Luke 12:23
New International Version
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

New Living Translation
For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing.

English Standard Version
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Berean Standard Bible
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Berean Literal Bible
For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.

King James Bible
The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

New King James Version
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

New American Standard Bible
For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

NASB 1995
“For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

NASB 1977
“For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.

Legacy Standard Bible
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Amplified Bible
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Christian Standard Bible
For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

American Standard Version
For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.

Contemporary English Version
Life is more than food or clothing.

English Revised Version
For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.

Good News Translation
Life is much more important than food, and the body much more important than clothes.

International Standard Version
because life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Majority Standard Bible
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

NET Bible
For there is more to life than food, and more to the body than clothing.

New Heart English Bible
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

Webster's Bible Translation
The life is more than food, and the body is more than raiment.

Weymouth New Testament
For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift than clothing.

World English Bible
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
life is more than nourishment, and the body than clothing.

Berean Literal Bible
For life is more than food, and the body than clothing.

Young's Literal Translation
the life is more than the nourishment, and the body than the clothing.

Smith's Literal Translation
The soul is more than food, and the body than clothing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The life is more than the meat, and the body is more than the raiment.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.

New American Bible
For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.

New Revised Standard Version
For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the life is much more important than food, and the body than clothing.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“For the soul is more important than food, and the body than clothing.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Life is a greater gift than food, and the body, than clothing.

Godbey New Testament
The soul is more than food, and the body more than raiment.

Haweis New Testament
The life is more than food, and the body than raiment.

Mace New Testament
the life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Weymouth New Testament
For life is a greater gift than food, and the body is a greater gift than clothing.

Worrell New Testament
for the soul is more than the food; and the body, than the clothing.

Worsley New Testament
the life is more than food, and the body than raiment.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Worry
22Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!…

Cross References
Matthew 6:25
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Matthew 6:31-33
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ / For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. / But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 10:31
So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

1 Timothy 6:8
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

Psalm 37:25
I once was young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread.

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Job 38:41
Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?

Genesis 1:29-30
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.


Treasury of Scripture

The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Genesis 19:17
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Job 1:12
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job 2:4,6
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life…

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Body Clothes Clothing Food Gift Greater Life Meat Nourishment Raiment
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.














For life
The Greek word for "life" here is "ψυχή" (psyche), which can refer to the soul, the breath of life, or the essence of a person. In the biblical context, it often signifies the eternal aspect of human existence, transcending mere physical survival. This word reminds us that our existence is not limited to the material world but is deeply rooted in our spiritual relationship with God. The emphasis on "life" here calls believers to focus on their spiritual well-being and eternal destiny, rather than being consumed by temporal concerns.

is more than food
The phrase "more than food" challenges the reader to consider the priorities in life. In the ancient world, food was a daily concern, often scarce and hard-earned. The Greek word for "food" is "βρῶσις" (brosis), which refers to the act of eating or the food itself. Jesus is teaching that while food is necessary for physical survival, it should not dominate our thoughts or dictate our actions. This echoes the teaching in Matthew 4:4, where Jesus says, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." It is a call to seek sustenance from spiritual nourishment, which is found in God's Word and presence.

and the body
The term "body" in Greek is "σῶμα" (soma), which refers to the physical body. In the biblical context, the body is seen as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and thus it holds significant value. However, Jesus is emphasizing that while the body is important, it should not be the primary focus of our lives. The body is a vessel for serving God and others, and its true worth is found in how it is used for God's glory.

more than clothes
The Greek word for "clothes" is "ἐνδύματα" (endymata), which refers to garments or clothing. In the historical context, clothing was a symbol of status and identity, often indicating one's social position or wealth. Jesus is teaching that our identity and worth are not determined by our outward appearance or material possessions. This is a call to humility and simplicity, encouraging believers to find their identity in Christ rather than in external adornments. It aligns with the teaching in 1 Peter 3:3-4, which emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over outward appearance.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
For
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

life
ψυχὴ (psychē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5590: From psucho; breath, i.e. spirit, abstractly or concretely.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

more than
πλεῖόν (pleion)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative
Strong's 4119: Or neuter pleion, or pleon comparative of polus; more in quantity, number, or quality; also the major portion.

food,
τροφῆς (trophēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 5160: Food, nourishment, maintenance. From trepho; nourishment; by implication, rations.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

body
σῶμα (sōma)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

[more] than
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

clothes.
ἐνδύματος (endymatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 1742: A garment, raiment, clothing. From enduo; apparel.


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Luke 12:22
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