And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is using a bit of a clever wordplay here; while "stature" can mean height, it also frequently referred to a person's age or lifespan. The real point isn't about making yourself taller, but about how utterly powerless our worrying is to even slightly extend the life God has already determined for us.
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is speaking to a crowd about the futility of worrying about material needs, like food and clothing, by contrasting it with the care God provides for birds and lilies. He has just shown that anxiety is unnecessary because it's ineffective, and now he drives that point home by challenging their ability to even influence something as basic as their own lifespan. This question about adding a "cubit" to one's life or stature is a powerful rhetorical device, underscoring that their frantic worries are completely outside their control.
Ever feel like you're just trying to eke out a few more days? Jesus points out the utter powerlessness of anxiety when it comes to adding even a moment to our lifespan.
Jesus uses a powerful image here: trying to add a 'cubit' (a significant length, about 18 inches) to your height or lifespan.
The Futility of Stature
Some scholars think 'stature' refers to physical height. Think about it – can you will yourself to grow taller? Of course not! Our physical growth is determined by genetics and God's design.
The Futility of Lifespan
But many commentators suggest Jesus is actually talking about lifespan. We certainly worry about living longer, right? Yet, the verse says all our anxious fretting can't add even one hour to the time God has appointed for us.
Both interpretations drive home the same point: anxiety is a useless endeavor when it comes to controlling the fundamental aspects of our existence, like how tall we are or how long we live.
Jesus isn't just pointing out our powerlessness; he's contrasting it with the reality of God's sovereign care. Worry tries to seize control, but true peace comes from surrender.
This verse isn't meant to be depressing; it's liberating! Jesus has just spoken about not worrying about food and clothing (vv. 25-26), urging us to consider the birds and the lilies. Those examples show God's provision for His creation.
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The Limits of Human Effort
Our anxious thoughts are like trying to push a boulder uphill with our minds alone. We can't add to our height, and we can't add to our lifespan. These are things ultimately held within God's hands.
The Confidence of Trust
Recognizing our inability to control these core aspects of life should lead us away from anxiety and towards trust. If we can't even add an hour to our life, why would we frantically worry about the things that seemingly threaten it? God's providential care, which we see in nature, extends to us, His children.
Understand the original words
merimnaō · Greek Verb
Refers to a state of excessive worry, distress, or preoccupation with the future. Biblically, it represents a lack of trust in God's providence and sovereignty, often distracting the believer from seeking God's kingdom first.
pēchys · Greek Noun
In Greek, this can refer to a 'cubit' (a unit of measure) or, as in this context, a span of time or life. It emphasizes the futility of human control over the length of one's life.
This psalm speaks of life's brevity using similar imagery to Matthew 6:27, comparing days to a 'handbreadth,' highlighting that our time is not ultimately within our control.
Luke 12:25-26This parallel passage from Luke makes the same point about anxiety being useless by asking if anxious thoughts can extend life, emphasizing that even the 'least' thing (like adding a moment to one's life) is beyond human power.
Ecclesiastes 8:8This verse speaks to the inability of humans to control the timing of their own death, echoing Jesus' point that life's duration is not something we can manipulate through worry or effort.
Proverbs 16:31This proverb suggests that a 'gray head is a crown of glory' when found in the 'way of righteousness,' implying that a long life, if it comes, is a gift from God, not something to be achieved through anxious striving.
barnesMatthew 6:27: "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"
Which of you, by taking thought - The third argument is taken from their extreme weakness and helplessness. With all your care you cannot increase your stature a single cubit. God has ordered your height. Beyond his appointment your powers are of no avail, and you can do nothing. So of raiment. He, by His providence, orders and arranges the circumstances of your life. "Beyond" that appointment of His providence,…
pulpitMatthew 6:27: "Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?"
Verse 27. - Luke 12:25 almost verbally. While ver. 26 insisted on the needlessness of anxiety, since, though birds show it not, they are provided for, ver. 27 insists on its uselessness, since after all it can effect so little. You wish to lengthen your life by it if only to a trifling extent; but you cannot do so. Which of you by taking thought (ver. 25, note) can add one cubit? "Hic videtur similitude petita es…
Jesus is using a bit of a clever wordplay here; while "stature" can mean height, it also frequently referred to a person's age or lifespan. The real point isn't about making yourself taller, but about how utterly powerless our worrying is to even slightly extend the life God has already determined for us.
Jesus is speaking to a crowd about the futility of worrying about material needs, like food and clothing, by contrasting it with the care God provides for birds and lilies. He has just shown that anxiety is unnecessary because it's ineffective, and now he drives that point home by challenging their ability to even influence something as basic as their own lifespan. This question about adding a "cubit" to one's life or stature is a powerful rhetorical device, underscoring that their frantic worries are completely outside their control.
Jesus is speaking to a crowd about the futility of worrying about material needs, like food and clothing, by contrasting it with the care God provides for birds and lilies. He has just shown that anxiety is unnecessary because it's ineffective, and now he drives that point home by challenging their ability to even influence something as basic as their own lifespan. This question about adding a "cubit" to one's life or stature is a powerful rhetorical device, underscoring that their frantic worries are completely outside their control.
"And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" — Jesus is using a bit of a clever wordplay here; while "stature" can mean height, it also frequently referred to a person's age or lifespan. The real point isn't about making yourself taller, but abou…
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Last reviewed October 2026