxieties about material needs discussed earlier. "All these things" (G3956, G5023) refers to the food, drink, and clothing mentioned in [Luke 12:22-30](/luke/12-22-30 "Luke 12:22-30 - Do Not Worry"). The passive voice "shall be added" emphasizes God as the active provider, assuring believers that when their spiritual priorities are aligned with His kingdom, their temporal needs will be met as a gracious byproduct of their devotion, without anxious striving.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:31 powerfully employs **Contrast** and **Exhortation** followed by **Promise**. The verse stands in stark contrast to the worldly anxieties described in the preceding verses, setting up a clear dichotomy between the pursuit of material possessions and the pursuit of God's kingdom. The phrase "But rather" explicitly signals this shift. The initial imperative, "seek ye the kingdom of God," functions as a direct **Exhortation**, a command to reorient one's life. This command is immediately followed by a divine **Promise**, "and all these things shall be added unto you," which serves as both an assurance and a motivation. This structure highlights the radical nature of Jesus' teaching: a call to counter-cultural priorities, underpinned by God's unfailing faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:31 profoundly articulates the principle of divine priority and provision, teaching that a life centered on God's kingdom inherently brings about His care for temporal needs. This is not a transactional promise where God is obligated to provide material wealth for spiritual effort, but rather an organic outcome of aligning one's life with His purposes. When the Kingdom of God—His rule, righteousness, and redemptive work—becomes the ultimate pursuit, the anxieties of daily life diminish as trust in God's Fatherly care deepens. This verse underscores the radical nature of discipleship, calling believers to live by a different economy, one where spiritual wealth and divine favor precede and encompass material well-being.

* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious")
* [Psalm 37:4-5](/psalms/37-4-5 "Psalm 37:4-5 - Delight in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:31 challenges believers to a profound re-evaluation of their life's ultimate pursuit. In a world that constantly pressures us to accumulate, achieve, and secure our future through material means, Jesus calls us to a radical counter-cultural posture: to make God's reign and righteousness our supreme ambition. This means consciously choosing to invest our time, energy, and resources into spiritual growth, serving others, advancing the Gospel, and living in obedience to God's will, rather than being consumed by the anxieties of daily provision. The promise that "all these things shall be added unto you" is not an invitation to idleness, but an assurance that as we faithfully pursue God's kingdom, He, in His boundless wisdom and love, will faithfully meet our legitimate needs. This liberation from anxiety allows us to live with greater freedom, generosity, and focus on eternal realities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What currently occupies the majority of your thoughts, time, and resources? Does this align with "seeking the kingdom of God"?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you tend to experience anxiety about provision? How might prioritizing God's kingdom help to alleviate these worries?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to more actively "seek the kingdom of God" in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Does "all these things shall be added unto you" guarantee material wealth for believers?**

Answer: No, this promise does not guarantee material wealth or a life free from hardship. The "things" Jesus refers to are the basic necessities of life—food, drink, and clothing—which He discusses in the preceding verses ([Luke 12:22-30](/luke/12-22-30 "Luke 12:22-30 - Do Not Worry")). The promise is that God, as a loving Father, knows and will provide for the genuine needs of His children when their primary focus is on His kingdom and righteousness. It's an assurance of divine care and sustenance, not a guarantee of affluence or a life without trials. The emphasis is on God's faithfulness to provide what is truly necessary, freeing believers from anxious striving for material security.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:31 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ Himself. He is not merely the one who teaches us to seek the kingdom; He is the very embodiment and inaugurator of that kingdom. In His life, ministry, death, and resurrection, Jesus perfectly demonstrated what it means to seek and live out the [kingdom of God](/luke/17-21 "Luke 17:21 - The Kingdom of God is Within You"). He consistently prioritized His Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross, trusting fully in divine provision and purpose. As the King of this kingdom, Jesus invites us not just to seek an abstract concept, but to seek Him, to follow Him, and to live under His gracious rule. When we "seek the kingdom of God," we are, in essence, seeking Christ and His righteousness, for He is the one through whom God's reign is made manifest and accessible. Our union with Him ensures that we are heirs of the kingdom ([James 2:5](/james/2-5 "James 2:5 - Heirs of the Kingdom")) and that our needs are met by the Father who cares for His children in and through His Son ([Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply Your Needs")). Thus, the command to seek the kingdom is a call to deeper relationship with Christ, in whom all spiritual and temporal blessings are found.

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 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Psalms 34:9

O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him.

1 Kings 3:11

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

1 Kings 3:13

And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

1 Timothy 4:8

For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

John 6:27

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.