Luke 12:25

Did Jesus have age or stature in mind when He made this comparison? The NASB translators have rendered the Greek pechys as "cubit" and helikia as "life’s span" interpreting Jesus’ statement as a metaphor describing age. The NIV translators translated pechys as "hour" and helikia as "life." Both translations present Jesus speaking about the lengthening of life, not stature. This is understandable in view of Luke 12:19-20. The rich fool could not extend his life. However pechys means "cubit." It is a measure of distance rather than time. Probably Jesus used it metaphorically to refer to the least possible length of increase (cf. Psalms 39:5). The idea of wanting to increase one’s height by 18 inches is ludicrous if taken literally. Hardly anyone would want to do that, though most people would like to lengthen their lives a little.

Jesus’ point was that worry cannot prolong life any more than it can provide for life (Luke 12:24). Worry can really reduce one’s life span.