CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Luke 12:23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/luke/12-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/42_Luk_12_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Luke 12:23 - Do Not Worry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/luke/12-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/luke/12-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/luke/">Luke</a> > <a href="/luke/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/luke/12-22.htm" title="Luke 12:22">◄</a> Luke 12:23 <a href="/luke/12-24.htm" title="Luke 12:24">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/luke/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/luke/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/luke/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/luke/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/luke/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/luke/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The life is more than meat, and the body <i>is more</i> than raiment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/luke/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Life is more than food, and the body <i>is more</i> than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/luke/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body <i>is more</i> than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/luke/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/luke/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/luke/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/luke/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/luke/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/luke/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/luke/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/luke/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Life is more than food or clothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/luke/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/luke/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/luke/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/luke/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/luke/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/luke/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/luke/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/luke/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The life is more than food, and the body is more than raiment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/luke/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/luke/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />life is more than nourishment, and the body than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/luke/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/luke/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> the life is more than the nourishment, and the body than the clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/luke/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The soul is more than food, and the body than clothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/luke/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The life is more than the meat, and the body is more than the raiment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/luke/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/luke/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/luke/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/luke/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the life is much more important than food, and the body than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/luke/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“For the soul is more important than food, and the body than clothing.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/luke/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Life is a greater gift than food, and the body, than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/luke/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>The soul is more than food, and the body more than raiment.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/luke/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />The life is more than food, and the body than raiment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/luke/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/luke/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift than clothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/luke/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>for the soul is more than the food; and the body, than the clothing.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/luke/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>the life is more than food, and the body than raiment.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/luke/12-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-5_0Jtd9Lc?start=5155" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/luke/12.htm">Do Not Worry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22</span>Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5590.htm" title="5590: psychē (N-NFS) -- From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.">life</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/4119.htm" title="4119: pleion (Adj-NNS-C) -- Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.">more than</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5160.htm" title="5160: trophēs (N-GFS) -- Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations.">food,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4983.htm" title="4983: sōma (N-NNS) -- Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.">body</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">more than</a> <a href="/greek/1742.htm" title="1742: endymatos (N-GNS) -- A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel.">clothes.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">24</span>Consider 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!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Matthew 6:25</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6-7</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-7.htm">1 Peter 5:7</a></span><br />Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31-33</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-22.htm">Psalm 55:22</a></span><br />Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-31.htm">Matthew 10:31</a></span><br />So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a></span><br />Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-8.htm">1 Timothy 6:8</a></span><br />But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5</a></span><br />Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-25.htm">Psalm 37:25</a></span><br />I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-32.htm">Romans 8:32</a></span><br />He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/9-8.htm">2 Corinthians 9:8</a></span><br />And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/38-41.htm">Job 38:41</a></span><br />Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-29.htm">Genesis 1:29-30</a></span><br />Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/19-17.htm">Genesis 19:17</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-12.htm">Job 1:12</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath <i>is</i> in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-4.htm">Job 2:4,6</a></b></br> And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/12-22.htm">Body</a> <a href="/luke/9-29.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/luke/12-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/mark/7-11.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/luke/12-18.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/luke/12-22.htm">Life</a> <a href="/luke/11-37.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Nourishment</a> <a href="/luke/10-30.htm">Raiment</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/14-13.htm">Body</a> <a href="/luke/12-28.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/luke/12-28.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Food</a> <a href="/luke/24-49.htm">Gift</a> <a href="/luke/12-24.htm">Greater</a> <a href="/luke/12-25.htm">Life</a> <a href="/luke/12-37.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/luke/23-29.htm">Nourishment</a> <a href="/luke/23-34.htm">Raiment</a><div class="vheading2">Luke 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-1.htm">Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-13.htm">and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-22.htm">We must not worry about earthly things,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-31.htm">but seek the kingdom of God;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-33.htm">give alms;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-35.htm">be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-41.htm">Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">49. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-49.htm">and look for persecution.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">54. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-54.htm">The people must take this time of grace;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">57. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/luke/12-57.htm">because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/luke/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/luke/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For life is more than food</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the spiritual and eternal aspects of life over the material and temporal. In the biblical context, Jesus is addressing His disciples, teaching them not to worry about their physical needs. This reflects the broader biblical theme that spiritual well-being and relationship with God are of greater importance than material possessions. In <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a>, Jesus quotes <a href="/deuteronomy/8-3.htm">Deuteronomy 8:3</a>, saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God," reinforcing the idea that spiritual nourishment is paramount. Historically, in the first-century Jewish culture, food was a daily concern due to economic conditions, making this teaching radical and counter-cultural.<p><b>and the body more than clothes</b><br>This phrase continues the theme of prioritizing spiritual over material concerns. Clothing in biblical times was a significant indicator of social status and identity, yet Jesus teaches that the body, created in the image of God, holds more intrinsic value than the garments that cover it. This echoes the teaching in <a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a>, where God tells Samuel that He looks at the heart rather than outward appearances. Theologically, this points to the belief that humans are more than their physical form; they are spiritual beings with eternal destinies. The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a>), underscoring its sacredness beyond mere physical appearance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching His disciples and the crowd about the priorities of life and the futility of worry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>The primary audience of Jesus' teaching, who are being instructed on how to live a life of faith and trust in God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>A larger group of people who are also listening to Jesus' teachings, representing the broader audience of His message.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_setting.htm">The Setting</a></b><br>This teaching occurs during Jesus' ministry in Judea, as He travels and teaches about the Kingdom of God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_context.htm">The Context</a></b><br>This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus addresses anxiety and the need to trust in God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_the_eternal.htm">Prioritizing the Eternal</a></b><br>Life is more than material needs; our focus should be on eternal matters and our relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_provision.htm">Trust in God's Provision</a></b><br>Jesus calls us to trust in God's provision, reminding us that He knows our needs and will care for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_from_anxiety.htm">Freedom from Anxiety</a></b><br>By understanding that life is more than material possessions, we can be freed from the anxiety that comes from worrying about them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_simplicity.htm">Contentment in Simplicity</a></b><br>Embrace a lifestyle of simplicity and contentment, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from God, not material abundance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/living_by_faith.htm">Living by Faith</a></b><br>Our faith should lead us to live differently from the world, demonstrating trust in God's promises and provision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_luke_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Luke 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_occurs_following_death.htm">What occurs following death?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_ecclesiastes_9_7_contradict_self-denial.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:7 emphasizes enjoyment of life; does this contradict New Testament calls for self-denial and sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jesus'_advice_on_worry_realistic_today.htm">In Luke 12:22-24, Jesus tells followers not to worry about their basic needs. How realistic is this advice in a world where countless people face poverty and starvation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_eccles._12_7_align_with_science.htm">In Ecclesiastes 12:7, how can the phrase 'the spirit returns to God' be reconciled with scientific understandings of consciousness and death?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/luke/12-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">γὰρ</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">life</span><br /><span class="grk">ψυχὴ</span> <span class="translit">(psychē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5590.htm">Strong's 5590: </a> </span><span class="str2">From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐστιν</span> <span class="translit">(estin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> </span><span class="str2">I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">more than</span><br /><span class="grk">πλεῖόν</span> <span class="translit">(pleion)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4119.htm">Strong's 4119: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food,</span><br /><span class="grk">τροφῆς</span> <span class="translit">(trophēs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5160.htm">Strong's 5160: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">body</span><br /><span class="grk">σῶμα</span> <span class="translit">(sōma)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4983.htm">Strong's 4983: </a> </span><span class="str2">Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[more] than</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(tou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">clothes.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐνδύματος</span> <span class="translit">(endymatos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1742.htm">Strong's 1742: </a> </span><span class="str2">A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/luke/12-23.htm">Luke 12:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/luke/12-23.htm">NT Gospels: Luke 12:23 Life is more than food and (Luke Lu Lk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/luke/12-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Luke 12:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Luke 12:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/luke/12-24.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Luke 12:24"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Luke 12:24" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>