12:26

So: In Greek, this verse begins with a conjunction that many English versions translate as “then.” This conjunction introduces a conclusion to Jesus’ third reason. The Berean Standard Bible uses the word So. Other versions do not translate this word. Another way to introduce this conclusion is:

Therefore if you cannot do…

if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest?: This is another rhetorical question. It functions as a mild rebuke. It also emphasizes that worrying is useless. By worrying, a person cannot even do something small such as make his life one hour longer. So a person should not worry about other things either.

Some ways to translate this rebuke are:

• As a rhetorical question. For example:

If you cannot do a small thing like that, why worry about other things?
-or-
And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? (New Living Translation (2004))

• As a statement. For example:

Since you cannot do even a small thing like that by worrying, then you should not worry about other things either.
-or-
Worrying cannot do a small thing like lengthen your life. So do not worry about bigger issues.

Translate this rebuke in a way that is natural in your language.

such a small thing: The phrase such a small thing refers to adding a short length of time to how long a person would live.

the rest: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the rest refers to other things or problems that people worry about. Some other ways to translate this are:

the other things (Good News Translation)
-or-
everything else (Contemporary English Version)

It is implied that the rest contrasts with the “small thing.” It may be helpful to make this explicit. For example:

bigger things (New Living Translation (2004))

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