Matthew 6:25

KJV

¶ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

KJV (with Strong's)

Therefore {G1223}{G5124} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Take no {G3361} thought {G3309} for your {G5216} life {G5590}, what {G5101} ye shall eat {G5315}, or {G2532} what {G5101} ye shall drink {G4095}; nor yet for {G3366} your {G5216} body {G4983}, what {G5101} ye shall put on {G1746}. Is {G2076} not {G3780} the life {G5590} more than {G4119} meat {G5160}, and {G2532} the body {G4983} than raiment {G1742}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"Therefore, I tell you, don't wor y about your life -- what you will eat or drink; or about your body -- what you will wear. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

American Standard Version

Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 6:25, a pivotal statement from Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, serves as a profound injunction against debilitating anxiety regarding life's fundamental necessities. It challenges disciples to reorient their priorities from material concerns—food, drink, and clothing—to a deep, abiding trust in God's sovereign care. By contrasting the greater gift of life and body with the lesser needs of sustenance and apparel, Jesus underscores the illogical nature of worry for those who acknowledge God as their benevolent Creator and Provider, inviting them into a life of faith unburdened by worldly cares.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus's stark declaration in [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - No One Can Serve Two Masters") that "no one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." The opening "Therefore" (Greek: *dia touto*) in [Matthew 6:25](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Be Anxious") establishes a direct logical connection: since undivided allegiance to God precludes serving wealth (mammon), the natural consequence for a follower of Christ is to cease anxious striving for the material possessions that often consume those devoted to money. Jesus transitions from a foundational principle of allegiance to its practical outworking in daily life, specifically addressing the common anxieties surrounding food, drink, and clothing, which were significant and often precarious concerns for people in the ancient, agrarian world. This verse initiates a larger discourse on worry that extends through [Matthew 6:34](/matthew/6-34 "Matthew 6:34 - Do Not Worry About Tomorrow"), providing concrete illustrations from nature (birds, lilies) to bolster the argument for divine provision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee, daily existence was often precarious. Most people lived subsistence lives, with little surplus, making concerns about the next meal or adequate clothing highly practical and immediate. Without modern social safety nets, a poor harvest, a lost job, or illness could quickly plunge a family into destitution. Food, drink, and clothing were not merely conveniences but essential elements for survival and social standing. Thus, Jesus's audience would have intimately understood the pervasive nature of anxiety related to these basic needs. Furthermore, the Greco-Roman world, like many ancient societies, often saw deities as capricious or indifferent. Jesus's teaching, therefore, stood in stark contrast to prevailing worldviews by presenting God as a personal, caring Father who actively provides for His creation, even for the seemingly insignificant. This teaching would have been revolutionary, challenging deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior rooted in scarcity and self-reliance.

* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 6:25](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Be Anxious") is a cornerstone for several major themes woven throughout the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Trust in God's Provision**. Jesus invites His disciples to a radical dependence on God, arguing that if God has bestowed the greater gifts of life and the body, He will undoubtedly provide for the lesser needs of sustenance and clothing. This theme is richly developed in the subsequent verses, where the carefree existence of [the birds of the air](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - Consider the Birds") and [the lilies of the field](/matthew/6-28-30 "Matthew 6:28-30 - Consider the Lilies") serves as a vivid illustration of God's meticulous and faithful care for all creation. Secondly, the verse directly confronts the destructive nature of **Anxiety and Worry**. The command "Take no thought" is not a call to irresponsibility but a prohibition against a debilitating, consuming anxiety that can paralyze faith and distract believers from their spiritual pursuits and the pursuit of God's kingdom. Worry, in Jesus's view, often stems from a fundamental lack of trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. Finally, this passage emphasizes the **Prioritization of Spiritual Over Material**. By posing the rhetorical question, "Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?", Jesus elevates the intrinsic value of life itself, a divine gift, above the means of its physical preservation. This encourages a profound shift in focus from earthly, temporal concerns to eternal realities and the advancement of [God's kingdom](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom"), a central tenet of Jesus's entire teaching ministry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **thought (Greek, _merimnáō'_):** From G3309, this verb means "to be anxious about," "to be worried," or "to be distracted by cares." It describes an anxious, consuming worry that can lead to spiritual distress and a lack of faith, rather than prudent planning or diligent work. Jesus is not forbidding foresight or responsible action, but rather a debilitating, faithless anxiety that consumes one's mental and emotional energy.
* **life (Greek, _psychḗ'_):** From G5590, this term denotes "breath," and by implication, "spirit," or the "animal sentient principle." It is distinct from *pneuma* (rational, immortal soul) and *zoē* (mere vitality). Here, *psychē* refers to the whole person, the very essence of one's being, their existence, and their inner self. Jesus emphasizes that this *life*, given by God, is of far greater value than the physical sustenance required to maintain it.
* **body (Greek, _sōma'_):** From G4983, this word refers to "the body (as a sound whole)." In this context, it signifies the physical organism, the vessel of life. Jesus uses it in parallel with "life" to highlight the inherent value of the physical self, which, like life, is a gift from God and therefore more significant than the clothing that adorns it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ ‹Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;":** The introductory "Therefore" (Greek: *dia touto*) links this command directly to the preceding warning against serving both God and mammon. Jesus, as the divine authority, issues a direct and emphatic instruction: "Take no thought" for your life, specifically concerning food and drink. This is not a call to irresponsibility, but a prohibition against debilitating anxiety (*merimnáō*) that distracts from a life of faith. The life itself, given by God, is the primary concern, not merely its sustenance.
* **"nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.":** This clause extends the prohibition against anxiety to the physical body and its covering—clothing. Just as life is more than food, the body is more than clothing. This reinforces the idea that God, who created the body, is certainly capable of providing for its lesser needs, challenging the audience to trust His provision for their physical appearance and comfort.
* **"Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?›":** This is a powerful rhetorical question, designed to elicit an obvious affirmative answer. Jesus forces His listeners to consider the hierarchy of value: the gift of life itself, and the physical body, are infinitely more valuable and complex than the mere food that sustains them or the clothing that covers them. If God has already given the greater (life and body), how much more will He provide the lesser (food and clothing)? This question serves as the logical foundation for the command to cease worrying, grounding faith in God's demonstrated generosity.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent **Literary Devices** in Matthew 6:25 to convey His message with clarity and impact. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"). This device is not meant to be answered aloud but to provoke deep introspection and affirm an obvious truth. By posing it, Jesus guides His audience to conclude that God, who has given the greater gifts of life and body, will surely provide the lesser necessities. This question also functions as a form of **A fortiori Argument** (from the stronger to the weaker), implying that if God cares for the more significant, He will certainly care for the less significant. Furthermore, Jesus uses **Parallelism** by structuring the latter part of the verse with "life... meat" and "body... raiment," creating a balanced and memorable contrast that highlights the disproportionate value between existence and its basic provisions. The initial "Therefore" acts as a **Transitional Marker**, explicitly linking this teaching on anxiety to the preceding principle of serving God alone, establishing a clear logical flow within the Sermon on the Mount.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:25 is deeply rooted in the Old Testament concept of God as the faithful Provider, echoing themes of divine sustenance and care for His people. It challenges a worldview that prioritizes material accumulation and self-reliance, instead calling for radical dependence on a benevolent Heavenly Father. This verse affirms God's sovereignty over all creation and His intimate knowledge of humanity's needs, positioning Him not as a distant deity but as a loving parent who cares for His children. The theological implication is that worry is, at its core, a failure of faith—a distrust in God's character and His ability to provide. By encouraging a shift from anxiety to trust, Jesus invites His followers into a more profound relationship with God, one characterized by peace and security in His unfailing love. This teaching resonates with the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant faithfulness and His commitment to sustaining those who seek Him.

* [Psalm 37:25](/psalms/37-25 "Psalm 37:25 - I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6-7 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:25 offers a timeless antidote to the pervasive anxiety that often grips human hearts, both in ancient times and in our modern, complex world. It is not a call to passivity or irresponsibility, but a radical invitation to re-evaluate what truly holds sway over our lives. In a society that often equates worth with possessions and security with financial stability, Jesus's words compel us to cultivate a profound trust in God's unfailing provision. This means actively choosing faith over fear, surrendering our worries to the One who knows our needs even before we ask. It encourages us to live with open hands, recognizing that our lives, bodies, and all that sustains them are gifts from a generous Creator. By prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness, as Jesus further instructs in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God"), we are freed from the debilitating grip of worry, allowing us to pursue God's purposes with undivided hearts and minds, confident in His loving care for every detail of our existence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of your life tend to generate the most anxiety for you (e.g., finances, health, future)?**
* **How does your current approach to these anxieties align or conflict with Jesus's command to "take no thought"?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision for your daily needs?**
* **How might shifting your focus from material concerns to spiritual priorities change your daily decisions and overall peace?**

### FAQ
**Does "Take no thought" mean I shouldn't plan for the future or work hard?**

Answer: No, Jesus's command "Take no thought" (Greek: *merimnáō*) does not advocate for idleness, irresponsibility, or a lack of foresight. The original Greek word refers to an anxious, distracting, and debilitating worry or excessive concern that can consume one's mind and lead to a lack of faith. It's a prohibition against a *faithless* anxiety, not against prudent planning, diligent work, or responsible stewardship. The Bible consistently encourages hard work ([Proverbs 6:6-11](/proverbs/6-6-11 "Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!")) and wise preparation ([Proverbs 21:5](/proverbs/21-5 "Proverbs 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.")). Jesus is addressing the internal state of worry that undermines trust in God, not the external actions of responsible living. The point is that our efforts should be driven by faith and wisdom, not by fear or consuming anxiety about outcomes beyond our control.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:25 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a teacher of profound truths but the living embodiment of the trust He commands. Jesus Himself lived a life utterly dependent on His Heavenly Father, demonstrating perfect reliance even in the face of immense physical needs and spiritual trials. His life, culminating in the ultimate act of self-giving on the cross, reveals the very heart of God's provision: not just for physical sustenance, but for eternal life. The rhetorical question, "Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" points to the greater gift of spiritual life and the redeemed body offered through Christ. He is the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), who satisfies spiritual hunger, and the [Living Water](/john/4-10-14 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water"), who quenches spiritual thirst. Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus provides the "raiment" of righteousness, clothing believers in His perfect holiness ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - Garments of Salvation")). Therefore, the anxiety addressed in [Matthew 6:25](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Be Anxious") is ultimately overcome by the peace and security found in Christ, who invites us to [cast all our anxieties on Him](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him") because He cares for us. In Him, our deepest needs—spiritual and physical—are met, freeing us to live lives of joyful trust and kingdom pursuit, knowing that our [Heavenly Father knows what we need](/matthew/6-32 "Matthew 6:32 - Your Heavenly Father Knows Your Needs") even before we ask.

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

Philippians 4:6

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Peter 5:7

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

Romans 8:32

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Psalms 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

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 12:31

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

Matthew 6:31

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