King James Version

What Does Matthew 6:34 Mean?

Matthew 6:34 in the King James Version says “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto th...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Take 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.”

Matthew 6:34 · KJV

Context

32

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34

Take 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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Take 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. This verse concludes Jesus' extended teaching on anxiety and trust in God's provision (6:25-34). The command me oun merimnesete (μὴ οὖν μεριμνήσητε, "do not be anxious") is a strong prohibition against the divided mind and distracted heart that worry produces. Merimna (μέριμνα) literally means "to be pulled in different directions," describing the mental fragmentation anxiety creates.

"The morrow" (ten aurion, τὴν αὔριον) represents future uncertainties beyond our control. Jesus personifies tomorrow as having its own concerns—a rabbinic-style expression acknowledging that each day brings sufficient challenges. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" uses kakia (κακία), which can mean "trouble" or "hardship" rather than moral evil. Jesus acknowledges life's real difficulties while prohibiting debilitating worry about future ones.

This teaching flows from the Father's proven faithfulness (6:26-30) and the priority of seeking God's kingdom (6:33). It's not advocating irresponsibility or lack of planning—prudence and preparation differ from anxiety. Rather, Jesus addresses the sinful tendency to live in imagined futures, rehearsing disasters, and attempting to control what only God controls. Trust in divine providence liberates believers from tomorrow's tyranny to faithfully serve today. The "therefore" (oun, οὖν) connects this command to the preceding argument: because God knows, cares, and provides, anxiety is both unnecessary and inappropriate for His children.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke these words to an audience living in agrarian subsistence economy where tomorrow's provision was genuinely uncertain. Unlike modern societies with food security and social safety nets, first-century Galilean peasants faced real daily uncertainty about food, clothing, and shelter. Roman taxation, tenant farming arrangements, debt slavery, and periodic famines made economic anxiety a constant companion. When Jesus said "do not worry about tomorrow," He addressed people whose tomorrows held legitimate cause for concern.

Jewish wisdom literature acknowledged anxiety while promoting trust in God (Psalms 37:25; Proverbs 3:5-6). However, by Jesus' time, religious leaders had created an elaborate system of laws and traditions ostensibly to secure God's blessing through proper observance. This could subtly promote anxiety—am I righteous enough? Have I fulfilled all requirements? Jesus liberates His followers from this religious performance anxiety as well as economic worry.

The early church receiving Matthew's Gospel faced persecution, economic marginalization, and social ostracism. Christians were often excluded from trade guilds, making economic survival precarious. Jesus' words provided not naive optimism but robust theological grounding for trust amid genuine hardship. The command to seek first God's kingdom (6:33) reminded believers that their ultimate security lay not in earthly circumstances but in their heavenly Father's sovereign care and eternal purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific future anxieties currently consume your mental and emotional energy instead of trusting God?
  2. How does worrying about tomorrow prevent you from faithfully serving God and loving others today?
  3. In what ways do you attempt to control future outcomes that only God can control, revealing lack of trust?
  4. How can you distinguish between wise planning and prudence versus the sinful anxiety Jesus prohibits?
  5. What does your pattern of worry reveal about whether you truly believe God knows your needs and will provide?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
μὴ1 of 18

“no”

G3361

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

οὖν2 of 18

“therefore”

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

μεριμνήσει3 of 18

“Take”

G3309

to be anxious about

εἰς4 of 18

“for”

G1519

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

ἡ5 of 18

“for the things”

G3588

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

αὔριον6 of 18

“the morrow”

G839

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

ἡ7 of 18

“for the things”

G3588

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

γὰρ8 of 18

“for”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

αὔριον9 of 18

“the morrow”

G839

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

μεριμνήσει10 of 18

“Take”

G3309

to be anxious about

ἡ11 of 18

“for the things”

G3588

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

ἑαυτῆς·12 of 18

“of itself”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

ἀρκετὸν13 of 18

“Sufficient”

G713

satisfactory

ἡ14 of 18

“for the things”

G3588

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

ἡμέρᾳ15 of 18

“unto the day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἡ16 of 18

“for the things”

G3588

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

κακία17 of 18

“is the evil”

G2549

badness, i.e., (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble

αὐτῆς18 of 18

“thereof”

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

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 6:34 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 6:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 6:25John 14:27Hebrews 13:5-6John 16:33Luke 11:3Lamentations 3:23

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