Luke 12:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Jesus spoke to disciples who faced genuine economic vulnerability—fishermen, tax collectors, and others who left occupations to follow Him (Luke 5:11, 28). Unlike modern Western contexts with social safety nets, first-century Palestine offered no unemployment benefits, food stamps, or welfare programs. Missing a harvest or losing employment could mean starvation. In this context, Jesus' command to stop worrying was radical and countercultural. It required trusting that the Father who feeds sparrows and clothes lilies would provide for His children. This teaching must have seemed especially challenging given the economic realities of subsistence-level existence in Roman-occupied Judea.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific anxieties about provision dominate your thought life, and how do they reveal areas where you struggle to trust God?
- How does Jesus' teaching challenge both the hoarding of the rich fool and the anxious worry He prohibits here?
- In what ways does consumer culture encourage the very anxiety Jesus forbids, and how can you resist those messages?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Jesus transitions from warning about greed to teaching about anxiety. The connecting word Therefore (dia touto, διὰ τοῦτο) links the parable of the rich fool to this discourse—since earthly treasure cannot secure your soul, stop obsessing over material provision. Take no thought (me merimnate, μὴ μεριμνᾶτε) means stop being anxious, cease worrying, don't be divided in mind. The verb merimnao (μεριμνάω) comes from merizo (to divide) and nous (mind)—anxiety fractures mental focus and spiritual peace.
The command addresses your life (te psyche, τῇ ψυχῇ)—the same psyche God required from the rich fool (v. 20). But where the fool trusted possessions, disciples must trust providence. Jesus specifies two fundamental needs: what ye shall eat (ti phagete, τί φάγητε) and what ye shall put on (ti endysesthe, τί ἐνδύσησθε)—food and clothing, the basics of survival. The prohibition is not against planning or working but against merimna (μέριμνα, anxious worry) that betrays lack of trust in God's provision.
This teaching directly challenges worldly values. The nations seek these things (v. 30), but disciples of the kingdom operate differently. Paul later echoes this: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Philippians 4:6).