Luke 12:30

For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.

World English Bible
Learn

Your notes

Private to you. Anything you write on this verse, here or while reading, shows up here and in My study.

Other translations

WEBBE

For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things.

BSB

For the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.

KJV

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

ASV

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: but your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

BBE

For the nations of the world go in search of all these things: but your Father has knowledge that you have need of them.

Original Greek

Look up a word

Tap a word to see what it means and everywhere else it's used.

The early church

And that you may understand an elation of this kind, remember the vanity of your own youth; if at any time while by yourself you have thought about life and promotions, passing rapidly from one dignity to another, have grasped riches, have built palaces, benefitted friends, been revenged upon enemies. Now such abstraction is sin, for to have our delights fixed upon useless things, leads away from the truth. Hence He goes on to add, For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, &c. But with respect to the necessaries of life, He adds, And your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
Basil of Caesarea · d. 379Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)
(ubi sup.) For to be careful about visible things is the part of those who possess no hope of a future life, no fear of judgment to come.
Gregory of Nyssa · d. 395Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 22–40

Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 6:25-34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.

Read Matthew Henry on Luke 12 →

Parallel passages

1

The same words or events elsewhere.

Cross-references

11

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.