King James Version

Matthew 6:33

In Matthew 6:33 Jesus tells his listeners to make God's kingdom and his righteousness their first priority, instead of worrying about food, drink and clothing. He promises that "all these things shall be added unto you."

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But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 · KJV

Matthew 6:33 in context

³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴Take 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 6:30-34, King James Version.

What Matthew 6:33 means

The verse begins with 'But', so it answers what came just before. In verses 25-32 Jesus tells his hearers to take no thought, meaning not to be anxious, about what they will eat, drink or wear. He points to the birds that God feeds and the lilies that God clothes. Then he says the Gentiles chase after these things, and the heavenly Father already knows you need them.

Instead of chasing those needs, Jesus says to seek two things first: the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. The kingdom is God's rule, the life where he is King. His righteousness is the right living that belongs to that kingdom. 'First' does not say that food and clothes do not matter. It sets the order.

The 'all these things' that shall be added are the same things listed in verse 31: food, drink and clothing. The promise is about daily needs, not about wealth. Jesus has just said in verse 24 that no one can serve both God and mammon.

The very next verse closes the teaching: take no thought for tomorrow, because each day has enough trouble of its own. Many readers take verses 33 and 34 together as a pattern for trusting God one day at a time.

Background and context

Matthew 6:33 is part of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where Jesus teaches his disciples on a mountain while the crowds listen. The Gospel is traditionally attributed to Matthew, the tax collector who became one of the twelve.

Chapter 6 deals with giving, prayer and fasting done in secret, the Lord's Prayer, treasure in heaven, and worry. Luke records a similar saying in Luke 12:31.

Key verses

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Matthew 6:25 · KJV

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 6:34 · KJV

Cross references

Luke 12:31 Luke's version of the same teaching: rather seek ye the kingdom of God.But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:21 Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters; ye cannot serve God and mammon.No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
1 Kings 3:11-13 Solomon asked for understanding, and God also gave him what he had not asked: riches and honour.And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself in the LORD, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Philippians 4:19 Paul's promise that God shall supply all your need.But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Romans 14:17 Paul describes the kingdom of God as righteousness, peace and joy, not meat and drink.For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

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Common questions

What does Matthew 6:33 mean?

It means putting God's rule and right living first, ahead of anxious worry about daily needs. Jesus promises that the Father, who knows those needs, will add them.

Who said Matthew 6:33?

Jesus said it during the Sermon on the Mount. The Gospel of Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew, one of the twelve disciples.

What are 'all these things' in Matthew 6:33?

In context they are food, drink and clothing, the needs Jesus lists in verses 25 and 31.

Is Matthew 6:33 a promise of wealth?

The context points to daily needs rather than riches. Jesus has just warned that no one can serve God and mammon.

Where else is this teaching in the Bible?

Luke 12:22-31 records a close parallel, ending with rather seek ye the kingdom of God.