Luke 12:22
What does Luke 12:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:22 means
Jesus tells His disciples not to be anxious about life—food and clothing included. The same Lord who warns against greed now releases them from fretful scarcity-thinking. Anxiety and covetousness are related: both center life on possessions and security. Jesus calls for trust that the Father who gives life and body will also provide what sustains them. This is not a call to laziness but to freedom from choking care. Provision is ultimately God’s work; discipleship reorders priorities so that seeking God’s reign takes precedence over hoarding or worrying.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he said to his disciples, For this reason I say to you, Take no thought for your life, about what food you will take, or for your body, how it may be clothed.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he said unto his disciples, `Because of this, to you I say, Be not anxious for your life, what ye may eat; nor for the body, what ye may put on;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he said to his disciples: Therefore I say to you: Be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he said to his disciples, For this cause I say unto you, Be not careful for life, what ye shall eat, nor for the body, what ye shall put on.
Context
After exposing the folly of wealth-trust, Jesus addresses the opposite but related snare: anxiety about necessities. Speaking intimately to His disciples, He begins a sustained argument for confidence in the Father’s care, supported by observations from creation. The next verses build layer upon layer—life’s value, ravens and lilies, the futility of worry—culminating in the call to seek the kingdom first.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 7:32
But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
- Hebrews 13:5
Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee.
- Matthew 6:25
Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?
- Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Luke 12:29
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
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