“Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
The full verse · Matthew 6:25 · KJV
I unto , Take for , ye shall , ye shall ; nor yet , ye shall put . the more , the than ?
Asked to
Disciples: "his disciples" (Matthew 5:1), who came to Jesus on the mountain while the multitudes were near; He "opened his mouth, and taught them" (Matthew 5:2).
The Scene
In the Sermon on the Mount, right after saying, "Ye cannot serve God and mammon," Jesus tells His hearers not to be anxious about food, drink, and clothing (Matthew 6:24-25).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus asked this to help His hearers reason their way out of worry. The argument moves from the greater to the lesser. Barnes explains that God has given life, a far greater blessing than food, and has made the body, of far more worth than clothing. Will He who gave the greater not also give the lesser? Gill makes the same point: since God has given these greater gifts, "it may be depended upon, that he will give the lesser." Matthew Henry applies it this way: "If we take care about our souls and for eternity, which are more than the body and its life, we may leave it to God to provide for us food and raiment, which are less."
The Response
What Scripture recordsThe answer is plainly yes: life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Jesus builds on it with more questions and pictures. The birds do not sow or reap, "yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" (Matthew 6:26). The lilies are clothed more gloriously than Solomon (Matthew 6:28-30). Jesus closes with the remedy for worry: "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" (Matthew 6:32-33).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsIn 1611, "thought" often meant anxious care. Barnes notes that the word has "since somewhat changed its signification" and that "The word 'anxiety' would now exactly express the sense." The Greek verb is merimnao, to be anxious or worried, which is why the ESV says "do not be anxious."
Jesus is not forbidding planning or work. Gill says Christ does not forbid labor or all care, but "all anxious, immoderate, perplexing, and distressing thoughts and cares; such as arise from diffidence and unbelief." Barnes points to 1 Timothy 5:8, which expects believers to provide for their households. "Meat" in the KJV means food in general.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question reveals a God who gives the greatest gifts first. He gave life and formed the body, gifts greater than bread or clothes. A Father who has already given the greater can be trusted with the lesser. Jesus calls Him "your heavenly Father" twice in this passage (Matthew 6:26, 32).
The "Therefore" ties this to Matthew 6:24. Matthew Henry calls anxious cares about this life "a bad sign that both the treasure and the heart are on the earth." Jesus' answer is not merely "stop worrying," but "seek ye first the kingdom of God" (Matthew 6:33). Trust in the Father frees His children to give their hearts to His kingdom.
Look Closer
What does "take no thought" mean in the KJV?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, You gave me life and breath before I ever asked; what worry am I carrying that You are inviting me to trust You with today?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- What does your worry say about what you believe God will or won't do for you?
- Share a time God provided something you needed in a way you did not expect.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
When worry about money, food, or clothing rises, try asking Jesus' question yourself: Is not my life more than these things? God has already given you the greater gifts. He knows what you need (Matthew 6:32).
Instead of letting worry steer you, put your first energy into God's kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Pray about your needs, then do today's work faithfully.
This does not mean careless living. Matthew Henry notes there is "a carefulness about temporal things which is a duty, though we must not carry these lawful cares too far." Plan, work, and provide for those in your care, but do it as a child trusting a Father, not as someone who has to hold everything together alone.
Scripture's own application: Philippians 4:6-7
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“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?”
“If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?”