What Matthew 6:34 Means
Matthew 6:34
What Matthew 6:34 means
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Jesus frees us from borrowing tomorrow's worry; grace comes one day at a time.
Jesus gives a direct remedy for anxiety about the future: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." In older English "take no thought" means do not be anxious or consumed with worry, not that you should never plan wisely. The idea is that tomorrow will have its own concerns, and today already carries enough of its own troubles, so borrowing worry from the future only doubles your burden. Jesus has just told His hearers to seek first God's kingdom, trusting that their heavenly Father knows their needs. The verse frees you to live one day at a time under the care of a Father who feeds the birds and clothes the grass. It is an invitation to trade fear about the unknown for trust in the God who holds it.
Matthew 6:34 in different translations
Understanding Matthew 6:34
This is the closing line of a longer teaching on worry within the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6:25 through 34, spoken by Jesus to His disciples and the surrounding crowds in Galilee. Just before it, Jesus points to the birds that neither sow nor reap yet are fed, and the lilies that neither toil nor spin yet are clothed, arguing from the lesser to the greater that God will surely care for His people. Verse 33 gives the central command, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," and verse 34 applies it to the anxiety we feel about the future. The whole section addresses the pull of material worry and calls hearers to a life reordered around God rather than around fear.
A common misreading takes this verse as an excuse for laziness or recklessness, as if Jesus forbids saving, planning, or preparing for tomorrow. Scripture elsewhere commends the ant that stores in summer and the prudent man who foresees trouble, so this is not a ban on responsibility; the phrase "take no thought" targets anxious, faithless worry, not diligent foresight. The verse leads to Christ because the only ground for such peace is a trustworthy Father, and Jesus is the one who reveals and secures that Fatherhood for us. He would later carry every burden Himself, even bearing our sins, and invite the weary to come to Him for rest. To stop worrying about tomorrow is finally possible only because tomorrow belongs to the One who gave His Son for us today.
Matthew 6:34 in context
A prayer
Questions people ask
What does Matthew 6:34 mean in simple terms?
It means do not let worry about the future crush you, because tomorrow will bring its own concerns and today already has enough. Live one day at a time, trusting God to provide. It is a call to peace, not carelessness.
What does "take no thought" mean?
In the older English of the King James Version, "take no thought" means do not be anxious or worried, not do not think at all. Jesus is addressing the fear and mental burden of worry. He is not forbidding wise planning.
Who said this and to whom?
Jesus said it during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching His disciples with the crowds listening. It closes His teaching on anxiety about food, clothing, and daily needs. He speaks as one inviting people to trust their heavenly Father.
Is Matthew 6:34 in the Old or New Testament?
It is in the New Testament, in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6. It is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew records the teachings of Jesus.
Does this verse mean I should not plan for the future?
No. Other Scriptures praise saving and preparing, like the ant storing food in summer. This verse addresses anxious worry, not responsible planning. You can plan wisely while refusing to be consumed by fear.
How do I apply this when I am anxious about the future?
Bring your concerns to God, remember the command in verse 33 to seek His kingdom first, and deal with today's tasks rather than tomorrow's imagined troubles. Trust that the Father who cares for the birds cares far more for you. Take the future one day at a time in His hands.
What does "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" mean?
It means each day has enough trouble of its own, so there is no need to add tomorrow's worries to today's. Face today's challenges today, and let tomorrow's be met when they come. It is a gentle reminder not to multiply your burdens by fearing ahead.
Let this verse become part of your life
Read it in the app, keep it, and let it lead you to Christ.
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