Matthew 6:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →In light of the Father's care, Jesus repeats the command not to be consumed by anxious questions about provision.
What Does Matthew 6:31 Mean?
Having shown how God feeds the birds and clothes the fields, Jesus restates his command. He gathers the basic worries -- what to eat, what to drink, what to wear -- into the anxious questions that can dominate a life.
The repetition is deliberate: he has built his case from the birds and the lilies, and now applies it. These fretful questions are not to be the refrain of the disciple's heart. Asking them in anxiety treats the Father as if He were absent or indifferent, when He has shown Himself to be neither. Jesus is clearing space in the soul that worry would otherwise fill, making room for trust. The believer is freed from being driven by these questions, because the One who hears them already knows and already cares.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 6:31
What does Matthew 6:31 mean?
In light of the Father's care, Jesus repeats the command not to be consumed by anxious questions about provision.