Matthew 6 33

Matthew 6:33 kjv

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33 nkjv

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 niv

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33 esv

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33 nlt

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6 verses

Matthew 6 33 Meaning

Matthew 6:33 calls believers to make the diligent pursuit of God's sovereign reign and His perfect moral character their supreme priority in life. By wholeheartedly seeking His divine will and Kingdom above all earthly concerns, followers of Christ are assured that God will faithfully provide all their necessary daily provisions for life, eliminating the need for worldly anxiety.

Matthew 6 33 Context

Matthew 6:33 forms the powerful climax of Jesus' teaching on materialism and anxiety within the broader Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). The preceding verses (6:19-24) establish the folly of accumulating earthly treasures and the impossibility of serving both God and money. Immediately prior to verse 33 (6:25-32), Jesus directly confronts common human anxieties about daily necessities such as food, drink, and clothing. He provides comforting assurances, referencing God's meticulous care for birds and lilies, and starkly contrasts the worried preoccupation of "Gentiles" (the non-believing world) with His disciples who have a heavenly Father who knows their needs. Thus, Matthew 6:33 delivers the core principle and liberating antidote: prioritize God's Kingdom and righteousness, and He will provide. The original audience, likely Jewish believers and seekers in a Galilean setting, would have deeply understood the daily struggle for sustenance. Jesus' words were revolutionary, calling them away from common pagan practices and prevailing human tendencies to rely instead on divine sovereignty and provision.

Matthew 6 33 Word analysis

• But (Gk. De): This conjunction serves as a strong contrasting connector, signifying a turn from the world's anxious pursuit of material things to a radical, divine alternative. It introduces a decisive counter-command.
• seek (Gk. zēteō): This verb, in the present imperative, commands a continuous, active, and diligent pursuit. It implies a conscious, determined effort to discover, strive for, and intensely desire something, similar to searching for a hidden treasure. It suggests profound intentionality and commitment.
• first (Gk. prōton): This adverb signifies supreme priority and preeminence, not merely chronological order. It indicates that the kingdom and righteousness of God should be of chief importance, holding the highest value and governing all other pursuits.
• His kingdom (Gk. tēn basileian autou): Refers to the sovereign rule of God, His active dominion and reign, not just a physical realm. It embodies God's authority being realized in the world and in the lives of His people. It is the sphere where His will is perfectly executed, encompassing both present spiritual reality and future consummation.
• and His righteousness (Gk. kai tēn dikaiosunēn autou): This refers both to God's intrinsic character—His perfect justice, holiness, and moral integrity—and the righteous standard He demands. It also encompasses the righteousness given by God through faith in Christ, and the righteous living that is the outflow of a regenerated heart. It signifies living in alignment with God's holy nature and perfect will.
• and all these things (Gk. kai tauta panta): This directly refers back to the material necessities (food, drink, clothing) mentioned in verses 6:25-32, about which Jesus instructed His followers not to worry. It includes the basic needs for sustenance and covering.
• will be added (Gk. prostethēsetai): This is a future passive verb, highlighting divine action. It indicates that the provision comes from God Himself, as a gracious bestowal, without human effort or worry to obtain it. It implies sufficiency rather than excess or worldly wealth.
• to you (Gk. humin): This addresses the disciples directly, and by extension, all who choose to follow Jesus' teaching and align their priorities with God's kingdom.

• "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness": This phrase serves as the revolutionary directive and cornerstone of a counter-cultural ethic. It redefines human aspiration, redirecting attention from temporal, self-serving ambitions to an ultimate pursuit of God's dominion and divine character. This "seeking" is an ongoing, earnest commitment to live under God's rule and conform to His standards.
• "His kingdom and His righteousness": These two concepts are intricately linked and inseparable. One cannot genuinely seek God's reign without simultaneously embracing and striving to live out His holy and just demands. God's kingdom embodies His righteous rule, and His righteousness is the very nature of that kingdom. To seek both implies pursuing God Himself, His will, and His way of living.
• "and all these things will be added to you": This phrase acts as the divine guarantee and promise for those who obey the radical command. It shifts the burden of material provision from human worry and effort to God's benevolent faithfulness. The promise is not for luxurious wealth but for the necessities of life (those "things" explicitly causing anxiety), assured as a loving overflow from a trusting relationship with God.

Matthew 6 33 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on "seeking first" suggests that an individual's primary passion and devotion dictate the trajectory of their life. For believers, this focus should be squarely on God and His dominion. This verse is fundamentally antithetical to the anxieties that characterized the surrounding "Gentile" (non-believing) cultures, promoting a distinctly Christian worldview rooted in divine sufficiency rather than human striving or fear. While "His righteousness" can encompass the imputed righteousness of Christ given by faith, in this immediate context of the Sermon on the Mount's ethical teachings, it prominently includes practical, ethical living in conformity to God's moral demands. The continuous nature of the verb "seek" (zēteō) reinforces that this re-prioritization is not a one-time event but a lifelong posture of the heart and mind.

Matthew 6 33 Commentary

Matthew 6:33 stands as a pivotal command in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, offering a liberating paradigm shift from worldly anxiety to divine dependency. It challenges the innate human tendency to prioritize material provision and security, instead urging a radical reorientation of life's purpose towards God's active rule (His Kingdom) and His character/will (His righteousness). This "seeking first" implies not just a preliminary step but an ultimate, continuous pursuit that shapes every decision and desire. It demands a deliberate commitment to live under God's sovereignty and to conform to His holy standards, whether in personal conduct, justice, or devotion. The powerful promise that "all these things will be added to you" assures believers that God, their loving Father, will faithfully supply their necessary daily provisions for those who trust Him wholly. This isn't a transactional bargain for material wealth, but a confident rest in God's providence that negates the need for worry, allowing the believer to invest their energy and passion into eternal purposes rather than perishable ones. It frees disciples to pursue godliness without the entanglement of materialistic fear.

For practical application:

• Prioritize spiritual disciplines: Before daily tasks, seek God in prayer, study, and meditation, inviting His kingdom to guide the day.
• Discern major decisions: When making choices about career, finances, or relationships, first ask: "How does this align with God's kingdom and righteousness?"
• Trust in daily needs: When worries about provision arise, actively surrender them to God, reminding yourself of His promise in this verse and redirecting your energy to serving Him.