Luke 12 25

Luke 12:25 kjv

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

Luke 12:25 nkjv

And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

Luke 12:25 niv

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?

Luke 12:25 esv

And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Luke 12:25 nlt

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 25 Meaning

Luke 12:25 presents a rhetorical question from Jesus, emphasizing the absolute futility and powerlessness of worry (anxiety) to add anything meaningful, specifically regarding the span or quality of one's life. It teaches that humans, by their anxious efforts, cannot extend their life even by the smallest measure, underscoring divine sovereignty over human existence and the wastefulness of fretting over what God alone controls.

Luke 12 25 Context

Luke 12:25 is part of Jesus' teaching on discipleship, specifically addressing anxiety and trust in God's providence. It follows the Parable of the Rich Fool (Lk 12:13-21), which warns against greed and worldly accumulation, emphasizing that true wealth is not in possessions but in being "rich toward God." Immediately preceding verse 25, Jesus instructs His disciples not to be anxious about life, what they will eat or wear, but to observe God's care for creation (ravens and lilies, Lk 12:22-24, 27-28). The rhetorical question in verse 25 serves to reinforce the logical impossibility and futility of human worry over fundamental aspects of existence that are exclusively in God's control, such as life span. The historical context reflects a society where basic needs like food, clothing, and security were often uncertain, making the temptation to worry a persistent reality. Jesus’ teaching challenges a mindset rooted in self-reliance and redirects trust entirely to God.

Luke 12 25 Word analysis

• And which (καὶ τίς - kai tis): Connects this rhetorical question directly to the preceding exhortation not to worry. It implies a direct challenge to the listener's assumption or logic.

• of you (ἐξ ὑμῶν - ex hymōn): Addresses the listeners directly, making the teaching personal and convicting. It underlines that this universal truth applies to each individual.

• by worrying (μεριμνῶν - merimnōn): From μεριμνάω (merimnaō), meaning "to be anxious, distracted, to care for, to worry." The present participle denotes a continuous state or habit of worrying, not just a passing thought. This is an active and persistent state of mind, which Jesus declares unproductive.

• can add (δύναται προσθεῖναι - dynatai prostheinai): "δύναται" means "is able," "can," implying capacity or power. "προσθεῖναι" means "to add to," "to put in addition." The combined phrase signifies the complete lack of power or ability in humans, through their own anxious effort, to increase anything.

• one cubit (πῆχυν ἕνα - pēchyn hena): A "cubit" was a measure of length, roughly 18 inches (45 cm), based on the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. It's a small but tangible measurement.

  • Significance: This precise measurement emphasizes the absolute minimum increment, highlighting that if one cannot even add this small amount, then truly no significant addition can be made.

• to his stature (ἐπὶ τὴν ἡλικίαν αὐτοῦ - epi tēn hēlikian autou): The Greek word "ἡλικίαν" (hēlikian) is crucial. It can mean "stature" (physical height) or "life span/age."

  • Interpretation Debate:
    • Physical height: If interpreted as height, adding 18 inches would be a huge and obviously impossible increase, making the point forcefully. However, worry about physical height is not a common human preoccupation, especially in the context of food and clothing.
    • Life span/age: If interpreted as life span, adding even a single moment to one's life by worrying is equally impossible. This interpretation fits far better with the overall context of life's provisions (food, drink, clothing) and the futility of human control over existence, which is the consistent theme of Jesus’ teaching against anxiety.
  • Dominant scholarly view: Most scholars and theologians concur that "life span" is the intended meaning here, as it aligns coherently with the preceding verses about being anxious for "your life" (Lk 12:22) and aligns with the parallel in Mt 6:27 ("span of life"). Worry does not lengthen life; it often shortens it due to stress.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And which of you by worrying can add...": This opening questions challenges the listener directly, putting the onus of demonstrating the effectiveness of worry back on them, knowing they cannot. It's a rhetorical question expecting a definitive "none."
  • "...one cubit to his stature/life span?": The specific, even minimal, measurement ("one cubit") combined with the dual meaning of "stature/life span" drives home the point of human powerlessness. Whether it's adding a physical measurement or, more pertinently, an increment of time to one's appointed life, human anxiety is utterly ineffective. This demonstrates the limitations of human will and highlights divine sovereignty over life itself.

Luke 12 25 Bonus section

The concept of "stature" (ἡλικίαν) carrying the dual meaning of physical height and age/life span is a common linguistic phenomenon in ancient Greek. While physical height is technically an aspect of one's "stature," the broader context of Jesus' teaching on worrying about "life" (ψυχῇ - psychē, soul/life), food, drink, and clothing consistently points towards concerns related to sustaining existence, making "life span" the more fitting interpretation. Worry about extending one's days is a universal human preoccupation, whereas worry about physical height, though it can occur, is not as central to survival. Jesus uses this common human vulnerability (the fear of mortality and desire for more life) to powerfully illustrate the impotence of human effort apart from God's will. This teaching thus serves not merely as an admonition against worry, but as a deep theological statement on the limits of human autonomy and the supreme sovereignty of God over life and death. The only effective response to uncertainty about life's duration is to place trust entirely in the One who controls it.

Luke 12 25 Commentary

Luke 12:25 serves as a profound statement on the inherent futility of human anxiety in the face of divine sovereignty. Jesus confronts the common human tendency to worry by pointing out its absolute ineffectiveness. To fret over something as fundamental as life itself – its duration or well-being – is to engage in an activity that yields no beneficial result; in fact, it can be detrimental. The question posed is rhetorical, leading to the undeniable conclusion that no amount of worrying can alter God's established decree for a person's life span or indeed any other significant aspect of their being. This verse reinforces the larger biblical principle that true peace and security are found not in anxious striving but in unwavering trust in God's comprehensive providence, understanding that He has ultimate control over all aspects of our lives. It’s a call to reorient one's energy from fruitless worry to faithful reliance on the Almighty.

• Example: A person obsessively worried about falling ill, spends endless energy and money on prevention, yet falls sick due to stress. Their worry added nothing to their health or prevented sickness, rather it drained their resources and perhaps contributed to their distress. This illustrates the unproductive nature of worry.