Matthew 6:30

KJV

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, [shall he] not much more [clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore {G1161}, if {G1487} God {G2316} so {G3779} clothe {G294} the grass {G5528} of the field {G68}, which to day {G4594} is {G5607}, and {G2532} to morrow {G839} is cast {G906} into {G1519} the oven {G2823}, shall he not {G3756} much {G4183} more {G3123} clothe you {G5209}, O ye of little faith {G3640}?

Complete Jewish Bible

If this is how God clothes grass in the field -- which is here today and gone tomorrow, thrown in an oven -- won't he much more clothe you? What little trust you have!

Berean Standard Bible

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

American Standard Version

But if God doth so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 6:30 is a pivotal rhetorical question posed by Jesus within His profound Sermon on the Mount, serving as both a tender assurance of God's meticulous, all-encompassing care for His creation and a gentle yet firm challenge to His disciples regarding their anxiety. By drawing a vivid contrast between the ephemeral beauty of field grass—here today, gone tomorrow—and the enduring value of human life, Jesus powerfully underscores the boundless nature of divine providence and calls His followers to cultivate a deeper, unwavering trust in God's faithful provision, thereby confronting the root of worry: a lack of faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jesus's extended discourse on worry and material possessions, a central theme of [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"). Preceding this verse, Jesus has already used the examples of birds, which are fed by God without human toil ([Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds")), and the lilies of the field, which are adorned with a splendor surpassing even King Solomon's ([Matthew 6:28-29](/matthew/6-28-29 "Matthew 6:28-29 - Consider the Lilies")). Matthew 6:30 builds upon these illustrations, escalating the argument by moving from creatures that merely exist to something as transient and seemingly insignificant as grass. The rhetorical question here serves as the logical culmination of His argument, solidifying the premise that if God cares for the lesser and temporary, He will undoubtedly care for His image-bearers, who are of infinitely greater worth. The passage then transitions to a direct command to [seek first the kingdom of God](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom") and a prohibition against worrying about tomorrow.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Jesus's teaching was an agrarian society where the "grass of the field" (χόρτος, _chórtos_) was a common sight, flourishing quickly in the spring rains but just as quickly withering under the intense summer sun. This dried vegetation, including grass, weeds, and wildflowers, was not merely discarded; it was a common and essential fuel source for domestic purposes, particularly for heating ovens (κλίβανος, _klíbanos_) to bake bread. Homes often had small, clay ovens, and dried plant matter provided readily available, albeit short-lived, heat. This daily reality made Jesus's analogy profoundly relatable and impactful to His audience. The imagery of grass being "cast into the oven" was not a metaphor for destruction but a description of its practical, albeit temporary, utility and ultimate perishability. This stark reality of transient life contrasted sharply with the human tendency to worry about long-term needs, highlighting the disproportionate nature of human anxiety compared to God's enduring provision.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 6:30 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within [the Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5-7 - The Sermon on the Mount") and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's Meticulous Providence**, showcasing His active and detailed involvement in sustaining even the most fleeting elements of His creation. The divine act of "clothing" the grass underscores His boundless and precise care for all things, down to the smallest blade. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Inherent Value of Humanity** in God's eyes. By contrasting the temporary existence of grass with the eternal significance of human beings, who are made in God's image, Jesus challenges His listeners to recognize their immense worth. The rhetorical question, "shall he not much more clothe you," serves as a powerful affirmation of humanity's unique position in creation. Lastly, the phrase "O ye of little faith" (ὀλιγόπιστοι, _oligópistoi_) introduces the theme of **The Rebuke of Insufficient Faith**. This recurring gentle correction from Jesus, also seen when [Peter doubts on the water](/matthew/14-31 "Matthew 14:31 - Peter's Little Faith") or when [disciples misunderstand His teaching](/matthew/16-8 "Matthew 16:8 - Why Are You Discussing That You Have No Bread?"), indicates that anxiety stems not from a lack of resources but from a wavering confidence in God's character and ability to provide.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **clothe (Greek, _amphiénnymi'_):** From the base meaning "to invest," this verb signifies more than merely covering; it implies adorning, arraying, or dressing with beauty and splendor. In the context of the grass, it speaks to the vibrant colors and intricate designs with which God naturally embellishes even the most common and transient vegetation, indicating a divine provision that is not just functional but also glorious and abundant.
* **oven (Greek, _klíbanos'_):** This refers to an earthen pot or kiln used for baking. In ancient Palestine, dried grass, weeds, and other plant matter were commonly used as fuel for these ovens. The mention of the grass being "cast into the oven" highlights its ephemeral nature and its ultimate, practical end, emphasizing its transient existence compared to the enduring spiritual reality of human beings.
* **little faith (Greek, _oligópistos'_):** A compound word derived from "little" (ὀλίγος) and "faith" (πίστις), this term describes someone who is "incredulous" or "lacking confidence" in God, particularly in His ability to provide. It's a gentle but direct rebuke from Jesus, pointing to a deficiency not in intellectual assent to God's existence, but in practical, unwavering trust in His daily care and promises. It suggests that worry is a symptom of this insufficient reliance on divine providence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,"**: This opening clause establishes the premise of Jesus's argument. "Wherefore" (G1161, _dé_) links this statement to the preceding examples of birds and lilies, indicating a continuation of the same line of reasoning. The phrase "if God so clothe" refers to the magnificent way God arrays even the most common and temporary vegetation with beauty and life, a visible demonstration of His intricate and abundant care for creation.
* **"which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven,"**: This clause emphasizes the extreme transience and perceived insignificance of the grass. "To day is" highlights its brief flourishing existence, while "to morrow is cast into the oven" vividly portrays its swift end as fuel. This stark contrast underscores the humble and fleeting nature of the object of God's detailed care, setting up the logical leap to follow.
* **"shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"**: This is the culminating rhetorical question, the heart of the verse. The phrase "much more" (G4183, _polýs_ G3123, _mâllon_) highlights the immense disparity in value between temporary grass and eternal human beings, who are made in God's image. The question implies an undeniable affirmative answer: if God cares for the less valuable and transient, He will certainly care for His beloved children. The concluding address, "O ye of little faith" (G3640, _oligópistos_), serves as a direct, compassionate rebuke, identifying the root cause of anxiety as a lack of confident trust in God's character and provision.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 6:30 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, which Jesus uses not to elicit information but to make a powerful assertion and invite self-reflection. By posing the question, "shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?", Jesus compels His audience to logically conclude the affirmative, thereby affirming God's abundant care. This question is built upon a strong **Analogy** or **A Fortiori Argument** (from the lesser to the greater). Jesus compares God's care for the transient grass to His care for humanity, arguing that if God attends to something so ephemeral, He will "much more" attend to His image-bearers. This comparison involves **Juxtaposition**, placing the fleeting grass ("to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven") directly against the enduring worth of human beings, emphasizing the vast difference in their value. Furthermore, there is an element of **Personification** in the phrase "God so clothe the grass," attributing to God the act of dressing or adorning the natural world, highlighting His active and personal involvement in creation's beauty and sustenance. The phrase "O ye of little faith" also functions as a gentle **Rebuke**, a direct address that pinpoints the spiritual condition underlying anxiety.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:30 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's providence and the human response of faith. It reveals a God who is not distant or uncaring, but intimately involved in the minutiae of His creation, demonstrating a level of care for even the most transient forms of life that far surpasses human adornment. This meticulous attention to the "grass of the field" serves as an irrefutable argument for His even greater commitment to humanity, His image-bearers, whom He values infinitely more. The verse challenges the human tendency towards anxiety, identifying it as a symptom of "little faith"—a lack of confident trust in God's character and His unfailing ability to provide. Theologically, it calls believers to align their understanding of God's character with their daily living, moving from intellectual assent to practical reliance, thereby freeing themselves from the bondage of worry and enabling them to prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness.

* [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")
* [Psalm 37:25](/psalms/37-25 "Psalm 37:25 - I Have Never Seen the Righteous Forsaken")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:30 offers timeless wisdom for navigating the pervasive anxieties of life, particularly in a world that often equates security with material accumulation and self-reliance. Jesus's rhetorical question serves as a powerful invitation to introspection: if our benevolent God lavishes such intricate care upon the fleeting grass, how much more will He attend to our needs, both physical and spiritual? This verse challenges us to confront the root of our worries, which Jesus identifies not as a lack of resources, but as a "little faith"—an insufficient trust in God's unwavering character and boundless provision. Practically, it calls us to a radical reorientation of our priorities, shifting from a preoccupation with earthly concerns to a confident reliance on our heavenly Father. This means intentionally surrendering our anxieties, cultivating a deeper intimacy with God through prayer, and actively seeking His kingdom first, trusting that as we do so, He will faithfully meet our needs. It encourages us to live with a confident assurance that God's care is not merely sufficient, but abundant and glorious, just as He "clothes" the fields with beauty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific anxieties in your life reveal an area where your faith in God's provision might be "little"?**
* **How does understanding God's meticulous care for something as temporary as grass change your perspective on your own worth and His commitment to you?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally "cast your anxieties" upon God and cultivate a deeper, unwavering trust in His daily provision?**

### FAQ
**What does Jesus mean by "grass of the field" being "cast into the oven"?**

Answer: Jesus is referring to the common practice in ancient Palestine of using dried vegetation, including grass, weeds, and wildflowers, as fuel for domestic ovens. In that arid climate, grass would grow quickly after the rains but would soon wither and dry out under the intense sun. This dried plant matter was readily available and served as an efficient, albeit temporary, source of heat for baking bread and other household needs. The imagery is not meant to imply destruction or waste, but rather to emphasize the extremely transient and utilitarian nature of the grass, contrasting it sharply with the enduring value and eternal destiny of human beings. If God cares for something so fleeting and destined for the fire, He will certainly care for His beloved children.

**Why does Jesus call His disciples "O ye of little faith"? Is it a harsh rebuke?**

Answer: The phrase "O ye of little faith" (Greek: _oligópistoi_) is a recurring gentle rebuke from Jesus throughout the Gospels, often directed at His own disciples. It is not a harsh condemnation but rather a compassionate, pedagogical correction. It points to a deficiency not in the existence of faith, but in its depth, consistency, and confidence. It suggests that their anxiety and worry stem from an insufficient trust in God's character and His ability to provide, despite having witnessed His power and heard His teachings. Jesus uses this phrase to encourage them to grow in their reliance on God, reminding them that worry is incongruent with the reality of a sovereign, loving, and provident heavenly Father.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:30, while rooted in the Old Testament understanding of God's providence, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "much more" argument—if God cares for the grass, how much more for you—culminates in the ultimate demonstration of God's care through His Son. God's act of "clothing" the grass with beauty foreshadows His ultimate provision for humanity's deepest need: salvation and eternal life. Just as the grass's temporary existence points to its need for divine sustenance, humanity's fleeting life and spiritual poverty point to its desperate need for a Savior. God did not spare His own Son, but [gave Him up for us all](/romans/8-32 "Romans 8:32 - He Who Did Not Spare His Own Son"), demonstrating a love and provision infinitely greater than merely clothing the fields. Through Christ, we are not just clothed with physical sustenance, but with righteousness ([Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Isaiah 61:10 - He Has Clothed Me With Garments of Salvation")), spiritual life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - I Have Come That They May Have Life")), and the promise of eternal glory. Jesus Himself embodies the very providence He describes, becoming the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - I Am the Bread of Life") and the [Living Water](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - The Gift of Living Water"), ensuring that those who trust in Him will never hunger or thirst. Our "little faith" is overcome by faith in the One who perfectly trusted the Father, and through whom [all our needs are supplied](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - My God Will Supply All Your Needs") according to His riches in glory.

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 14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Luke 12:28

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

1 Peter 1:24

¶ For all flesh [is] as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

Matthew 16:8

[Which] when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Matthew 8:26

And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

James 1:10

But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

James 1:11

For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.