Luke 12:22 Context
The Gospel of Luke was written by one of Jesus’ disciples, Luke, to a man named Theophilus.
Scholars debate whether Theophilus, which means “friend of God,” was a living person or if Luke was writing to a pen name with the hope of reaching all Christians.
In either case, the Gospel of Luke offers a detailed and warm retelling of the works of Jesus and includes more parables than any other Gospel.
“Then Jesus Said To His Disciples, Do Not Worry About Your Life”
Through Luke’s writing, we see Jesus’ insistence that the gospel is for everyone—Jews and Gentiles, rich and poor, male and female—and how it is truly good news for those who belong to God.
Read and Learn More 100 Bible Verses To Overcome Worry and Anxiety
Luke 12:22 Meaning
Jesus spoke to his disciples about worry after telling the parable of the rich fool, who stored up wealth in his barns for safekeeping.
The same fear that caused the rich man to hoard his wealth is the same fear Jesus’ disciples may have faced—the fear of not having enough.
The disciples probably realized at this point that following Jesus wasn’t safe, and it wouldn’t look at all like what their world considered comfortable, let alone successful.
The disciples aren’t pursuing material things—they’ve committed their lives to pursuing Jesus, their Rabbi.
Bible Verses About Worry And Trust In God
And because they’re committed to knowing, learning from, and following Jesus, Jesus himself offers reassurance that God knows and sees their real, practical needs: food, water, shelter, and clothing.
Jesus’ command to not worry about physical needs is rooted in trust. Instead of chastising them for their anxiety, Jesus understands and reassures them that God sees them.
God sees them, and they can trust him. In later verses, Jesus offers tangible reminders of all the other creatures God provides for: the birds and the lilies, and the natural world.
Luke 12:22 Application
God knows you’re doing your best to follow him, and sometimes this means making decisions that aren’t focused on financial savvy or material gain.
When worry and fear about not having enough arise, it’s okay to be honest with God. He sees all your needs, right down to the most mundane ones.
Take a moment to reflect on all the ways God has provided for you in the past.
By doing something tangible with your worry—making a list of things you’re thankful for, or going on a walk and noting plants and animals—you can refocus your mind on what’s true.
Jesus Teaching On Anxiety (Luke 12:22-25)
If the God of heaven can care for lilies and birds so beautifully, surely the needs of your life are in good hands.
Luke’s Gospel shows us that believers can be assured that a God who cares about them will also care about their needs—especially their most basic ones—and hear their requests.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”