Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Parallel translations
- WEB “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?
- BSB Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
- NKJV Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
- NASB And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?
- NLT Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
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
Worrying cannot add a single moment to your life. Anxiety is as futile as it is faithless.
Overview
With a pointed question, Jesus exposes the powerlessness of worry: it cannot extend life by even a moment (or, by some readings, add to one's stature). Anxiety achieves nothing and only displaces trust in God. The verse strips away any pretense that worry is productive, calling disciples instead to rest in the Father's sovereign care.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Luke 12:25–26And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
- Eccl 3:14I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.
- Ps 39:5–6Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
- Matt 5:36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
- 1 Cor 12:18But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 6:27 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
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