Matthew 6:29

KJV

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

KJV (with Strong's)

And yet {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} even {G3761} Solomon {G4672} in {G1722} all {G3956} his {G846} glory {G1391} was {G4016} not {G3761} arrayed {G4016} like {G5613} one {G1520} of these {G5130}.

Complete Jewish Bible

yet I tell you that not even Shlomo in all his glory was clothed as beautifully as one of these.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

American Standard Version

yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 6:29, Jesus delivers a profound statement within His Sermon on the Mount, asserting God's meticulous care for creation and, by extension, for humanity. He starkly contrasts the unparalleled earthly splendor of King Solomon, renowned for his immense wealth and magnificent attire, with the simple, effortless beauty of a common field flower. This comparison serves to highlight the supreme artistry and boundless provision of God, underscoring the futility of human anxiety over material needs when divine care so effortlessly surpasses even the greatest human achievements.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus's extended discourse on worry, found in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). It immediately follows His instruction to "consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin" in [Matthew 6:28](/matthew/6-28 "Matthew 6:28 - Consider the Lilies"). The comparison to Solomon in [Matthew 6:29](/matthew/6-29 "Matthew 6:29 - Solomon's Glory Compared to Lilies") serves as the climactic point of this illustration, emphasizing that even the most magnificent human display pales in comparison to God's natural provision. The passage then transitions to the logical conclusion in [Matthew 6:30](/matthew/6-30 "Matthew 6:30 - God Clothes the Grass"), arguing that if God cares for transient grass, He will surely care for His people, culminating in the exhortation to "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus's audience, primarily Jewish, would have been intimately familiar with the legendary wealth and unparalleled glory of King Solomon, as detailed in the Old Testament books of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Solomon and Division of the Kingdom") and [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles - History of Judah from Solomon to Exile"). Solomon's reign represented the zenith of Israelite earthly power, wisdom, and material prosperity, with accounts of his gold, silver, and magnificent temple and palace construction (e.g., [1 Kings 10:23-27](/1_kings/10-23-27 "1 Kings 10:23-27 - Solomon's Unparalleled Wealth")). By invoking Solomon, Jesus chose the ultimate human benchmark for splendor. The "lilies of the field" refer to common wildflowers prevalent in Galilee, such as scarlet anemones or gladioli, which, though beautiful, were wild, grew without human cultivation, and had a short lifespan. Clothing was a significant indicator of status and wealth in ancient society, making the comparison particularly potent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Care**, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to even the most ephemeral parts of His creation, thereby assuring His children of His unwavering provision. Secondly, it highlights the **Folly of Human Worry and Anxiety**, contrasting human striving and concern with God's effortless and superior provision. If God so splendidly clothes the transient wildflowers, how much more will He care for human beings, who are of infinitely greater value to Him (cf. [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - Birds of the Air"))? Lastly, it subtly reinforces the theme of **True Glory vs. Earthly Splendor**, asserting that the inherent, divinely-ordained beauty of creation surpasses any transient, humanly-achieved glory, redirecting focus from worldly possessions to a deeper trust in God's kingdom.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **glory (Greek, _dóxa_):** From the base of δοκέω (dokeō), meaning "to seem, to think." _Dóxa_ refers to glory as something very apparent, often associated with dignity, honor, praise, or worship. In this context, it denotes the visible splendor, renown, and magnificent display of Solomon's wealth and power, which was the epitome of earthly magnificence.
* **arrayed (Greek, _peribállō_):** Derived from περί (peri, "around") and βάλλω (ballō, "to throw"), meaning "to throw all around" or "to invest." It signifies being clothed or adorned completely and comprehensively. Jesus uses this word to describe the natural, effortless adornment of the lilies by God, contrasting it with the painstaking effort and vast resources required to "array" Solomon in his royal splendor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And yet I say unto you":** This introductory phrase marks a significant declaration by Jesus, emphasizing the authority and weight of His following statement. The "yet" (G1161, _dé_) serves as an adversative or continuative particle, connecting this profound truth to the preceding observation about the lilies and setting up a striking contrast.
* **"That even Solomon in all his glory":** This clause introduces the benchmark for human magnificence. King Solomon, known for his immense wealth, wisdom, and the opulence of his kingdom (as described in [1 Kings 10](/1_kings/10 "1 Kings 10 - Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom")), represents the pinnacle of human-achieved splendor and power. The phrase "in all his glory" highlights the totality and comprehensiveness of his earthly display.
* **"was not arrayed like one of these":** This is the core of Jesus's startling comparison. "One of these" refers to the "lilies of the field" mentioned in the preceding verse. The statement asserts that even Solomon, at the height of his grandeur, could not match the natural, effortless, and divinely-bestowed beauty of a simple wildflower. This highlights the qualitative difference between human effort and divine artistry, emphasizing God's superior capacity for provision and aesthetic perfection.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several potent literary devices in [Matthew 6:29](/matthew/6-29 "Matthew 6:29 - Solomon's Glory Compared to Lilies") to convey His message. The primary device is **Comparison and Contrast**, where the unparalleled earthly splendor of King Solomon is directly juxtaposed with the inherent, unadorned beauty of a common field lily. This contrast is designed to highlight the vast qualitative difference between human achievement and divine provision. Furthermore, Jesus uses **Hyperbole** by stating that Solomon, in "all his glory," was *not* arrayed like a flower. This is an intentional exaggeration to underscore the immense superiority of God's work over human endeavors. The lilies themselves serve as **Symbolism**, representing God's effortless care, transient beauty, and the natural world's reliance on divine provision, while Solomon symbolizes the epitome of human striving, wealth, and temporary earthly glory. The overall effect is a powerful rhetorical argument that challenges human priorities and encourages profound trust in God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:29 profoundly speaks to the nature of God's sovereignty and His intimate involvement in His creation. It reveals a God who is not only immense in power but also meticulous in His care, attending to the smallest details of the natural world with an artistry that surpasses human imagination and effort. This divine attention to the transient beauty of a flower serves as a powerful theological argument for God's even greater care for humanity, who are made in His image and are of eternal value. The verse challenges the human tendency to find security in material possessions or earthly achievements, redirecting our gaze to the effortless abundance of God's provision and the inherent beauty of His design. It teaches that true security and splendor are found not in what we accumulate or create, but in the unwavering faithfulness and boundless generosity of our Creator.

* [Psalm 104:14](/psalm/104-14 "Psalm 104:14 - God Provides for Plants and Animals")
* [Luke 12:27](/luke/12-27 "Luke 12:27 - Consider the Lilies (Parallel Passage)")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast All Your Anxiety on Him")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:29 serves as a profound call to re-evaluate our priorities and cultivate a radical trust in God's unfailing provision. In a world often consumed by anxiety over material security, status, and future uncertainties, Jesus's words offer a liberating perspective: if God so magnificently clothes the fleeting beauty of a wildflower, how much more will He clothe and care for us, His beloved children, who are of infinitely greater worth? This verse challenges us to release the grip of worry and embrace a posture of confident dependence on our heavenly Father. It invites us to find beauty and contentment not in striving for earthly splendor, which is ultimately surpassed by a simple flower, but in recognizing and appreciating the effortless perfection of God's creation as a constant testament to His character. By shifting our focus from what we lack to what God effortlessly provides, we can experience a deeper peace and freedom, enabling us to pursue His kingdom and righteousness with unburdened hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the comparison between Solomon's glory and the lilies challenge my own understanding of true value and splendor?**
* **Where do I tend to place my trust for security and provision—in my own efforts, material possessions, or God's faithfulness?**
* **What specific anxieties or worries can I intentionally surrender to God, trusting in His promise to provide?**

### FAQ
**Why does Jesus choose King Solomon as the point of comparison?**

Answer: Jesus chooses King Solomon because, in the Jewish cultural and historical consciousness, Solomon represented the absolute pinnacle of earthly wealth, wisdom, and magnificent splendor. His reign was the golden age of Israel's material prosperity, with his luxurious palace, the glorious temple he built, and his vast riches being legendary (see [1 Kings 10](/1_kings/10 "1 Kings 10 - Solomon's Wealth and Wisdom")). By comparing the most lavish human display of "glory" to the simple, uncultivated beauty of a common field flower, Jesus creates the most striking and undeniable contrast possible. This rhetorical choice powerfully emphasizes that even the greatest human achievement and opulence pales in comparison to the effortless, natural, and divinely-bestowed beauty found in God's creation, thereby underscoring the absolute superiority of God's provision and artistry over any human endeavor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Matthew 6:29 speaks directly of God's providential care demonstrated in creation, its deepest fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus, as the Son of God, is the ultimate embodiment of divine glory, not in earthly splendor like Solomon, but in His perfect obedience, humility, and sacrificial love. He is the one who perfectly trusts the Father for all things, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). Unlike Solomon, whose kingdom was earthly and temporary, Jesus inaugurates an eternal, spiritual kingdom, inviting His followers to seek *His* righteousness and *His* kingdom above all else ([Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")). In Christ, we find the true and lasting provision that transcends material needs, offering spiritual life, peace, and eternal security ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life") and [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The fleeting beauty of the lilies, effortlessly clothed by God, foreshadows the eternal beauty and perfect provision found in the one who is the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son's Superiority")). Through Christ, believers are invited into a relationship with the Father where their needs are met not by anxious striving, but by the abundant grace of the King of kings, whose glory far surpasses any earthly display.

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

2 Chronicles 9:20

And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon [were of] gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon [were of] pure gold: none [were of] silver; it was [not] any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:22

And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.

2 Chronicles 9:4

And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

2 Chronicles 9:6

Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen [it]: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: [for] thou exceedest the fame that I heard.

1 Peter 3:2

While they behold your chaste conversation [coupled] with fear.

1 Peter 3:5

For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

1 Kings 10:4

And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built,