Luke 12:25
New International Version
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?

New Living Translation
Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

English Standard Version
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

Berean Standard Bible
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Berean Literal Bible
And which of you, being anxious, is able to add one hour to his lifespan?

King James Bible
And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

New King James Version
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

New American Standard Bible
And which of you by worrying can add a day to his life’s span?

NASB 1995
“And which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?

NASB 1977
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single cubit to his life’s span?

Legacy Standard Bible
And which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life span?

Amplified Bible
And which of you by worrying can add one hour to his life’s span?

Christian Standard Bible
Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Can any of you add a cubit to his height by worrying?

American Standard Version
And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?

Contemporary English Version
Can worry make you live longer?

English Revised Version
And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto his stature?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Can any of you add an hour to your life by worrying?

Good News Translation
Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying about it?

International Standard Version
Can any of you add an hour to the length of your life by worrying?

Majority Standard Bible
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

NET Bible
And which of you by worrying can add an hour to his life?

New Heart English Bible
Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?

Webster's Bible Translation
And which of you by solicitude can add to his stature one cubit?

Weymouth New Testament
And which of you is able by anxious thought to add a moment to his life?

World English Bible
Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?

Berean Literal Bible
And which of you, being anxious, is able to add one hour to his lifespan?

Young's Literal Translation
and who of you, being anxious, is able to add to his age one cubit?

Smith's Literal Translation
And which of you having anxiety can add to his size one cubit?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And which of you, by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But which of you, by thinking, is able to add one cubit to his stature?

New American Bible
Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your life-span?

New Revised Standard Version
And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who is among you, who by worrying, can add to his stature one cubit?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Which of you by taking pains can add one cubit to his height?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
"Which of you, by his anxiety, can add one span to his life?

Godbey New Testament
And which one of you being solicitous is able to add one moment to his existence?

Haweis New Testament
Which of you, with all his anxiety, can add one moment to his life?

Mace New Testament
but which of you, with all his disquietude, can add one moment to the period of his life?

Weymouth New Testament
And which of you is able by anxious thought to add a moment to his life?

Worrell New Testament
"And who of you, by being anxious, can add one cubit to his stature?

Worsley New Testament
And which of you by all his thought can add one moment to his life?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Worry
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! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? 26So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?…

Cross References
Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

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.

Psalm 39:5-6
You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah / Surely every man goes about like a phantom; surely he bustles in vain; he heaps up riches not knowing who will haul them away.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Ecclesiastes 3:14
I know that everything God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God does it so that they should fear Him.

Job 14:5
Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,

Matthew 6:25-26
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? / Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

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

Psalm 127:2
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved.

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. / Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.”

Isaiah 40:29-31
He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. / So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.


Treasury of Scripture

And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

Luke 19:3
And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.

Matthew 5:36
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Matthew 6:27
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

Jump to Previous
Able Add Age Anxious Careful Cubit Height Hour Life Measure Moment Single Solicitude Span Stature Taller Thought Worrying
Jump to Next
Able Add Age Anxious Careful Cubit Height Hour Life Measure Moment Single Solicitude Span Stature Taller Thought Worrying
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.














Who of you
This phrase invites personal reflection and introspection. In the original Greek, "τίς ἐξ ὑμῶν" (tis ex hymōn) directly addresses the audience, making the question personal and immediate. It challenges each listener to consider their own life and actions. Historically, Jesus often used questions to provoke thought and self-examination among His followers, encouraging them to look inward and assess their faith and trust in God.

by worrying
The Greek word used here is "μεριμνῶν" (merimnōn), which conveys the idea of being anxious or overly concerned. In the cultural context of the time, life was fraught with uncertainties, much like today. Jesus addresses the common human tendency to worry about the future, emphasizing that such anxiety is ultimately unproductive. From a scriptural standpoint, this aligns with other biblical teachings that encourage believers to cast their cares upon God (1 Peter 5:7) and trust in His provision.

can add
The verb "δύναται" (dynatai) implies capability or power. Jesus is pointing out the futility of worry by highlighting that it lacks the power to effect change. This serves as a reminder of human limitations and the sovereignty of God. In a broader biblical context, it underscores the belief that true power and control over life belong to God alone, and not to human efforts or anxieties.

a single hour
The phrase "ἡλικίαν μίαν πῆχυν" (hēlikian mian pēchyn) is often translated as "a single cubit to his stature" in other versions, but here it is rendered as "a single hour to his lifespan." This reflects the idea of adding a small, measurable amount to one's life. The use of "hour" emphasizes the preciousness and brevity of time, reminding believers that life is fleeting and should be entrusted to God's care rather than consumed by worry.

to his lifespan
The term "ζωῇ" (zōē) refers to life in its fullest sense, encompassing both physical existence and spiritual vitality. In the biblical narrative, life is a gift from God, and its duration is determined by Him. This phrase reinforces the teaching that human efforts, such as worrying, cannot alter God's divine plan for our lives. It encourages believers to focus on living faithfully and trusting in God's timing and purpose.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

of
ἐξ (ex)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

you
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

by worrying
μεριμνῶν (merimnōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3309: To be over-anxious; with acc: To be anxious about, distracted; I care for. From merimna; to be anxious about.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

add
προσθεῖναι (prostheinai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4369: To place (put) to, add; I do again. From pros and tithemi; to place additionally, i.e. Lay beside, annex, repeat.

a single hour
πῆχυν (pēchyn)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4083: A cubit, about a foot and a half. Of uncertain affinity; the fore-arm, i.e. a cubit.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

lifespan?
ἡλικίαν (hēlikian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2244: Age, term of life; full age, maturity; stature. From the same as helikos; maturity.


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NT Gospels: Luke 12:25 Which of you by being anxious can (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 12:24
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