Luke 12:22

Authorized King James Version

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Εἶπεν
he said
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#2
δὲ
And
but, and, etc
#3
πρὸς
unto
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
#4
τοὺς
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
μαθητὰς
disciples
a learner, i.e., pupil
#6
αὐτοῦ
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#7
Διὰ
Therefore
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
#8
τοῦτο
that thing
#9
ὑμῖν·
unto you
to (with or by) you
#10
λέγω
I say
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#11
μὴ
no
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
#12
μεριμνᾶτε
Take
to be anxious about
#13
τῇ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
ψυχῇ
life
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
#15
ὑμῶν,
for your
of (from or concerning) you
#16
τί
what
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#17
φάγητε
ye shall eat
to eat (literally or figuratively)
#18
μηδὲ
neither
but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor
#19
τῷ
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
σώματι
for the body
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
#21
τί
what
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
#22
ἐνδύσησθε
ye shall put on
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing life contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Luke Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes life in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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