Matthew 6:28
And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus points to the lilies not just for their beauty, but for their spontaneity; they grow effortlessly and are clothed by God's hand, without any human labor or concern. This highlights that true provision comes from God's active care, not our anxious striving.
Jesus is transitioning from talking about anxiety over food to anxiety over clothing, using the natural world as His teacher. He's encouraging his listeners to stop worrying about what they'll wear by pointing to the incredible beauty of wildflowers, which God cares for even though they are temporary. This leads into a direct comparison of their worth to these flowers, emphasizing that God's provision for them will far exceed His care for the lilies.
Anxious about your clothes? Jesus points to something in nature that has no 'to-do' list but still looks amazing. What can we learn from its effortless beauty?
Jesus asks us why we worry about clothing, then directs our attention to the lilies of the field. Notice the contrast:
This highlights how nature, under God's design, operates without human-like labor for its adornment. It simply is, and God provides.
Did you know God cares about beauty? Jesus uses the lilies to show that even the most temporary parts of creation are adorned with incredible splendor.
Jesus wants us to 'consider' the lilies, not just look at them. This means to observe and deeply appreciate them.
If God so elaborately clothes something as fleeting as a flower, shouldn't we trust Him with our own needs?
This passage from Luke directly parallels Jesus' teaching about lilies, reinforcing the idea that God's provision extends even to the transient beauty of nature, a powerful argument for His care of humanity.
Job 38:41This Old Testament passage asks who provides food for the ravens, a concept similar to Jesus' argument about the lilies and clothing, highlighting God's abundant provision for all of His creation.
Psalm 147:8-9This Psalm praises God for covering the heavens with clouds and providing rain for the earth, and specifically for giving food to the cattle and to young ravens when they cry, echoing the theme of God's generous provision for all living things, including the unthinking creatures like lilies.
Matthew 6:30This verse immediately follows the teaching about the lilies, drawing the direct conclusion that if God clothes the grass of the field so beautifully, He will surely clothe those of 'little faith' who are His children.
1 Kings 10:18-19This description of Solomon's magnificent ivory throne adorned with gold speaks to the pinnacle of human craft and wealth, serving as a stark contrast to the effortless, divine beauty of the lilies that Jesus uses to illustrate God's superior provision.
barnesMatthew 6:28: "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:"
Consider the lilies of the field - The fourth consideration is taken from the care which God bestows on lilies. Watch the growing of the lily. It toils not, and it spins not; yet night and day it grows. With a beauty with which the most splendid monarch of the East was never adorned. it expands its blossom and fills the air with fragrance. Yet this beauty is…
pulpitMatthew 6:28: "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:"
Verse 28. - Parallel passage: Luke 12:26, 27. Luke's is longer and seemingly more original. But in the absence of external evidence, it must always be a matter of opinion whether Matthew has compressed the longer form of the words, or vice versa. And why take ye thought for raiment? In vers. 25-27 our Lord had spoken of food; in vers. 28-30 he speaks of dres…
Jesus points to the lilies not just for their beauty, but for their spontaneity; they grow effortlessly and are clothed by God's hand, without any human labor or concern. This highlights that true provision comes from God's active care, not our anxious striving.
Jesus is transitioning from talking about anxiety over food to anxiety over clothing, using the natural world as His teacher. He's encouraging his listeners to stop worrying about what they'll wear by pointing to the incredible beauty of wildflowers, which God cares for even though they are temporary. This leads into a direct comparison of their worth to these flowers, emphasizing that God's provision for them will far exceed His care for the lilies.
Jesus is transitioning from talking about anxiety over food to anxiety over clothing, using the natural world as His teacher. He's encouraging his listeners to stop worrying about what they'll wear by pointing to the incredible beauty of wildflowers, which God cares for even though they are temporary. This leads into a direct comparison of their worth to these flowers, emphasizing that God's provision for them will far exceed His care for the lilies.
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"And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin," — Jesus points to the lilies not just for their beauty, but for their spontaneity; they grow effortlessly and are clothed by God's hand, without any human labor or concern. This highlights that true…
