The Meaning of Luke 12:26 Explained

Luke 12:26

KJV: If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

YLT: If, then, ye are not able for the least -- why for the rest are ye anxious?

Darby: If therefore ye cannot do even what is least, why are ye careful about the rest?

ASV: If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

If  ye then  be  not  able to do  that thing which is least,  why  take ye thought  for  the rest? 

What does Luke 12:26 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Jesus drew the conclusion by arguing from the lesser to the greater again. If it is futile to worry about small matters that lie outside our control, it is even more foolish to worry about larger matters that lie even farther outside our control. [1] The smaller matters include living longer and the larger include all of life and its needs.

Context Summary

Luke 12:22-34 - The Cure For Anxious Care
Notice this contrast between two kinds of men: the one cares for himself, is anxious for this life, worries about food and clothes and standing a cubit higher in the estimate of his fellows; the other is content to fill the niche and do the work assigned him by the Father. And he performs his life-task, not for the remuneration it will bring, but for the "well-done" of God-sure that all which is needed, whether for his soul or body, will be provided by Him who gave him being. The Father knows thy varied need, trust Him!
Do not think of God as grudging! It is your Father's good pleasure to give. Nothing delights Him more than to be able to "give good things to them that ask Him." For Him also "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Remember that the best investments are those we store, not in banks, etc., but in the lives of others: for God Himself guarantees the interest. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 12

1  Jesus preaches to his apostles to avoid hypocrisy
13  and warns against covetousness, by the parable of the man who set up greater barns
22  We must not worry about earthly things,
31  but seek the kingdom of God;
33  give alms;
35  be ready at a knock to open to our Lord whensoever he comes
41  Jesus' disciples are to see to their charges,
49  and look for persecution
54  The people must take this time of grace;
57  because it is a fearful thing to die without reconciliation

Greek Commentary for Luke 12:26

Not able to do even that which is least [ουδε ελαχιστον δυναστε]
Negative ουδε — oude in the condition of the first class. Elative superlative, very small. This verse not in Matthew and omitted in D. Luke 12:27 as in Matthew 6:28, save that the verbs for toil and spin are plural in Matthew and singular here (neuter plural subject, τα κρινα — ta krina). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 12:26

Luke 10:41 Art anxious [μεριμναις]
An old verb for worry and anxiety from μεριζω — merizō (μερις — meris part) to be divided, distracted. Jesus had warned against this in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25, Matthew 6:28, Matthew 6:31, Matthew 6:34. See also Luke 12:11, Luke 12:22, Luke 12:26). [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 12:26 mean?

If then not even [the] least you are able [to do] why about the rest are you anxious
εἰ οὖν οὐδὲ ἐλάχιστον δύνασθε τί περὶ τῶν λοιπῶν μεριμνᾶτε

οὐδὲ  not  even 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
ἐλάχιστον  [the]  least 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular, Superlative
Root: ἐλάχιστος  
Sense: smallest least.
δύνασθε  you  are  able  [to  do] 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: δύναμαι  
Sense: to be able, have power whether by virtue of one’s own ability and resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable circumstances, or by permission of law or custom.
τί  why 
Parse: Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: τίς  
Sense: who, which, what.
περὶ  about 
Parse: Preposition
Root: περί 
Sense: about, concerning, on account of, because of, around, near.
λοιπῶν  rest 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Plural
Root: λοιπός  
Sense: remaining, the rest.
μεριμνᾶτε  are  you  anxious 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: μεριμνάω  
Sense: to be anxious.

What are the major concepts related to Luke 12:26?

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