And which of you with taking thought ,.... In an anxious and distressing manner, for food and raiment, in order to preserve and continue life, add to his stature one cubit ? The Persic version reads, "to his stature and height", as if this referred to the height of stature; whereas it seems rather to regard the age of a man, and the continuance of his life; See Gill on Matthew 6:27 . read more
If ye then be not able to do that which is least ,.... As to make the smallest addition to a man's stature, or rather to add one moment to his days: why take ye thought for the rest ? which are much greater, as to preserve the body in its whole bulk, and all its parts, or for the feeding and clothing of it, or rather for the continuation and preservation of life to any length of time; for if it cannot be by all a man's care and solicitude lengthened out one moment longer than is the... read more
Consider the lilies how they grow ,.... Some copies read, "the lilies of the field", as in Matthew 6:28 The Persic version renders the word, "the roses and lilies of the field": and the Arabic version, the "flowers"; any flowers of the field; for what is afterwards said, is true of any of them, but particularly of the lilies: now, as the former instance of God's feeding the ravens is designed to remove all anxious and distressing thoughts about food for the body; this is mentioned to take... read more
If then God so clothe the grass ,.... lilies and tulips; for they are no other than grass, weak, frail, fading, short lived flowers, which have all their gaiety and beauty from the great Creator of them: which is today in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven : the grass is one day in the field, in all its verdure, glory, and beauty; and being cut down before evening, the next day it is withered and dried, and made fit to put into an oven, or under a furnace to heat them with: ... read more
And seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink ,.... That is, in an anxious and distressing manner, with a tormenting and vexatious care; otherwise food is to be both asked of God every day, and to be sought for and after in the use of proper means: neither be ye of doubtful minds ; questioning and distrusting that ye shall have any thing to eat or drink: be not fickle, unstable, and inconstant, and wandering in your thoughts about these things, like the meteors in the air, which... read more
For all these things do the nations of the world seek after ,.... That is, the Gentiles, as in Matthew 6:32 who are frequently, in the Jewish writings, called, in distinction from the Jews, אומות העולם , "the nations of the world" F19 Vid. T. Bab. Gittin, fol. 28. 2. & 29. . This is an argument used to dissuade from an immediate and anxious concern for food and raiment, because it is Heathenish, and therefore very unbecoming the disciples and followers of Christ: it need not... read more
But rather seek ye the kingdom of God ,.... The Vulgate Latin version adds, "first", as also, "and his righteousness", as in Matthew 6:33 and the Ethiopic version reads, "seek his kingdom and righteousness" meaning either the grace of God, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, Romans 14:17 or the heavenly glory; unless the Gospel, and the dispensation of it, which is the Messiah's kingdom, and which was then just ushering in, should rather be... read more
Fear not little flock ,.... these words are particularly directed to the immediate apostles and disciples of Christ; but are true of all the saints in all ages of time, who are compared to a "flock of sheep", being separated from the rest of the world in election, redemption, and the effectual calling, and being folded together in a Gospel church state; and also for their patience, meekness, humility, and harmlessness: these are a "little" flock; few in number, when compared with the wicked... read more
Sell that ye have, and give alms ,.... Since they had a kingdom bequeathed them by their heavenly Father, they should be so far from indulging an anxious care about food and raiment, that when there was a call in providence for it, and rather than the poor should go without a supply, it became them to sell their houses and lands, and whatever possessions they had, and relieve them; and so they did not long after; for some of those who sold their estates, and brought the money to the... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens ,.... According to the Jews F11 T. Bab. Cholin, fol. 63. 1. there are three sorts of ravens, the black raven, the raven of the valley, which is said to be white, and the raven whose head is like a dove. In Matthew the "fowls of the air" in general are mentioned, as they are here in the Cambridge copy of Beza's; but in others, "the ravens" in particular, they being fowls of very little worth, and disregarded by men, and odious to them, as well as unclean by the law;... read more