Matthew 6:34 - Exposition

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for ,the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof . Matthew only. Luke's conclusion to this section ("Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom") is perhaps more closely connected with the preceding verse, and also grander as dwelling upon God's side; but Matthew's is more practical, dealing with the subject from man's side. Christ says, "Because all needful things shall be added, do not have one anxious thought for the future, even for what is coming on the very next day." Such anxiety shows a want of common sense, for each day brings its own burden of anxiety for itself. Christ here seems to allow anxiety for each day as it comes round. "But," he says, "put off your to-morrow's anxiety until to-morrow." If this be done, the greater part of all our anxiety is put aside at once, and, for the rest of it, the principle will apply to each hour as well as to each day (cf. Bengel). The Christian will ever try to follow the inspired advice of St. Paul ( Philippians 4:6 ) and St. Peter ( 1 Peter 5:7 ). The morrow shall take thought for ; "be anxious" as supra. The things of itself ; for itself (Revised Version); αὑτῆς . The unique construction of the genitive after μεριμνάω led to the insertion of τὰ by the copyists (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 ). Sufficient unto the day , etc.; Tyndale, "For the day present hath ever enough of his own trouble." Sufficient ( Matthew 10:25 , note).