But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

MATTHEW 6:33KJV
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Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:33 mean?

Matthew 6:33 presents God’s rule and the way of life God considers right as the first concern, ahead of the search for daily necessities. Jesus says that the necessities he has been discussing will also be given to those who seek God’s kingdom and righteousness.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount. His words follow a passage about concern over food, drink, and clothing. “First” gives the sentence its order of importance.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:33

  • “seek ye” — ζητέω (zēteō): The word carries the sense of seeking or pursuing. Its form here calls for an ongoing pursuit, rather than a single search.
  • “kingdom” — βασιλεία (basileia): The word can mean kingship or rule as well as a kingdom. Here it points to God’s rule, not simply to a place with borders.
  • “righteousness” — δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē): The word refers to what is right or just. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses the word when speaking about conduct that is right before God.

Why Matthew 6:33 matters

  • “All these things” refers to needs named in the surrounding passage, not to every possible desire. Jesus has spoken specifically of what people eat, drink, and wear.
  • Jesus places the promise in the setting of God’s care. In verse 32, he says that the heavenly Father knows these needs.
  • The sentence ties God’s kingdom to “his righteousness.” Jesus speaks of God’s rule alongside the conduct God considers right.

Where else these words appear

“added” Greek G4369 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
  • Luke 17:5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
  • Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)

“first” Greek G4412 · used in 61 verses

  • Matthew 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
  • Luke 11:38 And when the Pharisee saw it, he marvelled that he had not first washed before dinner.
  • Romans 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

“righteousness” Greek G1343 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
  • Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
  • Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

“ye” 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?