Luke 12 24

Luke 12:24 kjv

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Luke 12:24 nkjv

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?

Luke 12:24 niv

Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!

Luke 12:24 esv

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

Luke 12:24 nlt

Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 24 Meaning

Luke 12:24 serves as an invitation to consider God's unfailing provision. It encourages believers to observe creatures like ravens that neither labor to secure food nor store provisions for the future, yet are consistently fed by God. From this observation, Jesus draws a logical and comforting conclusion: if God faithfully sustains even these seemingly insignificant and labor-free creatures, then how much more will He provide for human beings, whom He values infinitely higher. The verse challenges worry, anxiety, and an over-reliance on material wealth or personal efforts, urging a trustful dependence on the Heavenly Father.

Luke 12 24 Context

Luke 12:24 is part of a larger discourse by Jesus to His disciples concerning the pursuit of wealth, the danger of greed, and the call to unwavering trust in God's providence, specifically addressing anxiety about material needs. The preceding verses (Luke 12:13-21) recount the Parable of the Rich Fool, a stark warning against materialism and storing up earthly treasures without being rich toward God. Following this, Jesus directly advises His disciples against worrying about food, clothing, or possessions (Luke 12:22-34). The reference to ravens and lilies (Luke 12:27) serves as a logical progression, demonstrating through creation God's active, faithful care for even the most basic elements of life. Culturally, agrarian societies of Jesus' time lived with constant awareness of weather patterns, harvests, and storage for survival, making anxiety about provisions a deeply relevant concern. Jesus' teaching here directly challenges the prevalent societal norm of self-sufficiency and accumulating wealth as security, instead advocating a radical trust in a Heavenly Father who cares for His children far more profoundly than He cares for birds.

Luke 12 24 Word analysis

• Consider (Greek: katanoēsate): This is not a casual glance but an imperative for careful, observant, and thoughtful attention. It implies studying with understanding, delving into the meaning, and grasping the full implications. Jesus calls for a deliberate reflection on what can be learned from the ravens.
• the ravens (Greek: tous korakas): In Old Testament law (Lev 11:15, Deut 14:14), ravens were designated as unclean birds. Despite this, they are beneficiaries of God's sustenance (Ps 147:9, Job 38:41). The choice of ravens, rather than sparrows as in Matthew's parallel, might emphasize God's universal care extending even to creatures ritually deemed impure, further amplifying His comprehensive providence.
• they neither sow nor reap: This highlights the complete absence of human-like agricultural labor, the common means of securing food in that agrarian society. Ravens do not cultivate land, plant seeds, or gather harvests.
• they have neither storehouse nor barn: These are places of secure storage for collected provisions. The absence implies no foresightful human activity to hoard or store up food for the future, typical practices for humans in an agricultural setting.
• yet God feeds them: The conjunction "yet" (Greek: kai) underscores the astonishing contrast. Despite their lack of effort or foresight in human terms, God, the divine agent, actively and continuously provides for them (present tense, trephei). This points to an unearned, ongoing divine sustenance.
• Of how much more value are you: This is a rhetorical question, emphasizing a comparison from the lesser (birds) to the greater (human beings). Humanity possesses intrinsic, immeasurable worth to God, primarily because humans are created in His image (Gen 1:26-27) and are His beloved children. This greater value demands a greater level of trust.
• than birds!: The comparison anchors the entire argument. If God so reliably cares for birds that exert no self-provision efforts, His commitment to humans, whom He values supremely, is undoubtedly steadfast.

Words-group analysis

• Consider the ravens: This phrase invites reflective observation of creation as a theological teacher. Nature provides undeniable evidence of God's character and consistent operation in the world.
• they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn: This complete denial of typical human agricultural practices underscores the ravens' total lack of self-sufficiency. They are utterly dependent on external provision, mirroring the desired radical dependence of believers on God.
• yet God feeds them: This emphasizes the absolute agency of God in providing. The contrast with their lack of human effort highlights the sovereign and active nature of divine providence. It's not passive, but an intentional act of sustaining.
• Of how much more value are you than birds!: This rhetorical exclamation culminates the argument, establishing human worth in the eyes of God as a foundational reason to reject worry. The logic flows from God's character, demonstrated through His creation, to His unwavering care for His children.

Luke 12 24 Bonus section

• The passage utilizes a common Jewish pedagogical technique, an a fortiori argument (from the lesser to the greater), to strengthen its point. If the lesser (ravens) are cared for, then the greater (humans) will be too.
• Jesus' teaching here is a profound counter-cultural message to a society heavily dependent on agriculture and the diligent storing of wealth for survival. He is shifting their focus from earthly security to divine security.
• The mention of ravens, often scavenging birds, further underlines God's unconditional provision, extending even to what some might consider undesirable or unholy. This demonstrates a comprehensive and unbiased care from God.
• The verb "feeds" (trephei) implies an active, ongoing, and complete provision, not just occasional sustenance. This ensures daily needs are met, aligning with the pattern seen in the manna in the wilderness (Exod 16).

Luke 12 24 Commentary

Luke 12:24 presents a profound lesson in divine providence, offering a powerful antidote to anxiety. Jesus, drawing upon everyday observations of the natural world, demonstrates that God's meticulous and loving care extends to all His creation. The choice of ravens is deliberate and impactful; as creatures often deemed unclean in the Levitical law, their consistent feeding by God highlights the boundless nature of His compassion and provision. They do not employ human methods of securing livelihood – no tilling, harvesting, or storing – yet they never lack. This observation directly challenges the human tendency to seek security in self-sufficiency, accumulated wealth, or strenuous labor.

The core of the verse lies in the climactic rhetorical question: "Of how much more value are you than birds!" If God provides for these simple, "unclean" birds without any effort from them, His care for His beloved children, created in His image and recipients of His divine love, is guaranteed to be far greater and more encompassing. The verse, therefore, calls for a radical trust that releases the believer from the burden of obsessive worry and encourages a joyful dependence on a benevolent Heavenly Father who knows their needs and actively sustains them. It reframes life not as a constant struggle for material provision, but as an opportunity to experience and reflect God's gracious care.