John Calvin Commentary Matthew 6:26

"Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value then they?" — Matthew 6:26 (ASV)

Look at the fowls of the air. This is the remedy I spoke of, for teaching us to rely on the providence of God, for of all cares that go beyond bounds, unbelief is the mother. The only cure for covetousness is to embrace the promises of God, by which he assures us that he will take care of us. In the same manner, the Apostle, wishing to withdraw believers from covetousness, confirms that doctrine: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you, (Hebrews 13:5). The substance of the exhortation is that we ought to trust in God, by whom none of his own people, however humble their condition may be, are disregarded.

Your heavenly Father feeds them. This deserves careful attention: for, though we are unable to explain the manner in which their life is supported, who among us is in the habit of considering that their life depends on the providence of God, which he is pleased to extend even to them? But if it is thoroughly fixed in our minds that the fowls are supplied with food by the hand of God, there will be no difficulty in expecting it for ourselves, who are formed after his image and reckoned among his children.

They neither sow nor reap. By these words, it is far from being our Lord’s intention to encourage us to indolence and sluggishness. All that he means is that, though other means fail, the providence of God is alone sufficient for us, for it supplies the animals abundantly with everything that they need.

Instead of fowls, (τὰ πετεινὰ,) Luke uses the word ravens, (τοὺς κόρακας,) alluding perhaps to that passage in the Psalms, who gives food to the young ravens that call upon him, (Psalms 67:9). Some think that David expressly mentioned the ravens, because they are immediately deserted by their parents,⁴⁵⁹ and therefore must have their food brought to them by God. Hence it is evident that Christ intended nothing more than to teach his people to throw all their cares on God.

⁴⁵⁹ “Pource que le pere et 1a mere les abandonnent incontinent qu'ils sont nais;” — “because their parents forsake them as soon as they are born.”;” — “because their parents forsake them as soon as they are born.”