Take no thought (μὴ μεριμνᾶτε)

The cognate noun is μέριμνα, care, which was formerly derived from μερίς, a part; μερίζω, to divide; and was explained accordingly as a dividing care, distracting the heart from the true object of life, This has been abandoned, however, and the word is placed in a group which carries the common notion of earnest thoughtfulness. It may include the ideas of worry and anxiety, and may emphasize these, but not necessarily. See, for example, "careth for the things of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 7:32). "That the members should have the same care one for another" (1 Corinthians 12:25). "Who will care for your state?" (Philippians 2:20). In all these the sense of worry would be entirely out of place. In other cases that idea is prominent, as, "the care of this world," which chokes the good seed (Matthew 13:22; compare Luke 8:14). Of Martha; "Thou art careful" (Luke 10:41). Take thought, in this passage, was a truthful rendering when the A. V. was made, since thought was then used as equivalent to anxiety or solicitude. So Shakspeare ("Hamlet"):

"The native hue of resolution

Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought."

And Bacon (Henry VII.): "Hawis, an alderman of London, was put in trouble, and died with thought and anguish." Somers' "Tracts" (in Queen Elizabeth's reign): "Queen Catherine Parr died rather of thought."

The word has entirely lost this meaning. Bishop Lightfoot ("On a Fresh Revision of the New Testament") says: "I have heard of a political economist alleging this passage as an objection to the moral teaching of the sermon on the mount, on the ground that it encouraged, nay, commanded, a reckless neglect of the future." It is uneasiness and worry about the future which our Lord condemns here, and therefore Rev. rightly translates be not anxious. This phase of the word is forcibly brought out in 1 Peter 5:7, where the A. V. ignores the distinction between the two kinds of care. "Casting all your care (μέριμναν, Rev., anxiety) upon Him, for He careth (αὐτῷ μέλει) for you," with a fatherly, tender, and provident care."

Matthew 6:25 Parallel Commentaries

I say.

Matthew 5:22-28 But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment...

Luke 12:4,5,8,9,22 And I say to you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do...

Take.

Matthew 6:31,34 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed...

Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak...

Matthew 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches...

Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Mark 4:19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word...

Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what you shall speak, neither do you premeditate...

Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth...

Luke 10:40,41 But Martha was encumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord...

Luke 12:22,23,25,26,29 And he said to his disciples, Therefore I say to you, Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat; neither for the body...

1 Corinthians 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord...

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

2 Timothy 2:4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

Hebrews 13:5,6 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you...

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.

Is not.

Luke 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?