Matthew 6:31 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:31 mean?

Matthew 6:31 tells the listener not to worry about basic needs like food, drink, or clothing, and not to let anxious questions about these things fill their minds. The verse urges people to avoid being preoccupied with daily necessities, trusting that these concerns will be taken care of.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, addressing common anxieties about survival and daily life. The statement comes as part of a larger teaching about trusting God rather than being consumed by worry over material needs. The emphasis is on letting go of anxiety about the future and focusing on faith rather than fear.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:31

• The word "thought" is μεριμνάω (merimnaō), which is often understood as "to be anxious" or "to worry." This word highlights that Jesus is not just talking about casual planning, but about anxious, troubled concern.
• The phrase "take no thought" uses μή (mē) with μεριμνάω (merimnaō), which in Greek strongly urges the listener to stop a current habit of worrying, not just to avoid starting it.
• The verbs "eat" (φαγεῖν, phagein), "drink" (πιεῖν, piein), and "be clothed" (περιβαλεῖν, peribalein) are all basic needs, showing that Jesus is addressing the most fundamental human concerns, not luxuries.

Why Matthew 6:31 matters

• Matthew 6:31 clarifies that Jesus is not condemning planning or responsibility, but specifically the kind of anxious worrying that distracts from trust in God.
• This verse connects to the larger theme in the Sermon on the Mount about where people place their trust—whether in God or in their own efforts to secure their lives.
• The verse helps clear up the misunderstanding that faith means ignoring practical needs; instead, it points to a different attitude toward those needs, one shaped by trust rather than anxiety.