Luke 12:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

NIV: Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

NASB: Therefore if you cannot do even a very little thing, why do you worry about the other things?

CSB: If then you're not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?

NLT: And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

KJV: If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

NKJV: If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest?

Fear of death is quite common, but it will do nothing to extend one's life past the time God ordains (Luke 12:25). Neither, in fact, will working within the world's systems to accumulate wealth and resources (Luke 12:13–21). Jesus' followers are not to fear death. The death of the body may be tragic, but the eternal death of the soul is horrifying (Luke 12:4–5).

If we should not fear death and if we can't even add an hour to our lifespan, it makes sense that we shouldn't be fearful or restless about food and clothing. God can feed ravens on scraps and make beautiful wildflowers that barely last a day; He's proven that He can provide (Luke 12:24, 27–28). Our energies need to be focused on greater things, like sharing that the kingdom of God has come and serving Jesus and His people (Luke 10:9; 12:42–44).

Jesus isn't saying that we shouldn't work to buy food and clothing (Proverbs 6:6–9; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12). Nor is He saying that God will never let His followers die of starvation or exposure. He's saying anxiety will not provide clothing and food. Instead, we need to seek God's kingdom and trust that He will give us what we need for His purposes (Luke 12:31).

Luke 12:22–34 records Jesus telling His disciples to lay down anxiety and trust God for physical needs. He has already told them to reject fame, fear of death, and reliance on riches (Luke 12:1–21). Later, He will tell them they may have to leave family, as well (Luke 12:49–53). Instead, they need to focus on the task that Jesus will give them (Luke 12:35–48), to build the church after His ascension. Matthew 6:25–34 covers the same teaching, although perhaps at a different time and place.

Jesus teaches the disciples about proper priorities. This includes recognizing that God knows all things, even secrets. Believers should honor God more than they fear death, or than they worry about things like food and clothes. Christians are to remain ready for Christ's return, even as faith separates those who believe from those who do not. These ideas revolve around the central theme of verse 34: that a person's heart reflects what they value most.

Luke 12:1—13:9 compares the world with the kingdom of God. Jesus has condemned the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (Luke 11:14–54). He now instructs His disciples to reject the fame and security that Pharisees crave, and hold lightly to their lives, wealth, security, and even family. He then warns the crowd to be wise about their relationships with other people and with God. The next two units each include a miracle and teaching on God's kingdom and salvation (Luke 13:10—15:32). Then the final section in the "travelogue" repeats that three-unit pattern (Luke 16:1—19:27) before Jesus arrives in Jerusalem.

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.