Matthew Chapter 6 · Verse 25
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
Therefore
G1223
διὰ
Therefore
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 32
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
3 of 32
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
μὴ
Take no
G3361
μὴ
Take no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
5 of 32
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴ
life
G5590
ψυχὴ
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
8 of 32
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
10 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
13 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
17 of 32
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
19 of 32
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἐνδύσησθε·
ye shall put on
G1746
ἐνδύσησθε·
ye shall put on
Strong's:
G1746
Word #:
20 of 32
to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ψυχὴ
life
G5590
ψυχὴ
life
Strong's:
G5590
Word #:
23 of 32
breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh
πλεῖόν
more than
G4119
πλεῖόν
more than
Strong's:
G4119
Word #:
24 of 32
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τροφῆς
meat
G5160
τροφῆς
meat
Strong's:
G5160
Word #:
27 of 32
nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
28 of 32
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
29 of 32
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
30 of 32
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
Cross References
Philippians 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.1 Peter 5:7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.Psalms 55:22Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.Romans 8:32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?Matthew 6:31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?Mark 4:19And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.Matthew 10:19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.1 Corinthians 7:32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:Matthew 6:34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.Luke 8:14And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Historical Context
First-century Palestinian peasants lived subsistence-level existence where food and clothing insecurity was daily reality. Roman taxation, tenant farming, and debt made survival precarious. Jesus' command wasn't glib advice to the comfortable but radical trust for the genuinely vulnerable. His teaching assumes the Father's provision (6:26-30) and kingdom priorities (6:33). Early Christians practiced economic sharing that alleviated survival anxiety through community support.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between anxious worry and responsible planning for the future?
- How does recognizing life's transcendent value free us from anxiety about life's necessities?
- What specific anxieties about provision reveal areas where you're not fully trusting God?
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus commands freedom from anxiety: 'Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on' (Greek: μὴ μεριμνᾶτε τῇ ψυχῇ ὑμῶν, 'do not be anxious for your life'). The verb μεριμνάω means anxious worry, not responsible planning. 'Therefore' connects to the previous teaching on serving God versus mammon - those who serve God can trust Him for provision. Jesus asks a rhetorical question: 'Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?' Life's value transcends its maintenance. Anxiety about provision reveals misplaced trust and distorted values.