Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει, καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσιν καὶ κλέπτουσιν· (Matthew 6:19)
Imperatives of the Kingdom
In this verse, Jesus shifts from prayer and fasting to possessions and priorities. With vivid contrasts and stark imperatives, the Greek highlights moral clarity through verbal command, adverbial clauses of condition, and present tense nuances that reveal the pull of earthly vs. heavenly investments.
Μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν θησαυροὺς – Do Not Store Up Treasures for Yourselves
- Μὴ – negative particle for prohibitions with present imperatives
- θησαυρίζετε – present active imperative, 2nd person plural of θησαυρίζω, “store up, accumulate”
- ὑμῖν – dative of advantage, “for yourselves”
- θησαυροὺς – accusative plural, direct object, “treasures”
The present imperative + μὴ construction signals a general prohibition, urging the cessation of a habitual action. Jesus is not forbidding saving altogether—but self-focused hoarding.
ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς – On Earth
- ἐπὶ with the genitive indicates location, “on the surface of”
- τῆς γῆς – “the earth”
This specifies the unworthy location of such treasure: a vulnerable realm subject to decay and theft.
ὅπου σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει – Where Moth and Corrosion Destroy
- ὅπου – relative adverb, “where”
- σὴς – “moth,” subject of the clause
- βρῶσις – “eating, corrosion,” also a subject
- ἀφανίζει – present active indicative, 3rd singular of ἀφανίζω, “to destroy, consume, make vanish”
The use of two natural corrupting agents (insect and decay) implies inevitable loss. The verb ἀφανίζει is vivid—it doesn’t merely damage, it erases.
καὶ ὅπου κλέπται διορύσσουσιν καὶ κλέπτουσιν – Where Thieves Break In and Steal
- κλέπται – “thieves,” plural subject
- διορύσσουσιν – present active indicative, 3rd plural of διορύσσω, “to dig through,” referring to ancient mud-brick walls
- κλέπτουσιν – present active indicative, 3rd plural of κλέπτω, “they steal”
The repetition of the verb in present tense underscores habitual vulnerability. Earthly treasures are never safe. The imagery draws from 1st-century homes, where literal digging through walls was a real threat.
Contrast Through Syntax
| Greek Expression | Grammatical Role | Spiritual Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| μὴ θησαυρίζετε ὑμῖν | Prohibition (present imperative) | Do not keep accumulating earthly security |
| ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς | Locative phrase | The realm of decay and instability |
| σὴς καὶ βρῶσις ἀφανίζει | Natural agents + present verb | Earthly wealth is subject to natural decay |
| κλέπται διορύσσουσιν καὶ κλέπτουσιν | Human threat + present verbs | Earthly wealth is exposed to human sin |
The Unstable Earth, the Secure Kingdom
The grammar of Matthew 6:19 is sharp and memorable: the repetition of ὅπου, the stacking of present indicative verbs, and the rhythm of parallel clauses—all reinforce one truth: this world is not a safe vault. Whether by moth, rust, or thief, what is stored here will be lost.
Jesus is not against wealth—but against false security. His command is grammatical and spiritual: stop treasuring here. And in the next verse, He will command where we should. But for now, the Greek grammar presses the warning: Earth is where treasure dies.
