Matthew 6:28

And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount, immediately after noting that anxiety cannot extend a person's lifespan. He shifts from a rhetorical question about clothing to a direct command to observe field lilies.

The words — μεριμνᾶτε (merimnate) translates to "are you anxious?" and καταμᾶθετε (katamathete) means "observe" or "consider." These verbs structure the verse by first dismissing worry and then directing attention to natural growth.

The thread — The lily illustration repeats in Luke 12:27, while the command against anxiety appears in Matthew 6:25 and Philippians 4:6. These passages consistently link worry over provision with the need to redirect focus toward God's care.

Why it lands — The text states that lilies grow without labor or spinning and asks why clothing causes worry. It requires the reader to cease calculating material needs and instead practice attentive observation of how nature receives provision.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiAnd περὶperiabout ἐνδύματοςendumatosclothing τίtiwhy μεριμνᾶτε;merimnateare you anxious?καταμάθετεkatamathetedo observe τὰtathe κρίναkrinalilies τοῦtouof the ἀγροῦ,agroufield,πῶςpōshow αὐξάνουσιν·auxanousinthey grow;οὐounot κοπιῶσινkopiōsindo they labor οὐδὲoudenor νήθουσιν.nēthousindo they spin.

King James Version

And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

Cross-references

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Luke 12:27 Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
Matthew 6:31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
Luke 22:35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out without purse or bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
Luke 3:11 John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
Matthew 10:10 Take no bag for the road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staff; for the worker is worthy of his provisions.