King James Version

What Does Luke 12:25 Mean?

Luke 12:25 in the King James Version says “And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?” — study this verse from Luke chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?”

Luke 12:25 · KJV

Context

23

The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26

If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Read Luke 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Jesus employs rhetorical questions to expose anxiety's futility. The phrase with taking thought (merimnon, μεριμνῶν) again uses the verb for anxious worry. The question format expects the answer "no one"—anxiety accomplishes nothing productive. Can add to his stature one cubit presents interpretive complexity. The Greek helikia (ἡλικία) means either physical stature/height or span of life/age, and pechyn (πῆχυν, cubit) was about 18 inches—a unit of length that could metaphorically describe time.

Most commentators favor the "span of life" interpretation for two reasons: (1) the context concerns provision, not appearance, making lifespan more relevant than height; (2) adding 18 inches to height is not a "least" thing (v. 26) but would be dramatic, whereas adding a small increment of time could be. Either way, Jesus' point stands: merimna (anxiety) cannot alter realities God controls. Worry adds neither height nor lifespan—it's utterly ineffective for achieving what it obsesses over.

This verse anticipates Jesus' Gethsemane prayer, where He submits His psyche to the Father's will (Luke 22:42). If the sinless Son cannot extend His life apart from divine providence, how much less can anxious disciples? Sovereignty belongs to God; submission and trust are the disciple's proper response.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The cubit (pechys, πῆχυς) was a common ancient measurement, roughly the length from elbow to fingertip. It functioned both literally (for construction, cloth measurement) and metaphorically (for time, as in Psalm 39:5, "thou hast made my days as an handbreadth"). Jews in Jesus' day were intensely aware of divine sovereignty over lifespan—the Psalms repeatedly acknowledge that God numbers our days (Psalm 90:12, 139:16). Jesus' rhetorical question would resonate with hearers who understood human limitations. Anxiety was recognized as counterproductive even in secular Greco-Roman philosophy (Stoicism taught ataraxia, freedom from anxiety), but Jesus grounds the prohibition in divine providence rather than human willpower.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific worries consume mental and emotional energy but accomplish nothing to change your circumstances?
  2. How does recognizing God's absolute sovereignty over lifespan affect your anxiety about health, safety, and the future?
  3. In what areas of life do you attempt to seize control that properly belongs to God alone?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
τίς1 of 13

“which”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

δὲ2 of 13

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἐξ3 of 13

“of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

ὑμῶν4 of 13

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

μεριμνῶν5 of 13

“with taking thought”

G3309

to be anxious about

δύναται6 of 13

“can”

G1410

to be able or possible

προσθεῖναι7 of 13

“add”

G4369

to place additionally, i.e., lay beside, annex, repeat

ἐπὶ8 of 13

“to”

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τὴν9 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἡλικίαν10 of 13

“stature”

G2244

maturity (in years or size)

αὐτοῦ11 of 13
G846

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

πῆχυν12 of 13

“cubit”

G4083

the fore-arm, i.e., (as a measure) a cubit

ἕνα13 of 13

“one”

G1520

one

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 12:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 12:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 6:27Matthew 5:36

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 12 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 12 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes