Luke 12:31

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

12:22-40 Christ largely insisted upon this caution not to give way to disquieting, perplexing cares, Mt 6:25-34. The arguments here used are for our encouragement to cast our care upon God, which is the right way to get ease. As in our stature, so in our state, it is our wisdom to take it as it is. An eager, anxious pursuit of the things of this world, even necessary things, ill becomes the disciples of Christ. Fears must not prevail; when we frighten ourselves with thoughts of evil to come, and put ourselves upon needless cares how to avoid it. If we value the beauty of holiness, we shall not crave the luxuries of life. Let us then examine whether we belong to this little flock. Christ is our Master, and we are his servants; not only working servants, but waiting servants. We must be as men that wait for their lord, that sit up while he stays out late, to be ready to receive him. In this Christ alluded to his own ascension to heaven, his coming to call his people to him by death, and his return to judge the world. We are uncertain as to the time of his coming to us, we should therefore be always ready. If men thus take care of their houses, let us be thus wise for our souls. Be ye therefore ready also; as ready as the good man of the house would be, if he knew at what hour the thief would come.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 6:25-33.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

29. of doubtful, &c.—unsettled mind; put off your balance.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Matthew saith, seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added, &c. The particle plhn prefixed here to zhteite, (which we translate rather seek), doth expound Matthew’s prwton, seek first, and likewise expounds our Saviour’s meaning, when he said. Take no thought, what ye should eat, &c.; that is, let not those be your only or principal thoughts, quin etiam, tantum maxime, but also, and mostly, or chiefly,

seek ye the kingdom of God, that kingdom mentioned in the next verse,

and all these things shall be added to you; either an affluence of them; or a sufficiency of them, with a contented, satisfied mind. See Poole on "Matthew 6:33".

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God,.... The Vulgate Latin version adds, "first", as also, "and his righteousness", as in Matthew 6:33 and the Ethiopic version reads, "seek his kingdom and righteousness" meaning either the grace of God, which is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, Romans 14:17 or the heavenly glory; unless the Gospel, and the dispensation of it, which is the Messiah's kingdom, and which was then just ushering in, should rather be intended.

And all these things shall be added unto you; food and raiment, which are as much as can be enjoyed; and godliness with these, and contentment with them, is great gain; See Gill on Matthew 6:33.

Geneva Study Bible

{8} But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(8) They will lack nothing who are diligent for the kingdom of heaven.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Expositor's Greek Testament

Luke 12:31. πλὴν, much rather (Schanz, Hahn).—ζητεῖτε, etc.: In his version of this great word of Jesus Lk. omits πρῶτον and τὴν δικαιοσύνην, so that it takes this simple and absolute form: seek His (the Father’s) kingdom: very probably the original form. As temporal things are added (προστεθήσεται) they do not need to be sought. Mt.’s final word about not caring for to-morrow Lk. omits, either deeming it superfluous, or giving what follows as a substitute.

Luke 12:31