Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Parallel translations
- WEB “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’
- KJV Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
- NKJV “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
- NASB Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’
- NLT “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
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
So don't be consumed by anxious questions about food, drink, and clothing. Such worry does not befit children of a caring Father.
Overview
Jesus draws the practical conclusion from his illustrations: disciples should not be gripped by the anxious refrain of 'what will we eat, drink, or wear?' This repeated worry characterizes those who do not know God's fatherly provision. The verse calls believers to a settled trust that frees them from the tyranny of material anxiety.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Pet 5:7Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
- Luke 12:29And do not be concerned about what you will eat or drink. Do not worry about it.
- Matt 4:4But Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
- Ps 55:22Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
- Matt 15:33The disciples replied, “Where in this desolate place could we find enough bread to feed such a large crowd?”
- Ps 37:3Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- 2 Chr 25:9Amaziah asked the man of God, “What should I do about the hundred talents I have given to the army of Israel?” And the man of God replied, “The LORD is able to give you much more than this.”
- Ps 78:18–31They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.
- Lev 25:20–22Now you may wonder, ‘What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not sow or gather our produce?’
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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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 6:31 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.