12:30a

For: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For introduces a reason why Jesus’ disciples should not worry about what they should eat and drink and wear. They should not worry, because if they worried, they would be like the people of other nations who did not know God.

the Gentiles of the world strive after all these things: Scholars disagree as to what the word all refers to:

(1) It refers to the phrase these things. For example:

These are all things that occupy the minds of the Gentiles (Revised English Bible)

(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It refers to the phrase the Gentiles of the world. For example:

For all the nations of the world seek these things (Revised Standard Version)

(Revised Standard Version, NET Bible, New Century Version, New Living Translation (2004), God’s Word)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The word “all” appears with “these things” five other times in Luke. This interpretation also agrees with the parallel passage in Matthew 6:32.

the Gentiles of the world: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as the Gentiles of the world is literally “the nations of the world.” It refers to the various people groups throughout the world who did not trust in the God of the Jews. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

people who don’t know God (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
nations who do not worship/know God
-or-
other/Gentile nations

strive after: The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as strive after means “desire” or “seek.” It has almost the same meaning as the verb that was translated as “be concerned about” in 12:29a and as “seek” in 12:31a. Other ways to translate the verb here are:

are always concerned about (Good News Translation)
-or-
set their hearts on (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
occupy the minds of (Revised English Bible)
-or-
trying to get (New Century Version)

all these things: The phrase all these things refers to all sorts of material things, including the food, drink, and clothes that Jesus had just been talking about.

12:30b

and your Father knows that you need them: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and is often translated as “but” in English. Here it occurs with your, which is in an emphatic position. It contrasts the disciples with the people who do not know God. The disciples can trust God to care for them. As their Father, he knows what they need. One way to express this meaning is:

But as for you, your Father knows that you need these things

your Father: This refers to God. If this would not be clear in your language, you may need to make this explicit:

your Father ⌊God⌋
-or-
your ⌊heavenly⌋ Father

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