Devine Scripture

Matthew 6:27

What does Matthew 6:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 6:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 6:27 means

Jesus poses a rhetorical question to highlight the futility of anxiety: "And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?" A cubit, a unit of length, here metaphorically refers to extending one's lifespan. The answer is clearly no; worry cannot add a single moment or measure to one's life. Instead, anxiety often diminishes well-being. This demonstrates that worry is not only faithless but also utterly ineffective in achieving its desired outcome, proving itself to be a fruitless waste of energy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And which of you by taking thought is able to make himself a cubit taller?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But which of you by carefulness can add to his growth one cubit?

Context

This verse injects a practical, rational argument into Jesus' teaching on anxiety, immediately following the illustration of God's care for birds (verse 26). It demonstrates the sheer ineffectiveness of worry, reinforcing the call to trust. This point then shifts to another natural illustration, that of the lilies, to further strengthen the case against anxiety and for reliance on God's provision for even superficial needs.

v.26Behold 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?

v.27This passage

v.28And why are ye anxious concerning raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 39:5

    Behold, thou hast made my daysas handbreadths; And my life-time is as nothing before thee: Surely every man at his best estate is altogether vanity. [Selah

  • Ecclesiastes 3:14

    I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:18

    But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him.

  • Luke 12:25

    And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?

  • Matthew 5:36

    Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.

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