(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

MATTHEW 6:32KJV
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Matthew 6:32 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:32 mean?

Matthew 6:32 explains that people who do not know God ("the Gentiles") are always chasing after material needs, but believers should remember that God already knows what they need. Jesus is telling his listeners that their heavenly Father is aware of their daily concerns and will take care of them.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to his followers during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them not to worry about food, drink, or clothing. He points out that those who do not have a relationship with God are anxious about these things, but God’s children can trust that their needs are known to Him. This sets up a contrast between those who trust in God and those who do not.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:32

  • ἔθνη (ethnē, "Gentiles"): This word refers to non-Jewish people, often understood as those outside God’s covenant. Here, it highlights a group that does not know or trust in the God Jesus describes as "your heavenly Father."
  • ἐπιζητοῦσιν (epizētousin, "seek"): The Greek word carries the sense of "eagerly seek" or "run after." It suggests an anxious, driven pursuit, not just a casual interest. Jesus is emphasizing the difference between anxious striving and trusting dependence.
  • οἶδεν (oiden, "knoweth"): This word means to know fully or be aware. Jesus reassures his listeners that God is not distant or unaware; He is fully conscious of their real needs.

Why Matthew 6:32 matters

  • Matthew 6:32 clears up the idea that God is unaware or unconcerned about everyday needs; Jesus directly says God knows what people require.
  • The verse highlights a key difference between those who trust God and those who do not: trust replaces anxiety about material things.
  • This verse connects to the larger teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus encourages his followers to focus on God’s kingdom rather than being consumed by worry about daily life.

Where else these words appear

“need” Greek G5535 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
  • Romans 16:2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.

“heavenly” Greek G3770 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“after” Greek G1934 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
  • Luke 12:30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
  • Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded

“all” Greek G537 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 24:39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  • Luke 8:37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again.
  • Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;