Luke 12:24 - Do Not Worry
Consider the ravens:
Ravens are mentioned several times in the Bible, often symbolizing God's provision. In the Old Testament, God used ravens to feed Elijah during a time of drought (1 Kings 17:4-6). Ravens are unclean birds according to Levitical law (Leviticus 11:15), yet Jesus uses them to illustrate God's care, emphasizing that God's provision transcends human distinctions of clean and unclean.
They do not sow or reap:
This phrase highlights the natural order of creation, where ravens do not engage in agricultural activities like humans. It underscores the idea that God's creation is sustained by His providence without human intervention. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over creation, as seen in Genesis 1, where God provides for all living creatures.
They have no storehouse or barn;
Ravens do not gather or store food, contrasting with human practices of storing and planning for the future. This echoes the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21, where reliance on material wealth is shown to be futile. The absence of a storehouse or barn in the life of a raven serves as a metaphor for trusting in God's daily provision.
yet God feeds them:
This statement affirms God's active role in sustaining His creation. It reflects the teaching found in Psalm 147:9, which states that God provides food for the animals. The emphasis is on God's faithfulness and care, encouraging believers to trust in His provision.
How much more valuable you are than the birds!
This phrase emphasizes the greater worth of humans in God's eyes, aligning with the biblical teaching that humans are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). It reassures believers of their value and God's care for them, echoing Matthew 10:31, where Jesus tells His followers they are worth more than many sparrows. This comparison serves to strengthen faith in God's provision and care for His people.
Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this passage, offering a teaching on trust and reliance on God.
2. Ravens
Birds mentioned by Jesus as an example of God's provision in nature.
3. Disciples
The primary audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers.
4. God
The provider and sustainer of all creation, emphasizing His care for humanity.
5. Nature
The broader context in which ravens exist, illustrating God's provision in the natural world.
Teaching Points
Trust in God's Provision
Just as God provides for the ravens, He will provide for us. We are called to trust in His care and provision.
Value in God's Eyes
We are more valuable than birds, and this should reassure us of God's love and attention to our needs.
Freedom from Anxiety
Understanding God's provision should free us from anxiety about material needs, allowing us to focus on His kingdom.
Simplicity and Contentment
Embrace a lifestyle of simplicity and contentment, knowing that God will supply what we need.
Faith in Action
Our faith should be active, trusting God while also being responsible stewards of what He provides.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from Luke 12What does the Bible say about saving money?If Jesus' sacrifice paid for all sins, why do Christians still suffer consequences for sin?Why did God rest on day seven?How can ravens (1 Kings 17:4) realistically supply a prophet with enough food to survive, given the limited carrying capacity of birds?
(24, 25) Consider the ravens.--See Notes on Matthew 6:26-27. Here, however, we have the more specific "ravens" instead of the wider "fowls of the air," as another example of independence. The choice of the special illustration was possibly determined by the language of the Psalmist, "He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry" (Psalm 147:9).
Verses 24-27. - Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them... Consider the lilies... 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. What a contrast between the life of the rich and prosperous landowner just related, whose whole heart and soul were concentrated on a toil which should procure him dainty food and costly raiment, and these fowls fed by God so abundantly, and those flowers clothed by God so royally! The ravens knew nothing of the anxious care and the restless toil of the rich man in the midst of which he died, and yet they lived. The lilies simply grew, and God's hand painted the rich and gorgeous clothing for each golden-jewelled flower; Solomon, the splendid Jewish king, the example of all that was magnificent, was never arrayed, men knew, like one of these lilies. With such a God above them, who surely loved each one as he never loved a bird or flower, was it worth while to wear a life away in toiling for tess than what God simply gave to raven and to lily? Such was the Master's argument, adorned, we may well conceive, with all the beauty and force of Eastern illustration. We possess, after all, but a scant resume of these Divine sermons. To apostle and chosen missionary his words had a peculiar interest. He bade them, in coming days of poverty and abandonment, never to lose heart. They would remember then their loved Teacher's words that day when he spoke of the fate of one whose life had been wasted in filling his storehouses and his barns; would remember how he turned from the foolish, toiling rich man, and told them of the birds and flowers, and how God tenderly cared even for such soulless things. Did they think he would ever lose sight of them, his chosen servants? They might surely reckon on the loving care of that Master to whose cause they were giving their life-service. Yet have these and other like words of the great Teacher been often misunderstood; and St. Paul's earnest and repeated exhortations to his converts - not to neglect honest toil, but by it to win bread for themselves, and something withal to be generous with to those poorer than they - were his protest against taking the Masterwords in too literal a sense, and using them as a pretext for a dreamy and idle life. Paul's teaching, and perhaps still more Paul's life - that life of brave, simple toil for himself and others - were his comment upon this part of the Master's sermon. The lilies. It is a little doubtful whether our Lord meant to speak of the red anemone, a very common but beautiful flower, with which the meadows throughout all Palestine are enamelled (Anemone coronaria), or the great white lily (Lilium candidum), or the exquisite red lily (Lilium rubrum); these latter are more rare. The Savior, probably, had each of these and other specimens of the flora of Palestine in his mind, when he spoke of the inimitable beauty and the matchless splendor of these flowers of God. Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Consider
κατανοήσατε (katanoēsate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2657: To take note of, perceive, consider carefully, discern, detect, make account of. From kata and noieo; to observe fully.
the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
ravens:
κόρακας (korakas)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2876: A raven, crow. Perhaps from korennumi; a crow.
They do not sow
σπείρουσιν (speirousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4687: To sow, spread, scatter. Probably strengthened from spao; to scatter, i.e. Sow.
[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.
reap;
θερίζουσιν (therizousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2325: To reap, gather, harvest. From theros; to harvest.
they
οἷς (hois)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.
have
ἔστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
no
οὐκ (ouk)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.
storehouse
ταμεῖον (tameion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5009: A store-chamber, secret chamber, closet; a granary, barn.
[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.
barn,
ἀποθήκη (apothēkē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 596: A repository, granary, barn, storehouse. From apotithemi; a repository, i.e. Granary.
yet
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.
feeds
τρέφει (trephei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5142: A primary verb; properly, to stiffen, i.e. Fatten (with food, etc.), pamper, rear).
them.
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
How much
πόσῳ (posō)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4214: How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).
more
μᾶλλον (mallon)
Adverb
Strong's 3123: More, rather. Neuter of the comparative of the same as malista; more) or rather.
valuable are you
διαφέρετε (diapherete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1308: From dia and phero; to bear through, i.e. transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. to toss about; subjectively, to 'differ', or surpass.
than the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
birds!
πετεινῶν (peteinōn)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 4071: A bird, fowl. Neuter of a derivative of petomai; a flying animal, i.e. Bird.
Links
Luke 12:24 NIV
Luke 12:24 NLT
Luke 12:24 ESV
Luke 12:24 NASB
Luke 12:24 KJVLuke 12:24 BibleApps.com
Luke 12:24 Biblia Paralela
Luke 12:24 Chinese Bible
Luke 12:24 French Bible
Luke 12:24 Catholic BibleNT Gospels: Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: they don't sow they (Luke Lu Lk)