Luke 12:25

12:25 And which of you by worrying ¹  can add an hour to his life? ² 

Luke 8:14

8:14 As for the seed that ³  fell among thorns, these are the ones who hear, but ⁴  as they go on their way they are choked ⁵  by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, ⁶  and their fruit does not mature. ⁷ 

[12:25]  ¹ tn Or “by being anxious.”

[12:25]  ² tn Or “a cubit to his height.” A cubit (πῆχυς, phcu") can measure length (normally about 45 cm or 18 inches) or time (a small unit, “hour” is usually used [BDAG 812 s.v.] although “day” has been suggested [L&N 67.151]). The term ἡλικία (Jhlikia) is ambiguous in the same way as πῆχυς. Most scholars take the term to describe age or length of life here, although a few refer it to bodily stature (see BDAG 435-36 s.v. 1.a for discussion). Worry about length of life seems a more natural figure than worry about height. However, the point either way is clear: Worrying adds nothing to life span or height.

[8:14]  ³ tn Grk “What”; the referent (the seed) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[8:14]  ⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

[8:14]  ⁵ sn That is, their concern for spiritual things is crowded out by material things.

[8:14]  ⁶ sn On warnings about the dangers of excessive material attachments, described here as the worries and riches and pleasures of life, see Luke 12:12-21; 16:19-31.

[8:14]  ⁷ tn The verb τελεσφορέω (telesforew) means “to produce mature or ripe fruit” (L&N 23.203). Once again the seed does not reach its goal.