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Luke 12:25

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 12:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
Luke 12:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Be not anxious for [your] life, what ye shall eat; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
23For the life is more than the food, and the body than the raiment.
24Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
25And which of you by being anxious can add a cubit unto the measure of his life?
26If then ye are not able to do even that which is least, why are ye anxious concerning the rest?
27Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
28But if God doth so clothe the grass in the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [shall he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?
← Luke 12:24Luke 12:26 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And which of you with taking thought, etc.] In an anxious and distressing manner, for food and raiment, in order to preserve and continue life, add to his stature one cubit? The Persic version reads, “to his stature and height”, as if this referred to the height of stature; whereas it seems rather to regard the age of a man, and the continuance of his life; (see Gill on “<400627>Matthew 6:27”).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“which of you, &c.--Corroding solicitude will not bring you the least of the things ye fret about, though it may double the evil of wanting them. And if not the least, why vex yourselves about things of more consequence?”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 6:25-33. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which of you can add the least measure - It seems, to add one cubit to a thing (which is the phrase in the original) was a kind of proverbial expression for making the least addition to it. Luke 12:28”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:25 add a single moment to your life (literally add a single cubit to his length): Worry cannot add even one step on the road of life.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Luk 19:3; Mat 5:36, Mat 6:27 Luke 12:26”
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Related study paths

Read Luke 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification