Matthew 6 20

Matthew 6:20 kjv

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Matthew 6:20 nkjv

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:20 niv

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:20 esv

but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6:20 nlt

Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

Matthew 6 verses

Matthew 6 20 Meaning

This verse exhorts believers to invest their spiritual capital and focus their ultimate allegiance not on transient earthly possessions or fleeting accomplishments, but on eternal realities that are secure in God's presence. It is a divine call to shift one's core ambition and efforts from accumulating temporary material wealth, which is inherently vulnerable to decay and theft, to pursuing heavenly riches that are imperishable and perpetually safeguarded by divine providence.

Matthew 6 20 Context

Matthew 6:20 is situated within Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, specifically in a section addressing true righteousness (Mt 6:1-18) and a right relationship with worldly possessions (Mt 6:19-34). Verses 19-21 form a direct antithetical parallel. Verse 19 warns against laying up treasures on earth due to their vulnerability to natural decay and theft, serving as a negative injunction. Verse 20 provides the positive counter-command, directing disciples to store up imperishable treasures in heaven. Verse 21 then explains the underlying spiritual principle: the location of one's treasure dictates the allegiance of their heart.

Historically, in the agrarian society of Jesus' time, common forms of wealth included valuable garments susceptible to moths, metal objects (like tools, ornaments, coins) that could rust, and stored grain or jewels vulnerable to thieves breaking through mud or brick walls. The advice speaks directly to the tangible concerns of the original audience, yet its implications are spiritual and eternal, challenging a widespread cultural pursuit of earthly security and accumulation. Jesus is not forbidding material possession but critiquing the ultimate pursuit and reliance on them, implicitly polemicizing against materialism and idolatry of wealth.

Matthew 6 20 Word analysis

• But: Greek alla (ἀλλὰ). A strong adversative conjunction, emphatically introducing a direct contrast and alternative to the previous command in Mt 6:19.
• lay up: Greek thēsaurizete (θησαυρίζετε). The imperative form of thēsaurizō, meaning "to gather, accumulate, store up treasure, hoard." It implies intentional action and significant effort directed towards accumulation. The word is the root of "treasure."
• for yourselves: The reflexive pronoun "yourselves" emphasizes that this act is for their own ultimate benefit, distinct from any benefit derived by others from their earthly giving or storage. It highlights a personal investment with an enduring return.
• treasures: Greek thēsauroi (θησαυροί). Plural of thēsauros. Refers to accumulated wealth, valuable items, or stored riches. Here, it takes on a metaphorical sense, referring to spiritual investments or merits that hold eternal value.
• in heaven: Greek en ouranō (ἐν οὐρανῷ). Indicates the place or sphere of storing. "Heaven" represents God's realm, eternity, and a realm of ultimate security and permanence, in direct opposition to the earthly realm of decay and insecurity.
• where: Greek hopou (ὅπου). A relative adverb of place, pointing to "heaven" as the location with specific characteristics, introducing the subsequent clauses that describe heaven's attributes regarding security.
• neither moth: Greek sēs (σής). Refers to a cloth-eating worm or insect, particularly damaging to fine garments, which were a common and easily transportable form of wealth and display of status in the ancient world.
• nor rust: Greek brosis (βρῶσις). Literally "an eating" or "corrosion." Refers to the decay or tarnishing of metals, signifying natural deterioration that affects valuable objects like coins, jewelry, or metal utensils.
• destroys: Greek aphanizei (ἀφανίζει). Means "to cause to disappear, obliterate, remove from sight, spoil." It signifies complete ruin or rendering useless.
• and where: Repetition of kai hopou (καὶ ὅπου) from verse 19 for emphatic contrast and parallelism, continuing to describe the uncorruptible nature of heavenly treasure.
• thieves: Greek kleptai (κλέπται). Plural of kleptēs, meaning "one who steals." The human element of loss, representing malicious intent and external threat to accumulated wealth.
• do not break in: Greek dioryssousin (διορύσσουσιν). From dioryssō, meaning "to dig through, excavate through." In the context of ancient houses, this refers to digging through walls made of mud-brick or plaster to gain entry and steal.
• and steal: Greek kleptousin (κλέπτουσιν). From kleptō, meaning "to steal, purloin." The act of unlawfully taking possession.

Words-group analysis

• lay up for yourselves treasures: This phrase instructs deliberate action in accruing value for personal gain. The emphasis is not on withholding, but on directing effort towards an alternative, superior form of wealth.
• in heaven: Establishes the exclusive and essential location for true, imperishable treasure. It fundamentally shifts the horizon of human aspiration from temporal to eternal.
• neither moth nor rust destroys: Highlights the natural processes of decay that make earthly wealth ephemeral. It underscores the complete immunity of heavenly treasures from such deterioration.
• and where thieves do not break in and steal: Points to the external threats (human malice) that render earthly possessions insecure. In contrast, heavenly treasures are beyond the reach of any external malicious act, ensuring ultimate security.

Matthew 6 20 Bonus section

This verse inherently defines what "true" treasure is from a divine perspective, contrasting it with the "false" and temporary treasures of the world. It directly links the actions of generosity, spiritual disciplines, and righteous living—which Jesus elaborated upon in Mt 6:1-18—to their ultimate, eternal reward. The concept of "storing up" implies a continuous process and a disciplined lifestyle, not a single act. The assurance of preservation ("where neither moth nor rust destroys... thieves do not break in and steal") emphasizes God's sovereign protection over what belongs to His eternal kingdom, providing unparalleled security and an unwavering promise of eternal return for faithful stewardship of our lives and resources. This teaching fosters not only financial freedom but also freedom from anxiety, as reliance is shifted from volatile worldly systems to the immutable will and care of God.

Matthew 6 20 Commentary

Matthew 6:20 presents a pivotal teaching from Jesus on the radical reorientation of values. Following the negative injunction to not store earthly treasures in Mt 6:19, this verse offers the positive command: "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven." This is not a call to poverty, but to spiritual investment. It underscores the futility of chasing temporal securities that are vulnerable to natural entropy and human maliciousness. The phrase "in heaven" signifies a sphere of complete security and permanence, guaranteeing that what is stored there cannot be eroded by time (moth, rust) nor plundered by external forces (thieves).

Heavenly treasures refer to anything done on earth motivated by pure love for God and others, aligning with God's will and for the advancement of His Kingdom. This includes acts of compassion, justice, evangelism, generous giving (especially when unseen), prayer, and devotion to God that involves personal sacrifice. These actions are not merely good deeds; they are investments of our lives, resources, and affections into an eternal realm, yielding an unfading reward that God Himself safeguards. This teaching encourages an eternal perspective that frees believers from the anxieties and consuming pursuits associated with material accumulation, redirecting their passion towards what truly lasts and satisfies. For instance, prioritizing charitable giving over personal luxury, dedicating time to prayer and spiritual growth over mere professional advancement, or choosing to serve others selflessly rather than seek recognition are all ways of storing treasure in heaven.