Luke 12:29-34, What are you looking for? Really! (1)

We now come to the often-used “zēteō,” the word that simply means “to seek.”  But given it’s connection to the other “jealousy” terms you are right to understand it to be an aggressive or strong search.  This list (119X in the NT) will take several days.  For me the key is to pay attention to what I should and should not seek after, as well as to note the illustrations of people searching.  If you are looking for something, then there is some kind of motivation at work.  Does this come from being filled with the Spirit, who always leads us by the Word of God?  Of is it my own lusts that are at work?

zēteō: to seek (Matthew-Luke)

·       Mt 2:13,20: Herod to seek child to destroy him; they return after those who sought young child's life were dead.

·       Mt 6:32f: what to eat, drink wear? Gentiles seek these things. Father knows you need them. Seek 1st K of God & His r. & these things added. (Lk 12:29-31: don't seek...nations of world seek...but seek K of God)

·       Mt7:7f: seek & you'll find; for all who seek, find. (Lk 11:9f)

·       Mt 12:39: evil generation seeks sign; none given except sign of Jonah. (16:4; Lk 11:29)(Mk 8:11: leaders seeking sign [Lk11:16]; 8:12: no sign, period.)

·       Mt 12:43: unclean spirit seeking rest, finds none, then returns to body. (Lk 11:24)

·       Mt 12:46f: Jesus family seeking to speak to him; someone says "family seeking to speak to you".  (Mk 3:32)

·       Mt 13:45: K of heaven like merchant seeking beautiful pearls

·       Mt 18:12: the shepherd leaves 99 to seek one that is strayed?

·       Mt 21:46: leaders sought to lay hands on Jesus bec. they feared crowds. (Mk 11:18; 12:12; Lk 20:19; Mk 14:1: sought to take him by trickery, put him to death; Lk 19:47; 22:2)(Jn 10:39)

·       Mt 26:16: Judas sought opportunity to betray Jesus (Mk 14:11; Lk 22:6)

·       Mt 26:59: leaders sought false testimony against Jesus (Mk 14:55)

·       Mt 28:5: Angel: "I know that you seek Jesus; He is risen." (Mk 16:6)(Lk 24:5: why do you seek the dead among the living?)

·       Mk 1:37: d's to Jesus: everyone is looking for you.

·       Lk 2:44f,48f: Jesus' parents sought him among relatives, then to Jerusalem to seek him. "We sought you"; "Why did you seek me." (His parents needed to adjust searching)

·       Lk 4:42: crowd sought Jesus, came to him to keep him fr. leaving

·       Lk 5:18: friends sought to bring paralyzed man to Jesus

·       Lk 6:19: multitude sought to tough Jesus, be healed.