King James Version

What Does Luke 12:28 Mean?

Luke 12:28 in the King James Version says “If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will h...” — study this verse from Luke chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?”

Luke 12:28 · KJV

Faith

Context

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.

28

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. neither: or, live not in careful suspense

30

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? Jesus applies the lily illustration with qal wahomer logic. The conditional If then God so clothe (ei de ton chorton en agro, εἰ δὲ τὸν χόρτον ἐν ἀγρῷ) assumes what is obviously true—God does clothe the grass (chorton, χόρτον), a term encompassing all field vegetation including flowers. This grass exists fleetingly: to day in the field (σήμερον ὄντα ἐν ἀγρῷ), and to morrow is cast into the oven (καὶ αὔριον εἰς κλίβανον βαλλόμενον). Palestinian peasants gathered dried grass and wildflowers as fuel for clay ovens—cheap, abundant, and disposable.

The conclusion: how much more will he clothe you (poso mallon hymas, πόσῳ μᾶλλον ὑμᾶς)—by how much more, to what greater degree! If God invests creative beauty in temporary vegetation destined for fire, He will certainly provide for eternal souls made in His image. The a fortiori argument is irresistible: you are infinitely more valuable than grass. Divine care for the lesser guarantees provision for the greater.

Jesus' rebuke: O ye of little faith (oligopistoi, ὀλιγόπιστοι)—a compound of oligos (small, little) and pistis (faith, trust). This word appears five times in the Gospels, always as Jesus' gentle but pointed diagnosis of disciples' anxiety (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8). Anxiety reveals deficient faith—not absence of faith but insufficiency. They believe, but not robustly enough to dispel worry. Growth in pistis is the antidote to merimna.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient Palestine, ovens (klibanos, κλίβανος) were typically clay or stone structures for baking bread. Fuel was scarce—wood was expensive and trees rare, so people burned dried grass, thorns, and flowers gathered from fields. This was daily reality for Jesus' hearers. The imagery of grass clothing comes from Psalm 104:14 and Isaiah 40:6-8, which contrast human frailty with God's eternal word. Jesus builds on this prophetic tradition, arguing from God's lavish care for transient creation to His certain provision for His children. His rebuke of 'little faith' echoes Moses' similar challenge to Israel's wilderness complaints about provision (Exodus 16).

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific anxieties reveal areas where your faith is 'little' rather than robust and trusting?
  2. How does recognizing your infinite value to God (compared to grass) affect your daily worries about provision?
  3. What spiritual practices help you grow from 'little faith' to mature trust in God's character and promises?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
εἰ1 of 22

“If”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

δὲ2 of 22

“then”

G1161

but, and, etc

τὸν3 of 22
G3588

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

χόρτον4 of 22

“the grass”

G5528

a "court" or "garden", i.e., (by implication, of pasture) herbage or vegetation

ἐν5 of 22

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῷ6 of 22
G3588

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

ἀγρῷ7 of 22

“the field”

G68

a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet

σήμερον8 of 22

“is to day”

G4594

on the (i.e., this) day (or night current or just passed); generally, now (i.e., at present, hitherto)

ὄντα9 of 22

“which”

G5607

being

καὶ10 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

αὔριον11 of 22

“to morrow”

G839

properly, fresh, i.e., (adverb with ellipsis of g2250) to-morrow

εἰς12 of 22

“into”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

κλίβανον13 of 22

“the oven”

G2823

an earthen pot used for baking in

βαλλόμενον14 of 22

“is cast”

G906

to throw (in various applications, more or less violent or intense)

ὁ15 of 22
G3588

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

θεὸς16 of 22

“God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

οὕτως17 of 22

“so”

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

ἀμφιέννυσιν18 of 22

“clothe”

G294

to enrobe

πόσῳ19 of 22

“how much”

G4214

interrogative pronoun (of amount) how much (large, long or (plural) many)

μᾶλλον20 of 22

“more”

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

ὑμᾶς21 of 22

“will he clothe you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὀλιγόπιστοι22 of 22

“O ye of little faith”

G3640

incredulous, i.e., lacking confidence (in christ)

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 12:28 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 12:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 40:6Matthew 14:31Matthew 6:301 Peter 1:24Matthew 17:20Matthew 16:8

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