Matthew 6:30-34

Matthew 6:30-34
Narrative Lectionary

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30 But if GodA so clothesB the grassC of the field,D

Notes on verse 30a

A “God” = Theos. From Proto-Indo-European origins, meaning do, put, place. This is God or a god in general.
B “clothes” = amphiennumi. 4x in NT. From the same as amphoteroi (both, around, all) + hennumi (to clothe, invest). This is to put on, clothe.
C “grass” = chortos. 15x in NT. This is food, grass, hay, wheat. It can also be a place of feeding, garden, court, or pasture.
D “field” = agros. This is a field as a place where one grows crops or pastures cattle. It can also refer to a farm or lands. This is one of the roots of “agriculture.”

which is aliveE todayF and tomorrowG is thrownH into the oven,I

Notes on verse 30b

E “is alive” = eimi. This is to be, exist.
F “today” = semeron. From hemera (day, time, daybreak); perhaps from hemai (to sit). This is today, now, at present.
G “tomorrow” = aurion. 14x in NT. Perhaps from aer (air that we breathe); from aemi (to breathe or blow). This is tomorrow.
H “thrown” = ballo. This is to throw, cast, rush, place, or drop. It is throwing, but it could be with more or less velocity and with more or less force/violence.
I “oven” = klibanos. 2x in NT. This is oven or furnace for baking.

will he not muchJ moreK clothe you—you of little faith?L 

Notes on verse 30c

J “much” = polus. This is much, often, plenteous – a large number or a great extent.
K “more” = mallon. This is rather, more than, or better.
L “of little faith” = oligopistos. 6x in NT– 5 in Matthew & 1 in Luke. From oligos (few, small, short, brief, puny) + pistis (faith, faithfulness, belief, trust, confidence; to be persuaded or come to trust); from peitho (to have confidence, urge, be persuaded, agree, assure, believe, have confidence, trust). This is of little faith – incredulous, lacking confidence.

31 Therefore do not worry,M saying,N ‘What will we eat?’O or ‘What will we drink?’P or ‘What will we wear?’Q 

Notes on verse 31

M “worry” = merimnao. 19x in NT. From merimna (care, worry, anxiety; being separated from the whole); from merizo (to divide, part, share, distribute, assign; figuratively, to differ); from meros (part, share, portion figurative or literal); from meiromai (to get your share, receive one’s allotment). This is to be anxious, distracted, or care for. It is being pulled in different directions – usually a negative.
N “saying” = lego. This is to speak, say, name, call, command. It is generally to convey verbally.
O “eat” = phago. This is to eat or figuratively to consume like rust does.
P “drink” = pino. This is to drink, literally or figuratively.
Q “wear” = periballo. Related to “thrown” in v30. From peri (about, concerning, all around, encompassing) + ballo (see note H above). This is to thrown around, clothe, array, put on.

32 For it is the gentilesR who seekS allT these things,

Notes on verse 32a

R “gentiles” = ethnos. Probably from etho (a custom or culture). This is people who are united by having similar customs or culture. Generally, it is used to refer to Gentiles. This is a tribe, race, nation, or Gentiles in general. This is where the term “ethnicity” comes from.
S “seek” = epizeteo. 13x in NT. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + zeteo (to seek, search for, desire. searching for something by inquiring or investigation; to seek in a literal or figurative sense; to worship God). This is to desire, search for, seek, or want. It is following through on a personal goal by seeking.
T “all” = pas. This is all or every.

and indeed your heavenlyU FatherV knowsW that you needX allY these things. 

Notes on verse 32b

U “heavenly” = ouranios. 9x in NT. From ouranos (air, sky, the atmosphere, heaven; the sky that is visible; the spiritual heaven where God dwells; implies happiness, power, and eternity); {perhaps from oros (mountain, hill)}. This is heavenly or celestial. It can mean in, belonging to, or coming from heaven or the sky.
V “Father” = pater. This is father in a literal or figurative sense. Could be elder, senior, ancestor, originator, or patriarch.
W “knows” = eido. This is to know, consider perceive, appreciate, behold, or remember. It means seeing with one’s eyes, but also figuratively, it means perceiving – seeing that becomes understanding. So, by implication, this means knowing or being aware.
X “need” = chrezo. 5x in NT. From chre (what is proper, fitting, or necessary); from chraomai (to use, make use of, give what is needed, act in a specific way, request) This is to need, want, or desire.
Y “all” = hapas. Related to “all” in v32. From hama (at once, together with) + pas (see note T above) OR from a (with) + pas (see above). This is all; every part working together as a unit.

33 But seekZ firstAA the kingdomBB of God 

Notes on verse 33a

Z “seek” = zeteo. Related to “seek” in v32. See note S above.
AA “first” = proton. From protos (what is first, which could be the most important, the first in order, the main one, the chief); from pro (before, first, in front of, earlier). This is firstly, before, in the beginning, formerly.
BB “kingdom” = basileia. From basileus (king, emperor, sovereign); probably from basis (step, hence foot; a pace); from baino (to walk, to go). This is kingdom, rule, authority, sovereignty, royalty, a realm.

and his righteousness,CC and allDD these things will be givenEE to you as well.

Notes on verse 33b

CC “righteousness” = dikaiosune. From dikaios (correct, righteous – implies innocent; this is that which conforms to God’s notion of justice, uprightness); from dike (the principle of justice; that which is right in a way that is very clear; a decision or the execution of that decision; originally, this word was for custom or usage; evolved to include the process of law, judicial hearing, execution of sentence, penalty, and even vengeance; more commonly, it refers to what is right); may be from deiknumi (to show, point out, exhibit; figurative for teach, demonstrate, make known). This is judicial or divine approval of character or action. This is righteousness, justice, justness, divine righteousness.
DD “all” = pas. Same as “all” in v32. See note T above.
EE “given” = prostithemi. 18x in NT. From pros (at, to, toward, with) + tithemi (to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense; properly, this is placing something in a passive or horizontal position). This is to add, place to, bring together for a reason, or add up.

34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worriesFF of its own. Today’s troubleGG is enoughHH for today.II

Notes on verse 34

FF “bring worries” = merimnao. Same as “worry” in v31. See note M above.
GG “trouble” = kakia. 11x in NT. From kakos (bad, evil, harm, ill; this is evil that is part of someone’s core character – intrinsic, rotted, worthless, depraved, causing harm; it is deep inner malice that comes from a rotten character). This is wickedness, evil, trouble, misfortune, inner malice, badness. It is inherent evil, depravity, causing harm.
HH “enough” = arketos. 3x in NT– same word as “today’s trouble is enough for today” from Matthew 6:34. From arkeo (to assist, be satisfied or sufficient; properly, to ward off, by extension being satisfactory). This is enough or satisfactory.
II “today” = hemera. Related to “today” in v30. See note F above.


Image credit: “Garden Colors” by Rajumak, 2015.

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