Translation commentary on Luke 12:29

Exegesis:

kai humeis ‘and you,’ with continuing emphasis.

mē zēteite lit. ‘do not seek.’ zēteite (here and v. 31) and epizētousin (v. 30) have approximately the same meaning, i.e. ‘be intent on,’ ‘be preoccupied with.’

mē meteōrizesthe ‘do not live in a state of anxiety’ (cf. Phillips).

Translation:

And do not seek, contrasting those who know God’s care and “the men of little faith” who do not; hence, “and so you are not to set your mind on” (New English Bible), ‘so do not always be looking for’ (cf. Good News Translation).

Of anxious mind, or, “all upset” (Good News Translation), referring to the emotion that accompanies the seeking. Some idiomatic renderings used here are, ‘divided your-spirit’ (Toraja-Sa’dan), ‘irresolute (a reduplicated form of ‘why’) your mind’ (Batak Toba), ‘receive jump-of-heart’ (Sranan Tongo).

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

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