Matthew 6:31

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

Therefore {G3767} take no {G3361} thought {G3309}, saying {G3004}, What {G5101} shall we eat {G5315}? or {G2228}, What {G5101} shall we drink {G4095}? or {G2228}, Wherewithal {G5101} shall we be clothed {G4016}?

"So don't be anxious, asking, `What will we eat?,' `What will we drink?' or `How will we be clothed?'

Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

Commentary

Matthew 6:31, found within Jesus' profound Sermon on the Mount, serves as a direct command against excessive worry about life's basic necessities. This verse encapsulates a core teaching on faith and divine providence.

Context

This verse is a continuation of Jesus' teaching on anxiety, immediately following His illustrations of God's care for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:26, Matthew 6:28). The audience, living in an agrarian society with often uncertain futures, would have been deeply familiar with concerns over food, drink, and clothing. Jesus addresses these very real anxieties head-on, challenging His disciples to shift their focus from earthly worries to heavenly trust.

Key Themes

  • Trust in God's Provision: The overarching message is to place unwavering confidence in God as a loving Father who knows and provides for His children's needs.
  • Rejection of Anxiety: Jesus explicitly forbids anxious thought concerning material possessions. This isn't a call to irresponsibility, but a prohibition against debilitating worry that undermines faith.
  • Prioritizing the Spiritual: By dismissing preoccupation with earthly needs, Jesus implicitly encourages His followers to prioritize spiritual matters, a theme explicitly stated in Matthew 6:33.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "take no thought" can be misleading to a modern reader. The original Greek word is merimnaō (μεριμνάω), which means "to be anxious," "to be troubled with cares," or "to worry." Therefore, a more contemporary rendering would be, "Do not worry about what you will eat or drink or wear." This clarifies that Jesus is not advocating for carelessness or a lack of planning, but rather a freedom from consuming and debilitating anxiety that stems from a lack of trust in God.

Practical Application

In a world often consumed by consumerism and economic uncertainty, Matthew 6:31 remains profoundly relevant. It challenges believers to examine the source of their anxieties. While prudent planning and hard work are biblical principles, this verse calls us to release the burden of worry to God. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of dependence and gratitude, knowing that our Heavenly Father is aware of our needs and capable of meeting them. This verse serves as a powerful reminder to seek peace in God's sovereignty rather than in the fleeting security of material possessions.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Peter 5:7 (26 votes)

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

  • Luke 12:29 (23 votes)

    And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

  • Matthew 4:4 (17 votes)

    But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

  • Psalms 55:22 (16 votes)

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

  • Matthew 15:33 (14 votes)

    And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

  • 2 Chronicles 25:9 (13 votes)

    And Amaziah said to the man of God, But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel? And the man of God answered, The LORD is able to give thee much more than this.

  • Psalms 37:3 (13 votes)

    Trust in the LORD, and do good; [so] shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.