Matthew 6 29

Matthew 6:29 kjv

And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:29 nkjv

and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:29 niv

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Matthew 6:29 esv

yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:29 nlt

yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Matthew 6 verses

Matthew 6 29 Meaning

Matthew 6:29 asserts a profound truth about divine providence: that the inherent, divinely bestowed beauty and adornment of a simple wild flower surpasses the greatest splendor and magnificent array of King Solomon at the pinnacle of his earthly glory. It underscores God's meticulous care for His creation, even the fleeting and seemingly insignificant, thereby serving as an ultimate demonstration of God's capacity and intention to care for His human children, whom He values far more. The verse challenges human perceptions of worth and magnificence, placing natural, God-designed beauty above the grandest human achievements and material wealth.

Matthew 6 29 Context

Matthew 6:29 is nestled within Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount," specifically within the discourse on worry and materialism (Matthew 6:25-34). Preceding verses establish a contrast between earthly treasures and heavenly treasures, encouraging believers not to serve both God and money. Immediately before this verse, Jesus encourages His audience to "consider the lilies of the field" (Mt 6:28), using them as a powerful illustration of God's abundant provision and natural beauty that transcends human effort. The broader context highlights the values of the Kingdom of God, prioritizing spiritual matters, trust in divine provision, and detachment from worldly anxieties. For the original Jewish audience, King Solomon was the epitome of earthly wisdom, wealth, and glory (1 Kings 10:4-7). His temple, palace, and extensive riches were unparalleled. Therefore, Jesus' direct comparison and elevation of a common wildflower over Solomon's opulence would have been a startling and counter-cultural statement, directly challenging their perception of true glory and the sources of ultimate security. It also indirectly challenged the prevalent societal striving for material wealth and status as indicators of blessing.

Matthew 6 29 Word analysis

• But I say to you: This phrase introduces a divine, authoritative pronouncement from Jesus, often contrasting with traditional Jewish teachings or commonly held beliefs, asserting a new or deeper truth. It underscores His supreme authority as a teacher and prophet.
• that even Solomon: Solomōn (Greek: Σολομὼν). Solomon represents the peak of human kingly glory, wisdom, and wealth in Israel's history. The word "even" (Greek: oud' hot) highlights the extreme comparison – if anyone embodied unparalleled splendor, it was Solomon. This makes the subsequent contrast even more striking.
• in all his glory: en pasē tē doxē autou (Greek: ἐν πάσῃ τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ). Doxē means "glory, splendor, magnificence." This refers to Solomon's famed regal splendor, vast riches, ornate garments, and the magnificence of his court and temple. "All his glory" emphasizes the entirety of his impressive display.
• was not arrayed: ouk periebaleto (Greek: οὐκ περιεβάλετο). Periebaleto comes from periballo, meaning "to throw around, to put around, to clothe fully, to surround." It suggests a comprehensive adornment or enveloping. The negative "was not" starkly contrasts his lavish attire with the simple, yet profound, beauty of the lily.
• like one of these: Refers directly to "the lilies of the field" mentioned in Matthew 6:28. The "these" indicates a simple, ordinary wildflower. This highlights the unexpected comparison between human-made grandeur and natural, God-given beauty.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But I say to you that even Solomon": This powerfully sets up a monumental contrast. Jesus introduces Himself as the ultimate authority, then selects the epitome of earthly grandeur – King Solomon – as the benchmark for His profound comparison. It suggests that even the highest human achievement pales in comparison to divine action.
• "in all his glory was not arrayed": This phrase encapsulates the inadequacy of human splendor. Despite Solomon's unsurpassed magnificence, wealth, and effort in clothing himself and his surroundings, it still falls short when measured against a different, higher standard. It's a statement about human limitation in true adornment.
• "like one of these": This refers back to the lilies, highlighting that the effortless, transient beauty of a humble wildflower, adorned by God alone, utterly surpasses the peak of human kingly display. It redirects the audience's perception of true value and magnificence from human artifice to divine design and provision.

Matthew 6 29 Bonus section

This verse contains an indirect polemic against a prevailing worldview that measured blessing and favor by external displays of wealth and opulence, a view often associated with the Pharisees and many Jewish leaders of the time. By elevating a common wildflower's God-given beauty above Solomon's magnificent attire, Jesus was dismantling the idea that human efforts or accumulation of riches signify greater blessing or true glory. The "lilies of the field" were likely generic wildflowers or possibly specific, prominent examples like scarlet anemones or gladioli, known for their vibrant, short-lived beauty. Their ephemeral nature further underscores that God's meticulous care extends even to what is temporary and humble, providing a greater guarantee of His sustained care for humans who are eternal. This teaching asserts that true splendor is a gift of God's creation and sustenance, not a product of human striving or earthly possessions.

Matthew 6 29 Commentary

Matthew 6:29 serves as a cornerstone in Jesus' teaching on divine providence and trust in God. By pitting King Solomon, the zenith of worldly glory, against a simple lily, Jesus masterfully reveals the immeasurable superiority of God's care and design over any human achievement or display. Solomon's glory, despite its grandeur, was a product of human effort, wealth, and temporary dominion. The lily's beauty, however, is a direct, effortless emanation of God's creative power and inherent design. This comparison isn't about shaming Solomon, but rather redirecting human anxieties and aspirations. If God so meticulously clothes the transient flora with such breathtaking beauty, how much more will He clothe, sustain, and care for humanity, His image-bearers, whom He values infinitely more? The verse dismantles the illusion that human wealth, status, or meticulous planning can provide true security or glory, inviting a radical trust in a God who adorns a wildflower more splendidly than a king. It is a profound call to humility, urging contentment with God's provision and a shift in focus from fleeting earthly grandeur to the eternal, divinely given life.