Matthew 6:30

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?

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}?

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!

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?

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

Matthew 6:30 is a powerful rhetorical question from Jesus, delivered during His Sermon on the Mount. This verse serves as a profound assurance of God's meticulous care for His creation and a gentle rebuke to those who struggle with worry, urging them to cultivate a deeper trust in divine provision.

Context

This verse is part of Jesus's extensive teaching on anxiety and material possessions, found in Matthew 6:25-34. Following His instruction not to worry about life's basic necessities like food and clothing, Jesus uses the natural world as an object lesson. He points to the birds of the air, who neither sow nor reap yet are fed by God (Matthew 6:26), and the lilies of the field, which are arrayed in greater splendor than King Solomon (Matthew 6:29). Matthew 6:30 extends this argument to the humble "grass of the field," reinforcing the logical conclusion that if God cares for the temporary, He will surely care for humanity.

Key Themes

  • God's Meticulous Providence: The verse highlights God's active and detailed involvement in sustaining even the most transient elements of His creation. The "grass of the field" is ephemeral, flourishing "to day" and destined for the "oven" (likely as fuel for baking) "to morrow." Yet, God "clothe[s]" it with beauty and life. This underscores His boundless and precise care for all things.
  • The Value of Humanity: Jesus draws a stark contrast between the fleeting life of grass and the inherent, eternal value of human beings, who are made in God's image. The rhetorical question, "shall he not much more clothe you," challenges the listener to recognize their immense worth in God's eyes compared to temporary vegetation.
  • The Rebuke of "Little Faith": The phrase "O ye of little faith" (Greek: oligopistoi - ὀλιγόπιστοι) is a recurring gentle rebuke from Jesus, indicating an insufficient or wavering trust in God. It suggests that anxiety and worry stem not from a lack of resources, but from a lack of confidence in God's character and ability to provide. Jesus uses this same phrase when His disciples show doubt, such as Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:31) or when they forget to bring bread (Matthew 16:8).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "clothe" (amphiennymi - ἀμφιέννυμι) means to array, to put on, or to adorn. It implies more than just covering; it speaks to the beautiful way God dresses the natural world, even the grass, with vibrant life and color. This reinforces the idea that God's provision is not merely functional but also glorious.

Practical Application

Matthew 6:30 offers timeless wisdom for navigating life's anxieties:

  • Release Worry: This verse directly challenges the modern tendency to worry about financial security, future provisions, and daily needs. It encourages believers to surrender their anxieties to God, trusting in His steadfast care.
  • Cultivate Trust: It calls us to develop a deeper, unwavering trust in God's character and His promise to provide. If God cares for the temporary grass, He will surely care for His beloved children, who are of far greater value.
  • Prioritize God's Kingdom: The broader context of this passage culminates in the instruction to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, with the assurance that all necessary things will be added. This verse reinforces the idea that when our priorities align with God's, our anxieties diminish. Like Philippians 4:6-7 advises, we are called to cast our anxieties on Him through prayer and supplication.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 14:31 (15 votes)

    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 (15 votes)

    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 (11 votes)

    ¶ 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 (9 votes)

    [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 (9 votes)

    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 (8 votes)

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

  • James 1:11 (8 votes)

    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.