For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
Parallel translations
- WEB For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
- KJV (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
- ESV For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
- NKJV For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
- NASB For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
- NLT These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 pagans chase after these things, but your Father already knows you need them. Believers are freed from worldly striving by trust in God's knowledge and care.
Overview
Jesus contrasts the anxious pursuit that marks those without God ('the Gentiles') with the confidence available to those who know God as Father. Because the Father already knows every need, his children need not be consumed by them. This sets the disciple's pursuit of life on a wholly different footing from that of the unbelieving world.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Matt 6:8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
- Luke 12:30For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
- 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 11:11–13What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?
- Ps 17:14from such men, O LORD, by Your hand—from men of the world whose portion is in this life. May You fill the bellies of Your treasured ones and satisfy their sons, so they leave their abundance to their children.
- Matt 20:25–26But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them.
- 1 Th 4:5not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;
- Ps 103:13As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
- Matt 5:46–47If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?
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 6:32 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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