Lukas 12:23

23 For the neshamah is more than okhel and the basar more than gartel (belt) and shtreimel (expensive hat). BERESHIS 47:18; TEHILLIM 16:9 10; IYOV 19:2527, YESHAYAH 53:11

Lukas 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:23

The life is more than meat
What in Matthew is put by way of question, is here strongly affirmed; and these words contain a reason or argument to dissuade from an anxious, distressing thought and care about the necessaries, conveniencies, and comforts of life: and all the Oriental versions read, "for", or "seeing the life is more than meat"; that is, it is more excellent and valuable in its own nature, being that for the support of which meat is provided; and seeing God is the author and giver of life, it need not be doubted but he will give meat for the maintenance and continuance of it, so long as is his pleasure it should subsist.

And the body is more than raiment;
it is of more worth than the richest clothing that can be had; the finest piece of embroidery is not comparable to the curious workmanship of the body, ( Psalms 139:15 ) and he that has so curiously wrought that, will not fail to provide suitable and proper clothing for it; and therefore there ought to be no anxiety on this account; (See Gill on Matthew 6:5).

Lukas 12:23 In-Context

21 Such is the one hoarding up for himself and not having osher toward Hashem.
22 And Rebbe, Melech, HaMoshiach said to his talmidim, Therefore, I say to you: do not have a LEV ROGEZ (DEVARIM 28:65) for your Chayyim, about your okhel (food) or your basar (body), what you might put on.
23 For the neshamah is more than okhel and the basar more than gartel (belt) and shtreimel (expensive hat). BERESHIS 47:18; TEHILLIM 16:9 10; IYOV 19:2527, YESHAYAH 53:11
24 Consider the ravens! They do not sow nor reap, they have no storeroom or asam (granary), yet Hashem feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than the OPH HASHOMAYIM [IYOV 38:41; TEHILLIM 147:9]
25 And can any of you by means of a LEV ROGEZ add one cubit to your span of Chayyim?
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.