“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”– Matthew 6:31 (KJV)
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’”– Matthew 6:31 (NLT)
“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What’s the matter with you? Why do you take thought for these things?”– Matthew 6:31 (MSG)
What Does Matthew 6:31 Mean?
Matthew 6:31 addresses a common human concern—worry about our physical needs. Jesus urges us not to be anxious or preoccupied with what we will eat, drink, or wear. These worries can distract us from the more important things in life, namely, our relationship with God. Jesus teaches us to trust in God’s provision, highlighting the value of faith over fear.
As followers of Christ, we are reminded of God’s love and care for us. The verse encapsulates a deep spiritual truth: that we should prioritize our spiritual lives over our earthly worries. Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first allows us to experience His provision in our lives. It’s a call to shift toward a faith-based mindset, placing trust in God as our provider while living with hope and confidence.
Matthew 6:31 Explanation and Commentary
In Matthew 6:31, Jesus speaks to us about the futility of worry. Rather than allowing anxiety to fill our thoughts, we are encouraged to focus on God. This teaching is part of the larger Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus outlines principles for how we should live as followers of Him. Here, He challenges the norms of worrying by signaling that such anxiety does not lead to increased provision or peace.
We may often find ourselves consumed by daily concerns about what to eat, where to shop, or how to keep up with the latest fashion trends. Yet Jesus assures us that God knows our needs before we even express them. The act of worrying about material needs suggests a lack of faith in God’s timing and ability to provide.
A great illustration can be found in the Lord’s Prayer, where we ask God to “give us this day our daily bread.” This request, rich in trust, reminds us to rely on God’s sustenance for our journeys. Jesus is inviting us into a space of dependency and faith—a space where we can let go of our worries, knowing we have a loving Provider.
We can find a parallel in Philippians 4:19, which states, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Such affirmations bolster our faith and remind us that worrying never actually fulfills our needs; instead, it steals our peace and hinders our relationship with God.
Living in a society that often promotes self-sufficiency and independence can lead to practices where we rely solely on our capabilities to meet our needs. However, Jesus urges us to break free from this mindset. We are called to acknowledge that it is God who clothes the lilies of the field and provides for the birds in the sky. He will surely also take care of our needs. He delights in our reliance on Him, and He longs for us to depend on His goodness.
Let us also remember Matthew 6:33, which states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” By focusing our priorities and pursuits on God’s kingdom and righteousness, we can experience His grace and abundant blessings in our lives.
Context of Matthew 6:31
Matthew 6:31 is nestled in a profound collection of teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus lays out His principles for righteous living. This section emphasizes God’s provision and the futility of worry. In preceding verses, Jesus compares worry and anxiety to the care-free existence of birds and the beauty of wildflowers. This paints a vivid image of God’s care for His creation and sets the stage for us to reconsider how much we trust in God.
In the context of Jesus’ audience, many were living under financial strain and burdensome regulations set by society. They were likely anxious about their sustenance. By addressing these concerns, Jesus was countering the cultural mindset that measured one’s worth by material possessions and societal status. We see an appeal to look beyond the superficial aspects of this life and embrace a deeper trust in God.
Christ’s teachings here encourage us to lift our heads and see the greater purpose in our lives. Our focus should center on our relationship with God rather than on fleeting worries. These verses challenge us to orient our priorities toward spiritual well-being, offering us a new perspective on life’s challenges.
In times of uncertainty, this context helps us remind ourselves that constricted thinking often leads us to spiral into worry. If we change our perspective to one that considers God’s enduring goodness, we find ourselves uplifted, moved by faith to face life’s trials with resolute courage.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Matthew 6:31
As we unpack Matthew 6:31, we notice Jesus addresses three primary concerns: what we will eat, what we will drink, and what we will wear. Each represents a fundamental human need, essential for physical life. To fully grasp His message, we can reflect on the significance of these elements and their representation in our spiritual journey.
Food symbolizes sustenance and nourishment. It reminds us that God is our Provider, offering us not only physical food but also spiritual nourishment through His Word. Just as we wouldn’t neglect physical meals, we must also take time to spiritually feed ourselves on God’s promises and truths. We see in John 6:35, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Trusting in His provision should lead us to seek His presence and guidance daily.
Drink represents hydration and refreshment. As we reflect on our thirst, it serves as a symbol of our spiritual longing for God. Just as we need water to survive, we require God’s living water to quench our spiritual thirst. In John 4:14, Jesus mentions that whoever drinks of this water will never thirst again. The provision of water illustrates how He meets our deepest longings.
Finally, clothing signifies our identity and belonging. The garments we wear often reflect our personality and individuality. In many cultures, clothing also represents status and worth. Yet, Jesus teaches us that our true identity lies not in our appearance or what we wear but in who we are in Him. We often get caught up pursuing worldly validation through material possessions, but Jesus nudges us back on track, emphasizing our value is not tied to external factors but rooted in our identity as children of God.
By examining these key parts of Matthew 6:31, we recognize that through our everyday needs, we can begin to understand God’s immeasurable love and care for us. Worrying about the basics of life distracts us from the rich and abundant relationship God desires with us. Instead, we should anchor ourselves in faith, trusting that He is more than capable of providing for both our physical and spiritual needs.
Lessons to Learn From Matthew 6:31
This verse resonates with timeless lessons that we can apply in our daily lives. It teaches us the importance of faith, trust, and putting our focus on God. As we embrace this teaching, we can experience profound changes in how we live and interact with the world around us.
One significant lesson we learn is that our anxieties often reflect a lack of trust. By recognizing that we do not have to carry the burden of worry, we invite God into our struggles. Instead of letting stress consume us, we can lean on His promises of provision. Practicing regular gratitude and prayer enables us to foster a deeper connection with God while decreasing anxiety.
We can also learn the importance of prioritizing our spiritual journey. When we declare that seeking God comes first, we allow ourselves to be open to His guidance and direction. This aligns beautifully with engaging in prayer and Acts of service. By pouring ourselves into relationships with others and sharing God’s love, we cultivate a sense of community and belonging that can draw our focus away from our worries.
Another valuable lesson revolves around our reliance on God as our source of strength. Just like the birds do not sow or reap but trust in God to provide for their needs, we too can rely on Him. This faith invites us to be active participants in our spiritual growth while trusting that God sees us and cares for us. Remembering this can ease our burdens and help us to carry our struggles with grace.
Finally, absorbing the lesson of living in today’s moment is powerful. By directing our thoughts away from tomorrow’s fears and concerns, we can appreciate the beauty of the present. When we choose to place our focus on God, the worries that once loomed large begin to diminish. Jesus encourages us to embrace our lives confidently, knowing that our future is secure in Him.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 6:31 challenges us to rethink our relationship with worry. Jesus’s invitation is clear: we are to take our focus off material conditions and trust wholeheartedly in God’s provision. This profound teaching calls us to deeper faith, urging us to let go of anxiety and embrace a life filled with spiritual riches.
In a world that often breeds uncertainty and fear, we can find comfort in knowing that God cares for us more than we can comprehend. The assurance provided by this verse encourages us to redirect our thoughts, reminding us that true peace is found in a relationship with our loving Father. As we lean into faith, we discover abundant grace, love, and provision along our journeys.
We are not alone in this journey. Many testimonies and reflections throughout Scripture affirm God’s steadfastness. If you seek to learn more about living in faith, we encourage you to explore other related topics in the Bible, like Matthew 11 or entering into the foundational stories of Genesis 185. Together, let us continue to deepen our understanding and connection with God’s sustaining power.