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MATTHEW 6:31 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 6:30Matt 6:32
“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?”
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? The three anxiety questions — food, drink, clothing — are the basic provision questions that the Gentiles devote themselves to (verse 32). The therefore grounds the command in the preceding argument: given what the Father provides for birds and flowers, and given that you are more valuable than these, do not be anxious. The repetition of the three questions (from verse 25) bookends the anxiety section and emphasizes that the command is comprehensive: no anxiety about any of the basic provision needs.

Church Fathers on Matthew 6:31

Having thus expressly cut off all anxiety concerning food and raiment, by an argument drawn from observation of the inferior creation, He follows it up by a further prohibition; 'Be not ye therefore careful, saying, What shall we eat, what shall we drink, or wherewithal shall we be clothed?'

Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · non occ.

The Lord repeated this, that He might shew how highly necessary this precept is, and that He might inculcate it more strongly on our hearts.

Remigius · 9th century

It should be observed that He does not say, Do not ye seek, or be thoughtful for, food drink, and raiment, but 'what ye shall eat, what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed.' Wherein they seem to me to be convicted, who, using themselves the usual food and clothing, require of those with whom they live either greater sumptuousness, or greater austerity in both.

Rabanus Maurus · 9th century
Read all 15 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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