For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.

for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father hath known that ye have need of these things;

For though the nations of the world pursue these things, as for you, your Father knows that you need them.

For the nations of the world go in search of all these things: but your Father has knowledge that you have need of them.

For all these things are sought by the Gentiles of the world. And your Father knows that you have need of these things.

These are the things for which all the nations of the world are seeking, and your Father knows that you need them.

The nations of the world seek after - Or, earnestly seek, επιζητει from επι above, over, and ζητεω, I seek; to seek one thing after another, to be continually and eagerly coveting. This is the employment of the nations of this world, utterly regardless of God and eternity! It is the essence of heathenism to live only for this life; and it is the property of Christianity to lead men to live here in reference to another and better world. Reader! how art thou living?
Dr. Lightfoot observes on this place, that κοσμος, the world, and αιων, world or age, have a meaning in the sacred writings which they have not in profane authors. Αιων has relation to the Jewish ages, and κοσμος to the ages that are not Jewish: hence, by συντελεια του αιωνος, Matthew 24:3, is meant the end of the Jewish age or world: and προ χρονων αιωνιων, Titus 1:2, means before the Jewish world began; and hence it is that the term world is very often, in the New Testament, to be understood only of the Gentiles.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after,.... That is, the Gentiles, as in Matthew 6:32 who are frequently, in the Jewish writings, called, in distinction from the Jews, , "the nations of the world" (s). This is an argument used to dissuade from an immediate and anxious concern for food and raiment, because it is Heathenish, and therefore very unbecoming the disciples and followers of Christ: it need not be wondered at in those that know not God, and do not acknowledge his providence, and are strangers to his covenant and promises; but must be very unsuitable to the characters of such who know that godliness has the promise of this life, and of that which is to come:
and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things; and therefore it is needless to be so anxious about them: the Persic version reads, "all these things", and so some copies; that is, meat, drink, and clothing, all the necessaries of life; See Gill on Matthew 6:32.
(s) Vid. T. Bab. Gittin, fol. 28. 2. & 29.