For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.
- KJV For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
- NKJV For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.
- NASB For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things.
- NLT These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The unbelieving nations chase after these things, but your Father knows you need them. Anxious pursuit of provision befits those who do not know God as Father.
Overview
Jesus contrasts the worry-driven life of the pagan world with the trusting life of those who know God as Father. The key difference is relationship: believers have a Father who already knows and cares for their needs. This intimate knowledge of God is meant to dissolve anxiety and free His children to live by faith.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Matt 6:32For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
- Matt 6:8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
- Eph 4:17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
- Luke 12:32Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
- 1 Pet 4:2–4Consequently, he does not live out his remaining time on earth for human passions, but for the will of God.
- Matt 18:14In the same way, your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
- 1 Th 4:5not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
- Matt 10:20For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
- Matt 5:47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?
- John 20:17“Do not cling to Me,” Jesus said, “for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go and tell My brothers, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’”
- Matt 6:1“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Luke shows Jesus the Savior for all — outsiders, the poor, the nations — the one who, on the Emmaus road, opened all the Scriptures to show they were about himself.
How Luke 12:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.