Bible Commentary

Luke 12:22-40

Matthew Henry on Luke 12:22-40

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 6:25–34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease.

As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it.

If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants.

We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world.

We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.

Recommended reading

More for Luke 12:22-40

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:1-59Luke 12:1-59 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:1-59Luke 12:1-59 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Lord, after leaving the Pharisee's house, speaks at great length to a numerous crowd waiting for him, addressing his words principally to his own disciples. The foregoing scene (Luke 11:1-54.), when the Master addre…The Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:13-31Luke 12:13-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryWorldliness. To the earnest teacher nothing can be more irritating than a half-attentive attitude or a remark which indicates preoccupation of mind with other and inferior things. Think of Christ, towards the close of a…Inordinate Care ReprovedLuke 12:22-40 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleINORDINATE CARE REPROVED. Our Lord Jesus is here inculcating some needful useful lessons upon his disciples, which he had before taught them, and had occasion afterwards to press upon them; for they need to have precept…The Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:22-40Luke 12:22-40 · The Pulpit CommentaryLessons from the fowls and lilies Our Lord, having related the parable against covetousness, or the selfish use of money, proceeds in the present section to show how foolish the anxious thought is about these temporal t…The Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:22Luke 12:22 · The Pulpit CommentaryAnd 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. A better rendering for "Take no thought" is Be not anxious about. T…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:1-59EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:1-59The Lord, after leaving the Pharisee's house, speaks at great length to a numerous crowd waiting for him, addressing his words principally to his own disciples. The foregoing scene (Luke 11:1-54.), when the Master addre…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:13-31Worldliness. To the earnest teacher nothing can be more irritating than a half-attentive attitude or a remark which indicates preoccupation of mind with other and inferior things. Think of Christ, towards the close of a…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryInordinate Care ReprovedINORDINATE CARE REPROVED. Our Lord Jesus is here inculcating some needful useful lessons upon his disciples, which he had before taught them, and had occasion afterwards to press upon them; for they need to have precept…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:22And 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. A better rendering for "Take no thought" is Be not anxious about. T…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:22-30Anxiety or trustfulness? We read of "care-encumbered men;" and truly we see more than we could wish of them. As we look into the faces of those we meet daily, we are saddened with the thought that a great weight of care…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:22-40Lessons from the fowls and lilies Our Lord, having related the parable against covetousness, or the selfish use of money, proceeds in the present section to show how foolish the anxious thought is about these temporal t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Luke 12:24-27Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them … Consider the lilies … they toil not, they spin not: and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glor…Joseph S. Exell and contributors