Matthew 6:27

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

{G1161} Which {G1537}{G5101} of you {G5216} by taking thought {G3309} can {G1410} add {G4369} one {G1520} cubit {G4083} unto {G1909} his {G846} stature {G2244}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 6:27, Jesus poses a profound rhetorical question during His Sermon on the Mount, challenging the inherent futility of human anxiety. This verse serves as a potent reminder that worry, no matter how intense or prolonged, is utterly incapable of altering one's physical being or extending one's lifespan, thereby underscoring the limits of human control and the boundless nature of divine providence. It encourages believers to surrender their anxieties to God, who alone holds ultimate sovereignty over life's circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jesus' extended discourse on anxiety, found in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). Following His direct command not to worry about life, food, or clothing in [Matthew 6:25](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Worry About Your Life"), Jesus provides compelling illustrations from the natural world. He points to the birds of the air, which neither sow nor reap yet are fed by their heavenly Father [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds"), and the lilies of the field, which are clothed in glory surpassing Solomon's splendor, despite their fleeting existence [Matthew 6:28-30](/matthew/6-28-30 "Matthew 6:28-30 - God Clothes the Lilies"). The rhetorical question of [Matthew 6:27](/matthew/6-27 "Matthew 6:27 - The Futility of Worry") acts as a logical linchpin, connecting these observations to the human condition and driving home the irrationality of worry in light of God's meticulous care for His creation. It serves as a direct challenge to the common human tendency to fret over matters entirely beyond personal control.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Galilee, life was often precarious, marked by subsistence farming, limited resources, and vulnerability to natural disasters or political instability. Concerns about daily sustenance—food, drink, and clothing—were not abstract but immediate and pressing realities for most people. The concept of "stature" (Greek _hēlikía_) could refer to physical height or to one's lifespan/age. A "cubit" (Greek _pēchys_) was a common unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to 18 inches (45 cm), typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. To "add one cubit" to one's stature was an idiom for making a significant, even impossible, change to one's physical being or extending one's life. This impossibility would have been readily understood by Jesus' audience, highlighting the absolute limits of human effort in certain domains. Jesus' teaching directly confronted the pervasive anxieties of a society with little control over its circumstances, offering a radical alternative rooted in trust in God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. It reinforces the **Futility of Worry**, demonstrating that anxious thought is a barren endeavor, incapable of producing any positive change in fundamental aspects of life like physical growth or lifespan. It highlights **Human Limitations**, emphasizing that there are spheres of existence—particularly those pertaining to our physical constitution and the duration of our lives—that remain entirely outside human manipulation and control. Implicitly, it points to the **Sovereignty and Provision of God**, asserting that since humanity cannot add even a small measure to itself through worry, ultimate control and sustenance must reside with a divine power. This theme is further developed in the subsequent verses, which call believers to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that all necessary things will be provided [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **thought (Greek, _merimnáō_):** From G3309, meaning "to be anxious about," "to be troubled with cares," or "to worry." This is not merely casual thinking or planning, but a consuming, burdensome, and often unproductive anxiety that distracts and weighs heavily on the soul. It denotes an inner state of distraction and division, where one's mind is pulled in different directions by various concerns.
* **add (Greek, _prostíthēmi_):** From G4369, meaning "to place additionally," "lay beside," "annex," or "repeat." In this context, it signifies the act of increasing or extending something. Jesus' question emphasizes the complete inability of human anxiety to make any such addition, highlighting the powerlessness of worry.
* **stature (Greek, _hēlikía_):** From G2244, meaning "maturity (in years or size)," "age," or "stature." While "a cubit" (G4083, _pēchys_) clearly refers to a measure of length, suggesting physical height, the broader meaning of _hēlikía_ allows for the interpretation of "lifespan" or "age." Both interpretations convey the same message of human inability to control fundamental aspects of existence through worry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Which of you":** This opening phrase immediately engages the audience directly, making the question personal and challenging each individual to consider their own experience with worry. It sets up a rhetorical challenge, implying that the answer is self-evident and universally applicable.
* **"by taking thought":** This refers to the act of worrying, being anxious, or being consumed by cares (_merimnáō_). Jesus specifies the *method* by which one might attempt to alter their circumstances, highlighting its ineffectiveness. The phrase emphasizes that the internal state of anxiety is the subject of His critique.
* **"can add one cubit":** This refers to the ability to increase or extend something by a specific, albeit small, measure. A "cubit" was a standard unit of length. The question posits a seemingly minor increment, yet one that is utterly beyond human capability through worry.
* **"unto his stature?":** This concludes the rhetorical question, specifying what cannot be altered by worry. As discussed in "Key Word Analysis," "stature" (_hēlikía_) can mean physical height or lifespan. Whether referring to literally growing taller or extending one's life by a small measure, the point is the same: worry cannot effect such change.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several powerful literary devices in [Matthew 6:27](/matthew/6-27 "Matthew 6:27 - The Futility of Worry") to convey His message. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?" This question is not posed to elicit information but to make a point, assuming a self-evident negative answer. It forces the audience to confront the logical absurdity and practical futility of anxiety. By asking a question whose answer is obvious, Jesus powerfully underscores the irrationality of worry. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Hyperbole** or an extreme example. The idea of adding a cubit to one's physical height (or lifespan) by worrying is an impossible and exaggerated scenario, which serves to emphasize the utter powerlessness of anxiety to change even the smallest, most fundamental aspects of one's being. This exaggeration highlights the sheer wastefulness of worry. The term "stature" also carries a potential **Metaphorical** meaning, referring not just to physical height but also to the span of one's life. In this sense, the "cubit" becomes a metaphor for a small increment of time, reinforcing the idea that human anxiety cannot extend or control the duration of life, which is ultimately in God's hands.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:27 is a foundational statement within Jesus' broader teaching on God's providential care and the call to radical trust. It challenges a fundamental human inclination to control and manipulate circumstances through anxious thought, revealing the inherent limitations of such efforts. Theologically, it underscores God's absolute sovereignty over life, including its duration and physical attributes, positioning Him as the ultimate sustainer rather than human effort or worry. This verse invites believers to release their grip on what they cannot control and, instead, to cultivate a posture of profound dependence on a loving and capable Heavenly Father. It serves as a strong counter-narrative to the world's pervasive message of self-reliance and anxiety, redirecting focus from temporal concerns to eternal realities and God's kingdom.

* [Luke 12:25-26](/luke/12-25-26 "Luke 12:25-26 - The Futility of Worry")
* [Psalm 39:4-5](/psalms/39-4-5 "Psalm 39:4-5 - The Brevity of Life")
* [Proverbs 27:1](/proverbs/27-1 "Proverbs 27:1 - Do Not Boast About Tomorrow")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:27 serves as a poignant mirror, reflecting our own tendencies toward worry and inviting us to a deeper level of trust. In a world that often praises self-sufficiency and constant striving, Jesus' words remind us that some of life's most fundamental aspects are entirely beyond our anxious grasp. This truth is not meant to induce fatalism but to liberate us from the crushing burden of trying to control the uncontrollable. When we recognize the futility of worry, we are freed to redirect our energy from fruitless fretting to faithful living. This means actively seeking God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He, who cares for the birds and the lilies, will surely provide for His children. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of contentment and gratitude, understanding that true peace comes not from eliminating all uncertainties, but from resting in the certainty of God's unwavering love and provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of my life do I tend to worry about most, and how does this verse challenge my perception of control in those areas?**
* **How might releasing my anxieties, as encouraged by Jesus, free up my mental and emotional energy for more productive and kingdom-focused pursuits?**
* **In what practical ways can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even when circumstances seem uncertain?**

### FAQ

**Does "stature" in Matthew 6:27 refer to physical height or lifespan?**

Answer: The Greek word used, _hēlikía_ (G2244), can indeed mean both "physical height" and "age" or "lifespan." Given that a "cubit" is a measure of length, the most direct interpretation would be adding to one's physical height. However, adding 18 inches to one's height is an obvious impossibility, which aligns with Jesus' point about the futility of worry. Many scholars also argue for the interpretation of "lifespan" because extending one's life by even a small measure (a "cubit" of time) is equally impossible through worry. The broader context of Jesus' teaching on worry about life itself [Matthew 6:25](/matthew/6-25 "Matthew 6:25 - Do Not Worry About Your Life") supports the idea that He is addressing fundamental aspects of human existence, including its duration. Ultimately, whether referring to physical height or lifespan, the core message remains the same: worry is powerless to alter these fundamental aspects of our being, which are under God's sovereign control.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:27, while a powerful statement on the futility of worry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and practical solution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a teacher who points out our limitations, but the very embodiment of the trust in God He advocates. Jesus Himself lived a life of complete dependence on His Father, even in the face of immense suffering and the cross [Luke 22:42](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane"). He perfectly modeled casting all cares upon God, knowing His Father's will and provision. For believers, the answer to the rhetorical question of [Matthew 6:27](/matthew/6-27 "Matthew 6:27 - The Futility of Worry") is found in Christ's invitation: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary"). Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus has dealt with the root cause of our anxiety—sin and separation from God—and through His resurrection, He has conquered death, the ultimate source of fear. Therefore, the Christian is called not merely to cease worrying, but to actively trust in the Lordship of Christ, who promises to meet our needs [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Will Supply Your Needs") and to grant us a peace that transcends all understanding [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"). Our inability to add a cubit to our stature by worrying points us to the One who has already added infinitely to our lives through His grace, offering eternal life and a secure future in Him [John 10:28](/john/10-28 "John 10:28 - I Give Them Eternal Life").

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

Luke 12:25

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

Luke 12:26

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

Ecclesiastes 3:14

I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth [it], that [men] should fear before him.

Psalms 39:5

Behold, thou hast made my days [as] an handbreadth; and mine age [is] as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state [is] altogether vanity. Selah.

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.

Matthew 5:36

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

1 Corinthians 12:18

But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.