King James Version

What Does Matthew 6:25 Mean?

Matthew 6:25 in the King James Version says “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your bod... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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?

Matthew 6:25 · KJV


Context

23

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

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?

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?

27

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between anxious worry and responsible planning for the future?
  2. How does recognizing life's transcendent value free us from anxiety about life's necessities?
  3. What specific anxieties about provision reveal areas where you're not fully trusting God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
διὰ1 of 32

Therefore

G1223

through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)

τοῦτο2 of 32
G5124

that thing

λέγω3 of 32

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

ὑμῖν,4 of 32

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

μὴ5 of 32

Take no

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

μεριμνᾶτε6 of 32

thought

G3309

to be anxious about

τῇ7 of 32
G3588

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

ψυχὴ8 of 32

life

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

ὑμῶν,9 of 32

for your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

τί10 of 32

what

G5101

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

φάγητε11 of 32

ye shall eat

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

καὶ12 of 32

and

G2532

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

τί13 of 32

what

G5101

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

πίητε,14 of 32

ye shall drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

μηδὲ15 of 32

nor yet for

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

τῷ16 of 32
G3588

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

σῶμα17 of 32

body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

ὑμῶν,18 of 32

for your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

τί19 of 32

what

G5101

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

ἐνδύσησθε·20 of 32

ye shall put on

G1746

to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively)

οὐχὶ21 of 32

not

G3780

not indeed

22 of 32
G3588

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

ψυχὴ23 of 32

life

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

πλεῖόν24 of 32

more than

G4119

more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion

ἐστιν25 of 32

Is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τῆς26 of 32
G3588

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

τροφῆς27 of 32

meat

G5160

nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication, rations (wages)

καὶ28 of 32

and

G2532

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

τὸ29 of 32
G3588

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

σῶμα30 of 32

body

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τοῦ31 of 32
G3588

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

ἐνδύματος;32 of 32

than raiment

G1742

apparel (especially the outer robe)


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 6:25 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 Matthew 6:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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