And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus highlights the absurdity of anxiety by pointing out that even the smallest, most insignificant personal growth—adding a mere cubit to our height—is utterly beyond our control, and therefore fretting about life's necessities is a futile endeavor. He uses "stature" not just for physical height, but also for "span of life," showing that our very existence and its duration are not things we can manipulate through worry.
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?
English Standard Version (ESV)
A man has just interrupted Jesus' teaching to demand his brother share an inheritance, showing a preoccupation with material wealth. In response, Jesus warns his disciples against greed and the anxiety that comes with it, reminding them that their lives are more valuable than possessions. He then illustrates the futility of such worry by pointing out that no amount of anxious thought can even add a small measure to one's physical height.
Ever felt like you're spinning your wheels, trying to control things that are beyond your reach? Jesus uses a striking image to expose the limits of our own efforts.
Jesus asks a rhetorical question: 'And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?' The point is simple yet profound – our worries cannot physically extend our existence.
If we can't even control our own lifespan, then who or what can we trust for life's essentials?
Jesus juxtaposes human anxiety with God's sovereign provision. The question about adding a cubit to one's life is set against the backdrop of God feeding the ravens and clothing the lilies.
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Understand the original words
hēlikian · Greek Noun
A measurement of time, specifically the length of a human life. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God over the span of human existence, which cannot be extended by human effort alone.
merimnate · Greek Verb
To be divided in mind, troubled, or anxious. In a biblical context, it often refers to a lack of trust in God's providence, causing unnecessary distress over worldly needs.
This teaching on anxiety and life's duration occurs during Jesus' public ministry, often amidst crowds concerned with immediate needs and earthly security. The surrounding events, including Jesus' teachings on spiritual priorities and parables warning against greed, provide a backdrop for understanding his call to trust God's providence over anxious self-reliance.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His ministry drew large crowds, including those seeking practical help and those interested in his teachings.
c. AD 28
Crowds Seek Jesus for Provision
During his ministry, Jesus often encountered people concerned with their immediate needs for food, healing, and deliverance from oppression. Some followed him for the promise of earthly provision.
c. AD 29
Sermon on the Plain
In Luke 6, Jesus delivered a significant teaching, contrasting the blessings of the poor and hungry with the woes of the rich and full. This context underscores his emphasis on spiritual priorities over material wealth.
c. AD 29
Parables of Warning
Jesus told parables like the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21) to caution against greed and the pursuit of earthly riches, highlighting the uncertainty of life and the ultimate vanity of material possessions.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching in Luke, asking the same rhetorical question about anxious worry and human inability to influence fundamental aspects of life like lifespan or stature.
Psalm 39:4-7The Psalmist reflects on the brevity of life and the futility of striving for longevity, mirroring Luke 12:25's point that human effort cannot fundamentally alter our allotted time.
Ecclesiastes 8:8This verse speaks to the inescapable nature of death and the lack of human control over the 'day of death,' reinforcing the idea that worrying cannot extend life beyond what is determined.
Proverbs 16:31This proverb highlights how a long life is often the reward for righteousness and wisdom, suggesting a focus on godly living rather than anxious worry as a more constructive path, contrasting with the futility of anxious striving for length of life.
vincentLuke 12:25: "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?"
Stature (ἡλικίαν)The original meaning of the word is time of life, age. So, commonly, in classical Greek. See, also, John 9:21, John 9:23; Hebrews 11:11. The other meaning, stature, also occurs. Herodotus speaks of one who was of the same height (ἡλικιήν) with another (3:16). But both the usage and the connection are in favor of the meaning age. A measure of time is sometimes represented by a measure of len…
jfbLuke 12:13-53: "And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me."
Lu 12:13-53. Covetousness—Watchfulness—Superiority to Earthly Ties.13. Master, &c.—that is, "Great Preacher of righteousness, help; there is need of Thee in this rapacious world; here am I the victim of injustice, and that from my own brother, who withholds from me my rightful share of the inheritance that has fallen to us." In this most inopportune intrusion upon the sole…
Jesus highlights the absurdity of anxiety by pointing out that even the smallest, most insignificant personal growth—adding a mere cubit to our height—is utterly beyond our control, and therefore fretting about life's necessities is a futile endeavor. He uses "stature" not just for physical height, but also for "span of life," showing that our very existence and its duration are not things we can manipulate through worry.
A man has just interrupted Jesus' teaching to demand his brother share an inheritance, showing a preoccupation with material wealth. In response, Jesus warns his disciples against greed and the anxiety that comes with it, reminding them that their lives are more valuable than possessions. He then illustrates the futility of such worry by pointing out that no amount of anxious thought can even add a small measure to one's physical height.
A man has just interrupted Jesus' teaching to demand his brother share an inheritance, showing a preoccupation with material wealth. In response, Jesus warns his disciples against greed and the anxiety that comes with it, reminding them that their lives are more valuable than possessions. He then illustrates the futility of such worry by pointing out that no amount of anxious thought can even add a small measure to one's physical height.
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?" — Jesus highlights the absurdity of anxiety by pointing out that even the smallest, most insignificant personal growth—adding a mere cubit to our height—is utterly beyond our control, and therefore fre…
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Last reviewed October 2026