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>Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/6-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/40_Mat_06_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 6:31 - Do Not Worry" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'" /><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/matthew/6-31.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/matthew/6-31.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="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 31</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="/ad11.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="/matthew/6-30.htm" title="Matthew 6:30">◄</a> Matthew 6:31 <a href="/matthew/6-32.htm" title="Matthew 6:32">►</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/matthew/6.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/matthew/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So do not worry, saying, &#8216What shall we eat?&#8217 or &#8216What shall we drink?&#8217 or &#8216What shall we wear?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or 'What shall we drink?' Or 'What shall we wear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Do not worry then, saying, &#8216What will we eat?&#8217 or &#8216What will we drink?&#8217 or &#8216What will we wear for clothing?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Do not be anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall we clothe ourselves?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry <i>or</i> be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat? ’ or ‘What will we drink? ’ or ‘What will we wear? ’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So don&#8217t worry, saying, What will we eat?&#8217 or &#8216What will we drink?&#8217 or &#8216What will we wear?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't worry and ask yourselves, "Will we have anything to eat? Will we have anything to drink? Will we have any clothes to wear?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Don't ever worry and say, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"So do not start worrying: 'Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"So don't ever worry by saying, 'What are we going to eat?' or 'What are we going to drink?' or 'What are we going to wear?' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry, saying, ?What shall we eat?? or ?What shall we drink?? or ?What shall we wear??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So then, don't worry saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What will we eat?', 'What will we drink?' or, 'With what will we be clothed?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore be not anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or, with what shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore you may not be anxious, saying, What may we eat? Or, What may we drink? Or, [With] what may we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/6.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' Or 'What shall we drink?' Or 'What shall we wear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> therefore ye may not be anxious, saying, What may we eat? or, What may we drink? or, What may we put round?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Therefore be ye not anxious, saying: What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, What shall we put round us?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, do not choose to be anxious, saying: ‘What shall we eat, and what shall we drink, and with what shall we be clothed?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry or say, What will we eat, or what will we drink, or with what will we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/6.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Therefore do not be concerned or say, ''What will we eat?', or ''What will we drink?', or,''What will we wear'?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/6.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Therefore, be not anxious, saying: What shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? or, with what shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/6.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Therefore be not solicitous, saying, What can we eat? or what can we drink? or with what can we be clothed?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/6.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Wherefore be under no anxiety, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/6.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />therefore make no such sollicitous enquiries, as what shall we eat? or what shall we drink? or how shall we be clothed?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/6.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Do not be over-anxious, therefore, asking 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/6.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Be not, therefore, anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink!' or 'What shall we put on?'<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/6.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat, or what shall we drink, or how shall we be clothed?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/6-31.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/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1489" 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/matthew/6.htm">Do Not Worry</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">Therefore</a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: Mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.">do not</a> <a href="/greek/3309.htm" title="3309: merimnēsēte (V-ASA-2P) -- To be over-anxious; with acc: To be anxious about, distracted; I care for. From merimna; to be anxious about.">worry,</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legontes (V-PPA-NMP) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">saying,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">‘What</a> <a href="/greek/5315.htm" title="5315: phagōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- A primary verb; to eat.">shall we eat?’</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">‘What</a> <a href="/greek/4095.htm" title="4095: piōmen (V-ASA-1P) -- To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.">shall we drink?’</a> <a href="/greek/2228.htm" title="2228: ē (Conj) -- Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.">or</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">‘What</a> <a href="/greek/4016.htm" title="4016: peribalōmetha (V-ASM-1P) -- From peri and ballo; to throw all around, i.e. Invest.">shall we wear?’</a> </span> <span class="reftext">32</span>For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.…<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="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6</a></span><br />Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-29.htm">Luke 12:29-31</a></span><br />And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it. / For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. / But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added unto you.<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/6-25.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="/matthew/6-34.htm">Matthew 6:34</a></span><br />Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.<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="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-41.htm">Luke 10:41-42</a></span><br />“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. / But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-1.htm">John 14:1</a></span><br />“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-5.htm">Hebrews 13:5-6</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.” / So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-7.htm">Jeremiah 17:7-8</a></span><br />But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-3.htm">Psalm 37:3-5</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.<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="/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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?</p><p class="hdg">What shall we eat.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a></b></br> But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/15-33.htm">Matthew 15:33</a></b></br> And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/25-20.htm">Leviticus 25:20-22</a></b></br> And if ye shall say, What shall we eat the seventh year? behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Anxious</a> <a href="/matthew/6-27.htm">Care</a> <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/matthew/6-29.htm">Clothed</a> <a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/matthew/6-26.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/6-23.htm">Full</a> <a href="/matthew/6-27.htm">Over-Anxious</a> <a href="/matthew/4-23.htm">Round</a> <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Wear</a> <a href="/malachi/1-13.htm">What</a> <a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Wherewithal</a> <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Worry</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/6-34.htm">Anxious</a> <a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">Care</a> <a href="/matthew/8-4.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/matthew/11-8.htm">Clothed</a> <a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/matthew/10-42.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/matthew/8-30.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/8-26.htm">Full</a> <a href="/matthew/6-34.htm">Over-Anxious</a> <a href="/matthew/7-6.htm">Round</a> <a href="/matthew/6-34.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/matthew/11-8.htm">Wear</a> <a href="/mark/10-36.htm">What</a> <a href="/psalms/119-9.htm">Wherewithal</a> <a href="/matthew/6-34.htm">Worry</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Giving to the Needy</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">The Lord's Prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Proper Fasting</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Store up Treasures in Heaven</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-25.htm">Do Not Worry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/6-33.htm">but seek God's kingdom.</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/matthew/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Therefore do not worry</b><br>This phrase is a direct command from Jesus, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's provision. The word "therefore" connects this verse to the preceding teachings about God's care for creation and the futility of worry. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addresses the human tendency to be anxious about material needs. The command not to worry is rooted in the understanding that God is sovereign and knows the needs of His people. This reflects the biblical theme of faith over fear, as seen in passages like <a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6-7</a>, where believers are encouraged to present their requests to God with thanksgiving.<p><b>saying, ‘What shall we eat?’</b><br>In the historical and cultural context of first-century Judea, food security was a significant concern. Many people lived day-to-day, relying on daily wages to provide for their families. Jesus' audience would have understood the anxiety associated with securing daily sustenance. By instructing them not to worry about food, Jesus points to God's provision, as demonstrated in the Old Testament with the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). This phrase also connects to the Lord's Prayer earlier in the chapter, where Jesus teaches to pray for "our daily bread," emphasizing reliance on God for daily needs.<p><b>or ‘What shall we drink?’</b><br>Water was a precious resource in the arid climate of ancient Palestine. Access to clean and safe drinking water was not guaranteed, making it a legitimate concern for the people. Jesus' teaching here reassures His followers that God is aware of their needs and will provide. This echoes the provision of water from the rock in <a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Exodus 17:6</a>, where God miraculously supplied water for the Israelites. The mention of drink also symbolizes spiritual sustenance, as Jesus later refers to Himself as the "living water" in <a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10</a>, offering eternal satisfaction beyond physical needs.<p><b>or ‘What shall we wear?’</b><br>Clothing in biblical times was a basic necessity, often handmade and costly. The concern for clothing reflects a broader anxiety about social status and acceptance, as garments could signify one's position in society. Jesus' teaching challenges His followers to prioritize spiritual over material concerns, trusting that God will clothe them as He does the lilies of the field (<a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Matthew 6:28-30</a>). This phrase also alludes to the righteousness of Christ, which believers are "clothed" with, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-27.htm">Galatians 3:27</a>, where those baptized into Christ have "put on" Christ, signifying a deeper spiritual truth beyond physical attire.<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 passage, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples.htm">Disciples</a></b><br>The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, representing all believers who seek to follow Christ's teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sermon_on_the_mount.htm">Sermon on the Mount</a></b><br>A significant event where Jesus taught about the Kingdom of God, addressing various aspects of life and faith.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/galilee.htm">Galilee</a></b><br>The region where the Sermon on the Mount took place, a central location in Jesus' ministry.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/heavenly_father.htm">Heavenly Father</a></b><br>God, who is portrayed as the provider and caretaker of all needs, emphasizing trust in His provision.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><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 ability to provide for our needs, reminding us that worry is unnecessary when we have a Heavenly Father who knows our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/focus_on_the_kingdom.htm">Focus on the Kingdom</a></b><br>Instead of being consumed by material concerns, believers are encouraged to seek first the Kingdom of God, trusting that all necessary things will be added to them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/freedom_from_anxiety.htm">Freedom from Anxiety</a></b><br>By placing our trust in God, we can experience freedom from the anxiety that often accompanies concerns about daily needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_christ.htm">Contentment in Christ</a></b><br>Learning to be content with what we have, knowing that God provides according to His riches and wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_thanksgiving.htm">Prayer and Thanksgiving</a></b><br>In times of need, turning to prayer and thanksgiving can shift our focus from worry to gratitude, reinforcing our trust in God's provision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_matthew_6_31-33_teach.htm">What does Matthew 6:31-33 teach about not worrying?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_stockpiling.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian stockpiling?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_financial_stability_key_before_marriage.htm">Is financial stability crucial before marriage?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_feng_shui.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on feng shui?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Therefore . . .</span>--The command which, in <a href="/matthew/6-25.htm" title="Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?">Matthew 6:25</a>; <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm" title="And why take you thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:">Matthew 6:28</a>, had before been given as general and abstract, is now enforced as the conclusion of a process of thought more or less inductive. A change in the tense, which we fail to express in English, indicates more special and personal application--"Do not take thought, do not be over-anxious <span class= "ital">now."</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <a href="/luke/12-29.htm">Luke 12:29</a> has the difficult phrase, "Neither be ye of doubtful mind." <span class="cmt_word">Therefore take no thought</span> (<span class="greek">μὴ οϋν</span> <span class="greek">μεριμνήσητε</span>). The shade of difference here and ver. 34 from ver. 25 cannot be expressed in an English translation. In ver. 25 a state of anxiety, here and ver. 34: one anxious thought, is forbidden. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/6-31.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">Therefore</span><br /><span class="grk">οὖν</span> <span class="translit">(oun)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[do] not</span><br /><span class="grk">Μὴ</span> <span class="translit">(Mē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3361.htm">Strong's 3361: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">worry,</span><br /><span class="grk">μεριμνήσητε</span> <span class="translit">(merimnēsēte)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3309.htm">Strong's 3309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be over-anxious; with acc: To be anxious about, distracted; I care for. From merimna; to be anxious about.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saying,</span><br /><span class="grk">λέγοντες</span> <span class="translit">(legontes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we eat?’</span><br /><span class="grk">φάγωμεν</span> <span class="translit">(phagōmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to eat.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἤ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we drink?’</span><br /><span class="grk">πίωμεν</span> <span class="translit">(piōmen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4095.htm">Strong's 4095: </a> </span><span class="str2">To drink, imbibe. A prolonged form of pio, which poo occurs only as an alternate in certain tenses; to imbibe.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or</span><br /><span class="grk">ἤ</span> <span class="translit">(ē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2228.htm">Strong's 2228: </a> </span><span class="str2">Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘What</span><br /><span class="grk">Τί</span> <span class="translit">(Ti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shall we wear?’</span><br /><span class="grk">περιβαλώμεθα</span> <span class="translit">(peribalōmetha)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Middle - 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4016.htm">Strong's 4016: </a> </span><span class="str2">From peri and ballo; to throw all around, i.e. Invest.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/6-31.htm">Matthew 6:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/6-31.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 6:31 Therefore don't be anxious saying 'What will (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/6-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 6:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/6-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 6:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 6:32" /></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>