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Luke 12:25 - Do Not Worry

Audio Bible

Context

Do Not Worry
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?…

Cross References

Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Psalm 39:5-6
You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.Job 14:5
Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,Matthew 6:25-26
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.Psalm 127:2
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

Treasury of Scripture

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

Luke 19:3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

Matthew 5:36
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Matthew 6:27
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

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Able Add Age Anxious Careful Cubit Height Hour Life Measure Moment Single Solicitude Span Stature Taller Thought Worrying

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Able Add Age Anxious Careful Cubit Height Hour Life Measure Moment Single Solicitude Span Stature Taller Thought Worrying

Luke 12

1. Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13. and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.
22. We must not worry about earthly things,
31. but seek the kingdom of God;
33. give alms;
35. be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.
41. Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49. and look for persecution.
54. The people must take this time of grace;
57. because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.

Who of you by worrying
This phrase addresses the common human tendency to worry about life's uncertainties. In the biblical context, worry is often seen as a lack of trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Jesus frequently taught about the futility of worry, emphasizing reliance on God (Matthew 6:25-34). The cultural context of the time involved daily concerns about food, clothing, and shelter, which were more immediate and pressing than in many modern societies. Jesus' audience would have understood worry as a natural response to these challenges, yet He calls them to a higher trust in God.

can add a single hour
The phrase highlights the limitations of human control over life. In the original Greek, the word translated as "hour" can also mean "cubit," a measure of length, suggesting the futility of trying to extend one's life or stature through worry. This reflects the biblical theme that life and its duration are in God's hands (Psalm 139:16). The historical context shows that life expectancy was much shorter in ancient times, making the desire to extend life even more poignant.

to his life?
This rhetorical question underscores the point that worry is ineffective in altering the course of one's life. The Bible consistently teaches that God is the author of life and that He alone determines its length (Job 14:5). This phrase connects to the broader biblical narrative of trusting God with one's life and future, as seen in passages like Proverbs 3:5-6. It also points to the ultimate hope in Christ, who offers eternal life beyond the temporal concerns of this world (John 3:16).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching His disciples and the crowd about the futility of worry and the importance of trusting in God's provision.

2. The Disciples
The primary audience of Jesus' teaching, they are learning about faith and reliance on God.

3. The Crowd
A larger group of people who are also listening to Jesus' teachings, representing a broader audience beyond the immediate circle of disciples.

Teaching Points

The Futility of Worry
Worrying does not change our circumstances or extend our lives. It is an unproductive use of our time and energy.

Trust in God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control of our lives, including the length of our days. Trusting in His plan brings peace.

Focus on the Present
Jesus encourages us to live in the present, focusing on today's challenges rather than being consumed by future uncertainties.

Prayer as a Response to Anxiety
Instead of worrying, turn to prayer. Present your concerns to God, who cares for you and is able to provide.

Seek First the Kingdom
Prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will take care of your needs as you align your life with His purposes.Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

Who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

of
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

you
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

by worrying
μεριμνῶν (merimnōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3309: To be over-anxious; with acc: To be anxious about, distracted; I care for. From merimna; to be anxious about.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

add
προσθεῖναι (prostheinai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4369: To place (put) to, add; I do again. From pros and tithemi; to place additionally, i.e. Lay beside, annex, repeat.

a single hour
πῆχυν (pēchyn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4083: A cubit, about a foot and a half. Of uncertain affinity; the fore-arm, i.e. a cubit.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
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.

lifespan?
ἡλικίαν (hēlikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2244: Age, term of life; full age, maturity; stature. From the same as helikos; maturity.

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