What is meant by the phrase lilies of the field?

Answer 1

The phrase the lilies of the field is part of Jesus' sermon on the mount as recorded at Matthew 6:26-34 (compare Luke 12:27-31.)

At this point in his sermon he was encouraging his listeners to put the kingdom of God first in their lives, and not to worry too much about other daily/mundane necessities, such food and, in this particular instance, clothing.

"And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, 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?" ~King James Version.

Some have suggested that Jesus may have been referring to a particular type of wild flower when he said the lilies of the field. Alternatively, as the context indicates, perhaps he was just referring to vegetation in general. Either way, he was illustrating his good counsel with an example drawn from nature, using something that all people, from their own knowledge and experience, can understood and appreciate.

Jesus therefore used the poetic phrase the lilies of the field as part of his well-known Sermon on the Mount, the overall objective of which was to teach his followers to have a more spiritual attitude and outlook, and, in this particular context cited, to remind them that God knows and will always satisfy the needs of those who look to God.

Answer 2

Lilies of the field is a phrase from The Bible that encourages people to see that God takes care of everything. Lilies neither toil nor spin, but they are more well-dressed than Solomon, or the kingdoms of the world. And if God does that for plants, then we should remember that he can, and will do the same for us.

Here are the verses from Matthew:

28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore, 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?

Answer 3

Lilies of the field is from Matthew 6:28. Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider lilies of the field; how they grow. They do not toil, neither do they spin. Jesus was telling his followers that God would provide.