Luke 12:22

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

Luke 12:22 (KJV)

Context

Jesus speaks these words to His disciples immediately after the parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21). That man stored up abundant earthly wealth but was not rich toward God. The word “Therefore” links the command not to be anxious to that warning about the folly of trusting in possessions.

Meaning

Jesus begins with “Therefore I say unto you,” marking this as essential teaching. The Greek verb translated “take no thought” (μὴ μεριμνᾶτε) means “do not be anxious” or “do not worry.” In older English, “take no thought” carried this sense of anxious care, not thoughtlessness or laziness. Jesus addresses two basic concerns: what we will eat and what we will wear. His disciples were often poor and prone to anxiety about daily needs.

This command does not forbid planning, work, or responsible provision. It forbids the anxious, distrustful worry that assumes God will not care for us. Jesus calls His followers to a mindset of trust in the Father’s faithfulness.

Biblical connections

In the following verse (Luke 12:24), Jesus points to the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, yet God feeds them. If God cares for birds, how much more will He care for His disciples? A parallel teaching appears in Matthew 6:25, where Jesus gives the same instruction in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:33 adds the positive command: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Our primary concern is to seek God’s kingdom, and He promises to provide for our needs.

Application

This verse challenges us to surrender our worries to God and to depend on Him rather than on our own efforts or possessions. It invites us to examine our priorities: are we consumed by material concerns, or are we seeking first His kingdom? Trusting God’s provision frees us from the anxiety that so often dominates daily life. We are called to live with faith and surrender, knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for us.