Devine Scripture

Luke 12:28

What does Luke 12:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 12:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 12:28 means

If God clothes the grass of the field—alive today and burned tomorrow—how much more will He clothe His people? Jesus’ question exposes the mismatch between God’s proven care and the disciples’ small faith. The issue is not the Father’s willingness but their trust. He dignifies them above passing vegetation and invites them to rest in that dignity. This does not trivialize need; it magnifies the Provider. The gentle rebuke aims to enlarge their view of God, curing anxiety by deepening confidence in His character and promise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more shall he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But if God gives such clothing to the grass in the field, which today is living, and tomorrow will be burned in the oven, how much more will he give clothing to you, O men of little faith?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if the herbage in the field, that to-day is, and to-morrow into an oven is cast, God doth so clothe, how much more you--ye of little faith?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now, if God clothe in this manner the grass that is to-day in the field and to-morrow is cast into the oven: how much more you, O ye of little faith?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But ifGod thus clothe the grass, which to-day is in the field and to-morrow is cast into [the] oven, how much rather you, O ye of little faith?

Context

Having displayed God’s care in nature, Jesus applies it directly to His hearers with an affectionate correction. This readies them for the practical outworking: stop fixating on food and drink, and relinquish a mind tossed with doubt. The next verse will command a different pursuit and mindset, in contrast to the nations who anxiously chase such things.

v.27Consider 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.

v.28This passage

v.29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, and what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 17:20

    And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

  • Matthew 17:17

    And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him hither to me.

  • Matthew 16:8

    And Jesus perceiving it said, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have no bread?

  • Matthew 14:31

    And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

  • Luke 8:25

    And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And being afraid they marvelled, saying one to another, Who then is this, that he commandeth even the winds and the water, and they obey him?

  • Isaiah 40:6

    The voice of one saying, Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.

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