Paragraph 12:27–28

In 12:22, Jesus told his disciples not to worry about food or clothing. In 12:24 he used ravens as an example of how God provided food for insignificant birds. Here in 12:27–28, he used lilies as a parallel example of how God provided beautiful “clothing” for wildflowers.

12:27a

Consider how the lilies grow: The word Consider is the same word that was used in 12:24a. Since this is a parallel example, you may want to use similar wording here. In some languages it may be more natural to make lilies the direct object of Consider:

Consider the lilies. You know how they grow.

the lilies: Scholars are uncertain about the meaning of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as lilies. It may refer to a specific flower, but it may also refer generally to any of the beautiful wildflowers that grew in Palestine (Israel). So you may want to use a general expression. For example:

the wild flowers (Good News Translation)
-or-
the flowers (New Jerusalem Bible)

As with “the ravens” (12:24a), consider whether or not the definite article (“the”) is natural here in your language. It is probable that Jesus pointed to some nearby flowers as he said these words. In some languages it may be appropriate to indicate that in some way. For example:

these/those wildflowers

12:27b

labor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as labor refers to hard physical work, such as digging in the ground or gathering the harvest.

spin: The word spin refers to twisting fibers together to make thread for weaving cloth. If in your culture people do not spin thread, you may wish to translate the function of this work:

make clothes

12:27c

Yet I tell you: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Yet I tell you introduces a statement that Jesus wanted to emphasize. It was surprising and unexpected. People did not expect him to say that ordinary wildflowers had greater beauty than the clothes of King Solomon. Some other ways to emphasize this statement are:

• As a phrase before Jesus’ statement. For example:

But let me tell you this
-or-
Yet I assure you

• As an emphatic word within Jesus’ statement. For example:

But Solomon in all his splendor was certainly not dressed like one of these

If you have another way in your language to emphasize a statement or to alert people to listen with special attention, consider using it here.

The phrase I tell you was used in a different context in 12:4a and 12:8a. It was used in a similar context in 10:12. Be sure to evaluate the context carefully before you decide what expression to use here.

Solomon: Jesus referred here to King Solomon, the richest of all Israel’s kings. He lived long before Jesus’ time.

in all his glory: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as glory in this context refers to all the ways in which Solomon displayed his wealth and power. This included the expensive and beautiful robes that he wore as king, as well as his luxurious palace and his other possessions. Some versions focus on Solomon’s clothing. For example:

in all his royal robes (New Jerusalem Bible)

Most versions use a word that refers more generally to Solomon’s riches. For example:

with all his wealth (Good News Translation)
-or-
in all his majesty (God’s Word)

In some languages a single term may not be adequate to express the meaning of glory. In that case, consider using more than one term. For example:

who was very rich and wore expensive clothes (Translator’s Reference Translation)

was adorned like one of these: In this context the phrase was adorned like means “was dressed as well as” or “wore clothes as beautiful as.” Jesus was saying that even Solomon’s best clothes were not as beautiful as the wildflowers. The New Century Version makes this explicit:

even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers

The phrase adorned like one of these is a figurative comparison, since flowers do not literally wear clothes. If this figure is not natural in your language, you may translate this meaning directly. For example:

Solomon’s magnificent robes were not as beautiful as one of these flowers.

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