Luke 12:27
What does Luke 12:27 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:27 means
Jesus urges them to consider the lilies. They do not toil or spin, yet their adornment surpasses even Solomon’s glory. The point is not to forbid work but to highlight God’s artistry in creation, which outshines human splendor and effort. If God so beautifies wildflowers that neither scheme nor strive, He can be trusted to clothe His people. The image recalibrates desires: God values beauty and care beyond mere necessity. Disciples can pursue faithfulness without the anxious drive to secure their status by what they wear or project.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Give thought to the flowers: they do no work, they make no thread; and still I say to you, Even Solomon, in all his glory, was not clothed like one of these.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Consider the lilies, how do they grow? they labour not, nor do they spin, and I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Consider the lilies how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I say unto you, Not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these.
Context
From the futility of worry, Jesus turns to creation’s testimony of God’s generosity. The comparison to Solomon elevates the argument by invoking a symbol of wealth and magnificence. This prepares for the next verse, where Jesus contrasts God’s clothing of short-lived grass with His greater commitment to His children, issuing a tender charge against little faith.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 10:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Jehovah, she came to prove him with hard questions.
- James 1:10
and the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
- Matthew 6:28
And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
- Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
- 2 Chronicles 9:1
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great train, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
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