Devine Scripture

Matthew 6:34

What does Matthew 6:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 6:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 6:34 means

Jesus concludes His teaching on anxiety with a practical instruction for daily living: "Be not therefore anxious for the morrow." This encourages present-moment trust in God rather than fretting about future uncertainties. He explains this by stating, "for the morrow will be anxious for itself." This means each day brings its own challenges, and anticipating them beforehand only adds unnecessary burdens. The concluding proverb, "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof," emphasizes that each day has enough difficulty of its own, without borrowing trouble from tomorrow.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Be not therefore anxious for the morrow: for the morrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then have no care for tomorrow: tomorrow will take care of itself. Take the trouble of the day as it comes.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Be not therefore anxious for the morrow, for the morrow shall be anxious for its own things; sufficient for the day <FI>is<Fi> the evil of it.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Be not therefore solicitous for to morrow; for the morrow will be solicitous for itself. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Be not careful therefore for the morrow, for the morrow shall be careful about itself. Sufficient to the day [is] its own evil.

Context

This verse serves as the concluding exhortation on the theme of anxiety, particularly building on the command to seek God's kingdom first in verse 33. It focuses specifically on future-oriented worries, providing a practical, day-by-day approach to trust. This final instruction brings the entire chapter to a close, completing Jesus' profound teaching on true righteousness, sincerity, and absolute reliance on God's provision.

v.33But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

v.34This passage

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 16:18

    And when they measured it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over, and he that gathered little had no lack; they gathered every man according to his eating.

  • 1 Kings 17:14

    For thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, The jar of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that Jehovah sendeth rain upon the earth.

  • 1 Thessalonians 3:3

    that no man be moved by these afflictions; for yourselves know that hereunto we are appointed.

  • Acts 14:22

    confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.

  • Lamentations 3:23

    They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.

  • 1 Kings 17:4

    And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

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