Matthew 6:26
What does Matthew 6:26 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 6:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 6:26 means
To illustrate God's reliable provision, Jesus points to the birds. They do not engage in human agricultural activities like sowing, reaping, or storing crops, yet their "heavenly Father feedeth them." This natural example demonstrates God's consistent care for even the smallest of His creatures. Jesus then contrasts this with human value, asking, "Are not ye of much more value than they?" The implied answer is a resounding yes, suggesting that if God cares for birds, He will surely care for His human children.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949See the birds of heaven; they do not put seeds in the earth, they do not get in grain, or put it in store-houses; and your Father in heaven gives them food. Are you not of much more value than they?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862look to the fowls of the heaven, for they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into storehouses, and your heavenly Father doth nourish them; are not ye much better than they?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Look at the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, nor reap, nor gather into granaries, and your heavenly Father nourishes them. Are ye not much more excellent than they?
Context
This verse provides the first illustration in Jesus' argument against anxiety, immediately following the command not to worry about basic needs (verse 25). It uses a common, observable example from nature to demonstrate God's providential care. This example of the birds sets the stage for a further illustration involving lilies, reinforcing the consistent theme of God's abundant provision and care for creation, underscoring the trust due His children.
v.25Therefore 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?
v.26This passage
v.27And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 104:27
These wait all for thee, That thou mayest give them their food in due season.
- Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:
- Psalms 145:15
The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food in due season.
- Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food:
- 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!
- Psalms 147:9
He giveth to the beast his food, Andto the young ravens which cry.
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