Luke 12:31
What does Luke 12:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:31 means
Jesus commands them to seek God’s kingdom, with the assurance that needed things will be added. Seeking involves valuing God’s rule, aligning life with His will, and advancing His purposes. The promise does not offer luxury but sufficiency for faithful living. When the kingdom is first, daily bread is entrusted to the Father’s care. This liberates disciples from the tyranny of needs and wants, enabling generous, focused lives. The order matters: pursue God’s reign, and provision follows. To reverse the order is to become trapped by anxiety and greed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But let your chief care be for his kingdom, and these other things will be given to you in addition.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862but, seek ye the reign of God, and all these things shall be added to you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice: and all these things shall be added unto you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but seek his kingdom, and [all] these things shall be added to you.
Context
This is the positive center of Jesus’ teaching on worry and wealth. Having shown what not to seek, He directs the heart to its true aim and binds it with a promise. The next verses deepen comfort—calling them a “little flock” and announcing the Father’s delight to give the kingdom—then turn to practical generosity and heavenly investment as fitting expressions of kingdom-first living.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 3:11
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern justice;
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Isaiah 33:16
He shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks; his bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.
- 1 Timothy 4:8
for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
- Luke 10:42
but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
- Psalms 37:3
Trust in Jehovah, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed onhisfaithfulness.
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