Luke 12:27
New International Version
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

New Living Translation
“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

English Standard Version
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Berean Standard Bible
Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

Berean Literal Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow: They do not labor, nor do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.

King James Bible
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

New King James Version
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

New American Standard Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither labor nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

NASB 1995
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

NASB 1977
“Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these.

Legacy Standard Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

Amplified Bible
Consider the lilies and wildflowers, how they grow [in the open field]. They neither labor nor spin [wool to make clothing]; yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these.

Christian Standard Bible
“Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!

American Standard Version
Consider 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.

Contemporary English Version
Look how the wild flowers grow! They don't work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you Solomon with all his wealth wasn't as well clothed as one of these flowers.

English Revised Version
Consider 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Consider how the flowers grow. They never work or spin yarn for clothes. But I say that not even Solomon in all his majesty was dressed like one of these flowers.

Good News Translation
Look how the wild flowers grow: they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers.

International Standard Version
Consider how the lilies grow. They don't work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.

Majority Standard Bible
Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

NET Bible
Consider how the flowers grow; they do not work or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these!

New Heart English Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow. They do not toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Webster's Bible Translation
Consider the lilies how they grow: They toil not, they spin not; and yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Weymouth New Testament
Observe the lilies, how they grow. They neither labour nor spin. And yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was as beautifully dressed as one of these.

World English Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Consider the lilies, how do they grow? They do not labor, nor do they spin, and I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these;

Berean Literal Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow: They do not labor, nor do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these.

Young's Literal Translation
'Consider the lilies, how do they grow? they labour not, nor do they spin, and I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these;

Smith's Literal Translation
Consider the white lilies, how they grow; they are not wearied, neither do they spin; and I say to you, neither was Solomon in all his glory clothed as one of these.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Consider the lilies, how they grow. They neither work nor weave. But I say to you, not even Solomon, in all his glory, was clothed like one of these.

New American Bible
Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them.

New Revised Standard Version
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Observe the flowers, how they grow; for they do not toil nor do they spin; but I say to you, that not even Solomon with all his glory was covered like one of these.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“Consider the lilies how they grow, that they do not labor neither do they weave, but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was robed like one of these.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Consider the lilies, how they grow. They toil not, they spin not; yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.

Godbey New Testament
Observe the lilies, how they toil not, neither do they spin: and I say unto you, That Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed as one of these.

Haweis New Testament
Observe the lillies how they grow up, they toil not, nor spin; but I tell you, that Solomon in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

Mace New Testament
consider the lillys how they grow: they neither toil nor spin: and yet, I tell you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Weymouth New Testament
Observe the lilies, how they grow. They neither labour nor spin. And yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was as beautifully dressed as one of these.

Worrell New Testament
Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and I say to you, even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed as one of these!

Worsley New Testament
Consider the lilies, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I tell you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Do Not Worry
26So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!…

Cross References
Matthew 6:28-30
And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. / Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. / If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

1 Kings 10:4-7
When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, / the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. / She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. ...

2 Chronicles 9:3-6
When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, / the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. / She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. ...

Song of Solomon 2:1
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valley.

Isaiah 28:1
Woe to the majestic crown of Ephraim’s drunkards, to the fading flower of his glorious splendor, set on the summit above the fertile valley, the pride of those overcome by wine.

Isaiah 40:6-8
A voice says, “Cry out!” And I asked, “What should I cry out?” “All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. / The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Isaiah 61:10
I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Hosea 14:5-6
I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. / His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.

Job 40:10
Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.

Psalm 103:15-16
As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field; / when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.

Psalm 104:24
How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

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

Ecclesiastes 2:11
Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.


Treasury of Scripture

Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say to you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

the lilies.

Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Matthew 6:28-30
And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: …

James 1:10,11
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away…

that.

1 Kings 10:1-13
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions…

2 Chronicles 9:1-12
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart…

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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.














Consider how the lilies grow
The word "consider" invites a deep reflection and observation, urging believers to pause and contemplate the natural world as a testament to God's provision and care. The Greek word used here, "κατανοήσατε" (katanoēsate), implies a thorough understanding or perception. The lilies, often identified as wildflowers in the region of Galilee, symbolize beauty and simplicity. In a historical context, these flowers would have been a common sight, reminding Jesus' audience of the effortless beauty in God's creation, which thrives without human intervention.

They do not labor or spin
This phrase emphasizes the effortless existence of the lilies. The Greek words "κοπιάω" (kopiaō) for labor and "νέω" (neō) for spin suggest toil and human effort. In ancient times, spinning was a labor-intensive task primarily undertaken by women to produce clothing. By highlighting that lilies do not engage in such activities, Jesus underscores the contrast between human anxiety over provision and the natural, untroubled growth of the lilies, which rely solely on God's providence.

Yet I tell you
This phrase introduces a statement of authority and truth. Jesus, as the divine teacher, assures His listeners of the reliability and significance of His words. The Greek "λέγω" (legō) is a common term for speaking, but in this context, it carries the weight of divine revelation, urging the audience to trust in the truth being conveyed.

not even Solomon in all his glory
Solomon, the son of David, was renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the splendor of his kingdom, as described in 1 Kings 10. His glory, "δόξα" (doxa) in Greek, represents human achievement and opulence at its peak. By comparing Solomon's grandeur to the simple beauty of the lilies, Jesus highlights the superiority of God's creation over human accomplishments. This comparison would resonate deeply with a Jewish audience familiar with Solomon's legacy.

was adorned like one of these
The word "adorned," from the Greek "περιβάλλω" (periballō), means to be clothed or dressed. This imagery suggests that the lilies, in their natural state, possess a beauty that surpasses even the finest human attire. The use of "one of these" emphasizes the individual beauty of each lily, pointing to God's intimate care and attention to detail in creation. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to provide for His creation, encouraging believers to trust in His provision for their own needs.

(27-31) Consider the lilies how they grow.--See Notes on Matthew 6:28-33. There are, however, some noticeable variations, as (1) in Luke 12:27, in the better MSS., they spin not, they weave not; (2) the use in Luke 12:29 of a new verb, "Neither be ye of doubtful mind." The word is not found elsewhere in the New Testament, and is so far characteristic of St. Luke's special culture. But its etymology and its classical use make it equivalent to "Be not tossed to and fro like a ship out on the open sea;" and so taken, it presents a parallel to St. James's description of the "man that wavereth," as "like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed" (James 1:6).



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Consider
Κατανοήσατε (Katanoēsate)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 2657: To take note of, perceive, consider carefully, discern, detect, make account of. From kata and noieo; to observe fully.

how
πῶς (pōs)
Adverb
Strong's 4459: Adverb from the base of pou; an interrogative particle of manner; in what way?; also as exclamation, how much!

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

lilies
κρίνα (krina)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2918: A lily growing wild, variously identified with the red anemone, the whole lily, the sword lily. Perhaps a prim word; a lily.

grow:
αὐξάνει (auxanei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 837: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.

They do not labor
κοπιᾷ (kopia)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2872: From a derivative of kopos; to feel fatigue; by implication, to work hard.

[or]
οὐδὲ (oude)
Conjunction
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

spin.
νήθει (nēthei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3514: To spin. From neo; to spin.

Yet
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

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

not even
οὐδὲ (oude)
Adverb
Strong's 3761: Neither, nor, not even, and not. From ou and de; not however, i.e. Neither, nor, not even.

Solomon
Σολομὼν (Solomōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4672: Solomon, son of David King of Israel, and Bathsheba. Of Hebrew origin; Solomon, the son of David.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

all
πάσῃ (pasē)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

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.

glory
δόξῃ (doxē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391: From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.

was adorned
περιεβάλετο (periebaleto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4016: From peri and ballo; to throw all around, i.e. Invest.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

one
ἓν (hen)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of these.
τούτων (toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.


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NT Gospels: Luke 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 12:26
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