Why
are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
Matthew 6:28-30
Matthew 6 [24.] “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?
Matthew 6 [27.] “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
Matthew 6 [31.] “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
Meaning:
Jesus is teaching his disciples not to be anxious about food and clothing. He has pointed to the birds that God feeds (Matthew 6:25-27). Now he turns from the sky to the ground and points to the wildflowers of Galilee. If God dresses them in beauty, he will surely care for his own children.
- “Why are you anxious about clothing?”
Clothing was costly in the ancient world. Most people owned only a few garments, and a good cloak was a valuable possession. For poor families, having enough to wear was a real concern. Jesus does not mock that worry. He answers it by directing attention to the faithfulness of God.
- “Consider the lilies of the field”
The word “consider” means to look carefully and learn. The “lilies” were probably the many wildflowers that cover the hills of Galilee in spring with red, purple and white. They do not work hard like farmers, or spin thread like those who make clothes, yet they are beautifully dressed. Their beauty is God’s gift.
- “Even Solomon in all his glory”
Solomon was the richest and most splendid king in Israel’s history. When the queen of Sheba saw his court, including the clothing of his officials, “there was no more spirit in her” (1 Kings 10:4-5). Yet a single flower of the field, made by God, surpasses all that royal splendor.
- “The grass of the field … thrown into the oven”
Wildflowers and dry grass were gathered as fuel for clay ovens, because wood was scarce. Their life was short. Scripture often uses grass as a picture of human frailty: “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). The argument moves from lesser to greater: if God takes care to clothe something so brief, how much more will he care for people made in his image, who will live forever.
- “You of little faith”
Jesus gently rebukes worry as a lack of trust. He used the same words when his disciples feared the storm (Matthew 8:26) and when Peter began to sink: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31). Little faith is not no faith, but faith that does not yet rest fully in the Father’s care.
The Significance of Matthew 6:28-30
- Trusting the Father’s care
Jesus does not promise luxury, and he does not forbid work. He promises that our heavenly Father knows our needs and will provide. Paul wrote with the same confidence, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
- Seeing God in creation
The lilies invite us to slow down and notice the beauty God has placed around us. Creation preaches a quiet sermon about his generosity. Luke records the same teaching (Luke 12:27-28), and both Gospels lead to the same conclusion: seek first God’s Kingdom and trust him with the rest (Matthew 6:33).
Cross-References:
Luke 12:27: "Consider the lilies, how they grow." Luke’s parallel.
Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God stands forever." The frailty of grass.
Philippians 4:19: "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God provides.
Conclusion: In Matthew 6:28-30 Jesus answers anxiety about clothing by pointing to the lilies of the field. God clothes these short-lived flowers more beautifully than Solomon in all his glory, so he will surely care for his children. Worry reveals little faith; trust rests in the Father who knows our needs and provides for them.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible