Devine Scripture

Matthew 6:28

What does Matthew 6:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 6:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 6:28 means

Jesus further addresses the anxiety surrounding clothing, again using a natural illustration. He tells His audience to "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow." These flowers do not engage in human labor like toil or spinning fabric, yet they are arrayed in exquisite beauty. The observation points to God's inherent design and provision in the natural world, effortlessly adorning even temporary plant life with splendor far beyond human effort.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And why are you troubled about clothing? See the flowers of the field, how they come up; they do no work, they make no thread:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and about clothing why are ye anxious? consider well the lilies of the field; how do they grow? they do not labour, nor do they spin;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And why are ye careful about clothing? Observe with attention the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin;

Context

This verse introduces the second natural illustration in Jesus' teaching against anxiety, specifically addressing worry about clothing, following the general exhortation not to worry (verse 25) and the example of the birds (verse 26). It sets up the comparison with Solomon and the culminating point about God's care for His children, reinforcing the theme of divine providence and eliminating human worry.

v.27And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?

v.28This passage

v.29yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 6:25

    Therefore 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?

  • Luke 22:35

    And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.

  • Luke 12:27

    Consider 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.

  • Matthew 6:31

    Be not therefore anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

  • Luke 3:11

    And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

  • Matthew 10:10

    no wallet for your journey, neither two coats, nor shoes, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.

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