Matthew 6:26
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Original Language Analysis
ἐμβλέψατε
Behold
G1689
ἐμβλέψατε
Behold
Strong's:
G1689
Word #:
1 of 28
to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
2 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανοῦ
of the air
G3772
οὐρανοῦ
of the air
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
6 of 28
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
7 of 28
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
σπείρουσιν
they sow
G4687
σπείρουσιν
they sow
Strong's:
G4687
Word #:
9 of 28
to scatter, i.e., sow (literally or figuratively)
συνάγουσιν
gather
G4863
συνάγουσιν
gather
Strong's:
G4863
Word #:
13 of 28
to lead together, i.e., collect or convene; specially, to entertain (hospitably)
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
14 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
καὶ
yet
G2532
καὶ
yet
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ
Father
G3962
πατὴρ
Father
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
18 of 28
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐράνιος
heavenly
G3770
οὐράνιος
heavenly
Strong's:
G3770
Word #:
21 of 28
celestial, i.e., belonging to or coming from the sky
τρέφει
feedeth
G5142
τρέφει
feedeth
Strong's:
G5142
Word #:
22 of 28
but perhaps strengthened from the base of g5157 through the idea of convolution); properly, to stiffen, i.e., fatten (by implication, to cherish (with
αὐτῶν;
them
G846
αὐτῶν;
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 28
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
Cross References
Psalms 147:9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.Job 38:41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.Matthew 6:32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.Job 35:11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?Matthew 7:9Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Historical Context
Palestinian birds included ravens (Luke 12:24), sparrows, and doves. In agrarian society, birds were sometimes viewed as pests eating grain, yet they survived on God's provision. Jewish wisdom literature celebrated God's providence in creation (Psalm 104:27-28, 147:9). Jesus' teaching echoes Job 38-39 where God points to His faithful ordering of creation. This wouldn't minimize human responsibility to work (2 Thessalonians 3:10) but reframes it within trust, not anxiety.
Questions for Reflection
- How does observing God's provision in nature strengthen trust in His care for us?
- What does this teaching reveal about God's character and priorities?
- How can we balance diligent work with trust in God's provision rather than anxious striving?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus uses creation as object lesson: 'Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?' (Greek: οὐχ ὑμεῖς μᾶλλον διαφέρετε αὐτῶν, 'are you not much more valuable than they?'). 'Behold' (ἐμβλέπω) means 'look carefully, observe.' Birds don't practice agriculture yet survive. This isn't advocating irresponsibility but highlighting God's faithful provision in creation's order. The argument is from lesser to greater (qal vahomer in Hebrew logic) - if God feeds birds, how much more will He provide for humans made in His image? This reveals God's character as faithful provider.