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Matthew 6

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

What does Matthew 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 6:34 is part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, which spans several chapters of the Gospel of Matthew.

In this verse, Jesus instructs his followers not to worry about future needs but to focus on the present.

The verse reinforces the idea that each day has enough trouble of its own and that excessive worry about the future is unnecessary because the future will take care of itself.

The literal meaning is clear: do not be anxious about tomorrow.

On a deeper level, it speaks to the human condition of worry and the spiritual practice of trust.

It exhorts believers to live in the moment, entrusting their future to God's providence.

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Historical Context

At the time Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, many of his listeners were common people living under Roman occupation in Judea.

Their lives were marked by uncertainty, economic hardship, and political oppression.

The injunction against worrying about the future would have been particularly resonant against this backdrop of daily struggle, encouraging listeners to trust in God's care and provision rather than being consumed by anxiety about what the next day would bring.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives offer varied insights on this verse.

From a Christian standpoint, it emphasizes the omnipotence and providence of God, He is seen as caring and being in control of both the present and the future.

Calvinists may see the verse as affirming the sovereignty of God and predestination.

Conversely, Arminians might interpret this as an encouragement to exercise one's free will in making wise choices today, without attempting to control what is ultimately in God's hands.

Liberation theology might view it as a call to find contentment and resist materialism.

Practical Applications

This verse has many practical applications for daily life.

It encourages individuals to engage in mindfulness and to be present in the moment rather than allow worry to consume their thoughts and actions.

It serves as a reminder to let go of attempts to control the uncontrollable and to instead focus on meeting today's challenges.

It can also be seen as a call to prioritize and simplify life, addressing each day's concerns without becoming overwhelmed by the possible trials of the future.

Cross-References

Matthew 6:25-27: "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.

Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"

Philippians 4:6: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
1 Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
Luke 12:22-26: “And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on."

Language Study

The Greek word for "thought" as used in Matthew 6:34 is "merimnao," which can mean to be anxious, to be troubled with cares.

"Sufficient unto the day" translates from "arketeos," implying that each day has enough troubles without adding the burden of those that are yet to come.

The phrase "the evil thereof" refers not to moral evil but to the hardships or difficulties ("kakia") experienced in daily life.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Buddhist teachings, the concept of mindfulness echoes the sentiment of being present in the moment, akin to the instruction of Matthew 6:34.

Stoicism, an ancient Greek philosophy, also advises a focus on the present moment and on things within one’s control, rather than worrying about the future.

In other religious contexts, such as in Hinduism, there is a comparable emphasis on detachment and trust in a higher power or the natural order of the universe.

Scientific Perspectives

Contemporary psychological perspectives align with the idea of not worrying about the future.

Studies on anxiety and stress demonstrate that excessive worry can lead to a host of mental health issues, including anxiety disorders.

Mindfulness-based interventions are widely employed in cognitive-behavioral therapy to combat anxiety by bringing individuals' focus back to the present.

Commentaries

Different biblical commentators have provided various insights into Matthew 6:34.

John Calvin notes the human tendency to amplify our problems by projecting them into the future, thereby advising against this practice.

Matthew Henry comments on the sufficiency of God’s grace for each day and how we ought to rely on it rather than our own strength.

William Barclay suggests that to worry about tomorrow is to waste today.

Modern-day commentators emphasize the psychological health benefits of adhering to this verse's advice.

Matthew 6

Matthew 6

What does Matthew 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 6:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?