Devine Scripture

Matthew 6:21

What does Matthew 6:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 6:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 6:21 means

This verse provides the profound reason behind the instruction to store up heavenly rather than earthly treasures. Jesus declares, "for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also." This concise statement reveals a fundamental truth about human nature: a person's deepest affections, commitments, and ultimate allegiance naturally follow whatever they value most. If one's primary pursuit is worldly wealth, their heart will be bound to it; if their priority is God and His kingdom, their heart will be oriented toward eternal things.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for where thy treasure is, there will thy heart be also.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For where your wealth is, there will your heart be.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for where your treasure is, there will be also your heart.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for where thy treasure is, there will be also thy heart.

Context

This verse serves as the theological linchpin for the preceding discussion on treasures (verses 19-20). It explains *why* the choice of treasure is so significant, connecting it directly to the heart's allegiance. This concept of a unified heart then logically transitions into the illustration of the eye as the lamp of the body, further exploring the idea of a focused, singular devotion in the verses that follow.

v.20but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

v.21This passage

v.22The lamp of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 7:5

    For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were through the law, wrought in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

  • Philemon 1:19

    I Paul write it with mine own hand, I will repay it: that I say not unto thee that thou owest to me even thine own self besides.

  • Isaiah 33:6

    And there shall be stability in thy times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge: the fear of Jehovah is thy treasure.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:18

    while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

  • Matthew 12:34

    Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

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