Luke 12:22-34
Exhortation Not to Worry
22 Then ▼▼tn Here δέ (de) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative. Jesus’ remarks to the disciples are an application of the point made in the previous parable.
Jesus ▼▼tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
said to his ▼▼tc αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”) is lacking in P45vid,75 B 1241 c e. Although the addition of clarifying pronouns is a known scribal alteration, in this case it is probably better to view the dropping of the pronoun as the alteration in light of its minimal attestation.
disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry ▼▼tn Or “do not be anxious.”
about your ▼▼tc Most mss (P45 Ψ 070 ƒ13 33 Maj) supply the pronoun ὑμῶν (humōn, “your”) here, although several significant and early witnesses omit it (P75 א A B D L Q W Θ ƒ1 700 2542 al lat). Externally, the shorter reading is superior. Internally, the pronoun looks to be a scribal clarification. In context the article can be translated as a possessive pronoun anyway (ExSyn 215), as it has been done for this translation.
life, what you will eat, or about your ▼▼tc Some mss (B 070 ƒ13 33 1424 al) supply the pronoun ὑμῶν (humōn, “your”) here, although the witnesses for the omission are early, significant, and varied (P45vid,75 א A D L Q W Θ Ψ ƒ1 Maj lat). See previous tc note for more discussion.
body, what you will wear. 23For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing. 24Consider the ravens: ▼▼tn Or “crows.” Crows and ravens belong to the same family of birds. English uses “crow” as a general word for the family. Palestine has several indigenous members of the crow family.
They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds ▼▼tn Or “God gives them food to eat.” L&N 23.6 has both “to provide food for” and “to give food to someone to eat.”
them. How much more valuable are you than the birds! 25And which of you by worrying ▼▼tn Or “by being anxious.”
can add an hour to his life? ▼▼tn Or “a cubit to his height.” A cubit (πῆχυς, pēchus) can measure length (normally about 45 cm or 18 inches) or time (a small unit, “hour” is usually used [BDAG 812 s.v.] although “day” has been suggested [L&N 67.151]). The term ἡλικία (hēlikia) is ambiguous in the same way as πῆχυς. Most scholars take the term ἡλικία (hēlikia) to describe age or length of life here, although a few refer it to bodily stature (see BDAG 435-36 s.v. 1.a for discussion). Worry about length of life seems a more natural figure than worry about height. However, the point either way is clear: Worrying adds nothing to life span or height.
26So if ▼▼tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text.
you cannot do such a very little thing as this, why do you worry about ▼▼tn Or “why are you anxious for.”
the rest? 27Consider how the flowers ▼▼tn Traditionally, “lilies.” According to L&N 3.32, “Though traditionally κρίνον has been regarded as a type of lily, scholars have suggested several other possible types of flowers, including an anemone, a poppy, a gladiolus, and a rather inconspicuous type of daisy.” In view of the uncertainty, the more generic “flowers” has been used in the translation.
grow; they do not work ▼▼tn Traditionally, “toil.” Although it might be argued that “work hard” would be a more precise translation of κοπιάω (kopiaō) here, the line in English scans better in terms of cadence with a single syllable.
or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these! 28And if ▼▼tn This is a first class condition in the Greek text.
this is how God clothes the wild grass, ▼▼tn Grk “grass in the field.”
which is here ▼▼tn Grk “which is in the field today.”
today and tomorrow is tossed into the fire to heat the oven, ▼▼tn Grk “into the oven.” The expanded translation “into the fire to heat the oven” has been used to avoid misunderstanding; most items put into modern ovens are put there to be baked, not burned.
▼▼sn The oven was most likely a rounded clay oven used for baking bread, which was heated by burning wood and dried grass.
how much more ▼▼sn The phrase how much more is a typical form of rabbinic argumentation, from the lesser to the greater. If God cares for the little things, surely he will care for the more important things.
will he clothe you, you people of little faith! 29So ▼▼tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “so” to indicate a conclusion drawn from the previous illustrations.
do not be overly concerned about ▼▼tn Grk “do not seek,” but this could be misunderstood to mean that people should make no attempt to obtain their food. The translation “do not be overly concerned” attempts to reflect the force of the original.
what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not worry about such things. ▼▼tn The words “about such things” have been supplied to qualify the meaning; the phrase relates to obtaining food and drink mentioned in the previous clause.
30For all the nations of the world pursue ▼▼tn Grk “seek.”
these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31Instead, pursue ▼▼tn Grk “seek,” but in the sense of the previous verses.
his ▼▼tc Most mss (P45 A D1 Q W Θ 070 ƒ1,13 33 Maj lat sy) read τοῦ θεοῦ (tou theou, “of God”) instead of αὐτοῦ (autou, “his”; found in א B D* L Ψ 579 892 co). But such a clarifying reading is suspect. αὐτοῦ is superior on both internal and external grounds. P75 includes neither and as such would support the translation above since the article alone can often be translated as a possessive pronoun.
kingdom, ▼▼sn His (that is, God’s) kingdom is a major theme of Jesus’ teaching. The nature of the kingdom of God in the NT and in Jesus’ teaching has long been debated by interpreters and scholars, with discussion primarily centering around the nature of the kingdom (earthly, heavenly, or both) and the kingdom’s arrival (present, future, or both). An additional major issue concerns the relationship between the kingdom of God and the person and work of Jesus himself. See Luke 6:20; 11:20; 17:20-21.
and these things will be given to you as well. 32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased ▼▼tn Or perhaps, “your Father chooses.”
to give you the kingdom. 33Sell your possessions ▼▼sn The call to sell your possessions is a call to a lack of attachment to the earth and a generosity as a result.
and give to the poor. ▼▼tn Grk “give alms,” but this term is not in common use today.
Provide yourselves purses that do not wear out—a treasure in heaven ▼▼tn Grk “in the heavens.”
that never decreases, ▼▼tn Or “an unfailing treasure in heaven,” or “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven.”
where no thief approaches and no moth ▼ destroys. 34For where your treasure ▼▼sn Seeking heavenly treasure means serving others and honoring God by doing so; see Luke 6:35-36.
is, there your heart will be also.
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