Luke 12:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe, that when God has once given a soul, it abides the same, but the body is taking growth daily. Passing over then the soul as not receiving increase, he makes mention only of the body, giving us to understand that it is not increased by food alone, but by the Divine Providence, from the fact that no one by receiving nourishment can add any thing to his stature. It is therefore concluded, If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, take no thought for the rest.

Now the reason that he omits mention of the other birds, and speaks only of the ravens, is, that the young of the ravens are by an especial providence fed by God. For the ravens produce indeed, but do not feed, but neglect their young, to whom in a marvellous manner from the air their food comes, brought as it were by the wind, which they receive having their mouths open, and so are nourished. Perhaps also such things were spoken by synecdoche, i. e. the whole signified by a part. Hence in Matthew our Lord refers to the birds of the air, (Matt. 6:26.) but here more particularly to the ravens, as being more greedy and ravenous than others.

As before in raising our minds to spiritual boldness, He assured us by the example of the birds, which are counted of little worth, saying, Ye are of more value than many sparrows; so now also from the instance of birds, He conveys to us a firm and undoubting trust, saying, 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 fowls?

But in speaking concerning increasing the stature of the body, He refers to that which is least, that is, to God, to make bodies.

But it is a great thing to follow up this example in faith. For to the birds of the air who have no labour of tilling, no produce from the fruitfulness of crops, Divine Providence grants an unfailing sustenance. It is true then that the cause of our poverty seems to be covetousness. For they have for this reason a toilless and abundant use of food, because they think not of claiming to themselves by any special right fruits given for common food. We have lost what things were common by claiming them as our own. For neither is any thing a man’s own, where nothing is perpetual, nor is supply certain when the end is uncertain.

In this instance, it states that He refers to the increase of a cubit in stature as the least.

By the ravens also he signifies something else, for the birds which pick up seeds have a ready source of food, but those that feed on flesh as the ravens do have more difficulty in getting it. Yet birds of this kind suffer from no lack of food, because the providence of God extends every where; but he brings to the same purpose also a third argument, saying, And which of you by taking thought can add to his stature?

That is, ye are more precious, because a rational animal like man is of a higher order in the nature of things than irrational things, as the birds are.

During a discussion with His disciples, an individual approached Him, requesting His assistance in resolving a dispute over inheritance with his siblings. The Lord never assumed the role of a civil judge; thus, He chose not to honor this request. Instead, He highlighted how self-serving attitudes can fracture even familial bonds, criticizing the foolishness of those who seek to amass wealth by any means necessary. He presented the parable of the foolish rich man to illustrate His point.

In His teachings to the disciples, Christ emphasizes liberation not just from greed and the longing for wealth, but also from earthly anxieties overall. These teachings are conveyed in Matthew 6:25-33 and Matthew 19:21.

Christ further elaborated on this idea, urging His listeners to refrain from getting caught up in the trivialities of this world and to prioritize the welfare of the soul, which holds greater significance than the physical body. The body is the most basic aspect of humanity, akin to that of lower creatures, and there is no necessity to excessively attend to its requirements. Nature provides ample resources for its sustenance. Consider the crows: “they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouses nor barns, and God feeds them.” Are not humans of greater value than birds? The same principle applies to clothing.