And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

LUKE 12:29KJV
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Luke 12:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:29 mean?

Luke 12:29 tells readers not to be anxious or preoccupied about what they will eat or drink, and not to let their minds be unsettled by worry. The verse encourages a calm trust rather than a restless search for daily necessities.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his disciples as part of a larger teaching about trusting God’s care. The situation is one where Jesus is urging his followers not to let concerns about basic needs dominate their thoughts, especially in times of uncertainty. The phrase “neither be ye of doubtful mind” points to the idea of not letting worry or uncertainty control one’s thinking.

The Greek behind Luke 12:29

  • The word “seek” (ζητέω, zēteō) often means to search for or strive after something. Here, it suggests an anxious or consuming pursuit, not just a casual interest.
  • The phrase “of doubtful mind” comes from the Greek word μετεωρίζομαι (meteōrizomai), which carries the sense of being up in the air, unsettled, or tossed about. This word paints a picture of a mind that is restless and agitated by worry.
  • The verbs for “eat” (φαγείν, phagein) and “drink” (πίνειν, pinein) are ordinary words, but in this context, they highlight the basic, everyday needs that people can become overly concerned about.

Why Luke 12:29 matters

  • Luke 12:29 clarifies that Jesus is not just talking about spiritual matters, but about everyday concerns that can easily dominate people’s lives.
  • The verse emphasizes that worry is not just an emotion but a state of mind that can leave a person unsettled and distracted from trusting God.
  • This teaching connects to the wider passage, where Jesus reassures his followers that God knows their needs and will provide, inviting them to focus on trust rather than anxiety.

Where else these words appear

“drink” Greek G4095 · used in 66 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 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?
  • Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
  • John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

“eat” Greek G5315 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 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?
  • Luke 6:4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

“seek” Greek G2212 · used in 116 verses

  • Matthew 2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
  • Luke 13:7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
  • John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?