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Matthew 6

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

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!

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.

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?

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?

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

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

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

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

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.

What does Matthew 6:31 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 6:31 comes from the New Testament of the Christian Bible and is a part of what is widely known as the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of teachings and sayings of Jesus Christ.

This particular verse, taken from the King James Version (KJV), is Jesus' instruction to His followers not to worry about physical needs like food and drink, or material possessions like clothing.

The emphasis is on the deeper meaning that one should trust in God's providence and care.

Jesus is teaching that life is more than food and the body more than clothes, suggesting that spiritual dimensions of life should take precedence over material concerns.

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Historical Context

During the time when Jesus delivered this sermon, people throughout the Roman Empire and in Judea faced challenges such as poverty, famine, and political oppression.

Daily sustenance was not easily secured, and anxiety over basic needs was common.

Jesus addressed a crowd that likely included poor peasants and others facing uncertainty in their daily provisions.

His teachings aimed to shift focus from earthly struggles to spiritual priorities, assuring that God is aware of and will provide for their needs.

Theological Insights

Within Christian theology, this verse is often interpreted as Jesus advocating for a life of faith and dependence upon God.

The key theological insight here is that of divine providence; the view that God provides for and sustains all creation with everything necessary for existence.

There are various interpretations across different Christian denominations.

For instance, some see this as a call to asceticism or simplicity, while others view it as a reassurance of God's care which therefore frees them to serve and trust God more fully.

Practical Applications

The teachings from Matthew 6:31 can be applied in daily life in numerous ways.

It can encourage individuals to decrease their anxiety about material concerns and increase their faith in divine provision.

This can lead to a less consumer-driven lifestyle, rejecting the obsession with accumulation and choosing a simpler way of living.

Practically, believers are encouraged to prioritize their time and energy on spiritual growth and serving others rather than accumulating wealth and goods.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:25-26 "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; ...

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them..."

Luke 12:22-24 "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on..."
Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the phrase "take no thought" is translated from the Greek word "μεριμνάω" (merimnaō), which can mean to be anxious or to be unduly concerned about something.

This word suggests a distraction or a preoccupation that pulls a person away from other pursuits, such as spiritual growth or dependence on God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient religions and cultures, there was a deep concern for daily sustenance and a reliance on deities to provide for these needs.

In ancient Greek mythology, for instance, gods like Demeter were worshipped as protectors of the harvest and providers of food.

Comparatively, Jesus' teaching shifts the focus from appeasing deities for material provision to trusting in a personal God who knows individual needs and cares for His followers.

Scientific Perspectives

From a modern scientific perspective, worries about sustenance can be seen through the lens of evolutionary biology and psychology, where survival includes competition for resources.

By stressing that one need not worry about basic needs, Jesus' teaching might be understood as a call to transcend these basic evolutionary drives, adopting a mindset that is less about survival and more about a different sort of fulfillment and trust.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentaries offer diverse perspectives on Matthew 6:31.

Some emphasize the spiritual liberation found in trusting God rather than being enslaved by material concerns.

Others view the passage as practical, grounding it in the reality that excessive worry does not change circumstances.

Renowned biblical commentators like Matthew Henry refer to this teaching as an encouragement to faith and dependence on God, freeing individuals from the dominance of worldly anxieties.

Contemporary scholars might also highlight the social dimensions of Jesus' teaching, challenging the consumer-driven values of modern society.

Matthew 6

Matthew 6

What does Matthew 6:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 6:31 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?