Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "not one of them is forgotten" is more profound than just God remembering them. It implies that even the sparrows that were thrown in as an extra, practically worthless, were still noted by God, highlighting His attention to even the most insignificant details. This reveals God's immeasurable care, extending to every single creature, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about the dangers of greed and the importance of trusting God's provision, especially in the face of persecution. He just warned them against hypocrisy and the fear of man, emphasizing that nothing hidden will remain concealed. This verse continues that theme by illustrating how intimately God cares for even the most insignificant creatures, setting up the assurance that He cares even more for His followers.
Why would Jesus bring up bargain basement birds when talking about God's care?
Jesus uses a common market scene to show God's attentiveness. Sparrows were the cheapest meat available, often sold in bunches. If Matthew says two for a penny, and Luke says five for two pennies, it highlights how little they were worth. Sometimes, you'd even get an 'extra' bird thrown in just to make the deal sweeter! This wasn't a bird anyone would carefully track. Yet, Jesus says, 'not one of them is forgotten before God.' This wasn't just a random bird; it was the bargain, the 'throw-in' bird, that God still noticed.
In a world that overlooks the insignificant, where does God's gaze land?
The sparrow's insignificance is the whole point. These weren't prized animals; they were cheap food, easily overlooked. The Jewish leaders, and likely many in the crowd, were focused on power, status, and important matters. Jesus redirects their attention to the smallest creatures, the ones least likely to be remembered by anyone. He's saying that God's awareness isn't limited to the grand or the important. His providential care extends to every single sparrow, no matter how common or easily dismissed. If God cares for something so seemingly worthless, how much more does He care for us?
What does God's knowledge of a fallen sparrow have to do with enduring hardship?
Jesus connects God's detailed awareness of the least of creatures to the struggles of His followers. The commentary notes that even the fall of a sparrow wasn't random; it happened with God's knowledge and permission. This radical idea, amplified in the parallel in Matthew where it says 'not one of them shall fall to the ground without your Father,' suggests that even suffering, persecution, and death for believers occur within the bounds of God's sovereign plan. It's not that God wants us to suffer, but that He is so in control that even the most painful events happen with His allowance. This profound truth is meant to give courage: If God is intimately aware of and involved in the smallest details, even the painful ones, He is certainly aware of and involved in lives, giving us strength to endure.
Understand the original words
strouthion · Greek Noun
A small, common bird often used in the ancient world to represent something of little monetary value. In Scripture, it illustrates God's intimate concern for even the most seemingly insignificant aspects of creation.
epilanthanomai · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, to be 'forgotten' implies being excluded from God's providential care or remembrance. The text asserts that God's attention is so comprehensive that nothing, however trivial, escapes His notice.
This passage parallels Luke's point, emphasizing God's intimate knowledge and care even for the smallest creatures, as Jesus uses the example of sparrows to teach his disciples not to fear.
Psalm 50:11This psalm speaks of God's ownership and knowledge of every creature in His creation, echoing Luke's idea that no sparrow is forgotten, highlighting God's sovereignty over all life.
Job 38:41This passage questions who provides for the raven and satisfies the young lions, pointing to God as the sustainer of all living things, which directly supports the idea that God cares for even the seemingly insignificant sparrow.
1 Samuel 2:6Hannah's prayer declares that the Lord brings both life and death, showing His ultimate control over all existence, reinforcing the profound truth that even the falling of a sparrow is not outside of God's notice or plan.
Matthew 6:26Jesus directly contrasts the value of humans with that of birds of the air, instructing his followers not to worry about provision, which amplifies the message in Luke that if God cares for birds, He will surely care for His people who are far more valuable.
jfbLuke 12:6: "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?"
6, 7. five … for two farthings—In Mt 10:29 it is "two for one farthing"; so if one took two farthings' worth, he got one in addition—of such small value were they.than many sparrows—not "than millions of sparrows"; the charm and power of our Lord's teaching is very much in this simplicity.
clarkeLuke 12:6: "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?"
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? - See this explained on Matthew 10:29 (note), from which place we learn that two sparrows were sold for one farthing, and here; that five were sold for two farthings: thus we find a certain proportion - for one farthing you could get but two, while for two farthings you could get five.
The phrase "not one of them is forgotten" is more profound than just God remembering them. It implies that even the sparrows that were thrown in as an extra, practically worthless, were still noted by God, highlighting His attention to even the most insignificant details. This reveals God's immeasurable care, extending to every single creature, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about the dangers of greed and the importance of trusting God's provision, especially in the face of persecution. He just warned them against hypocrisy and the fear of man, emphasizing that nothing hidden will remain concealed. This verse continues that theme by illustrating how intimately God cares for even the most insignificant creatures, setting up the assurance that He cares even more for His followers.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about the dangers of greed and the importance of trusting God's provision, especially in the face of persecution. He just warned them against hypocrisy and the fear of man, emphasizing that nothing hidden will remain concealed. This verse continues that theme by illustrating how intimately God cares for even the most insignificant creatures, setting up the assurance that He cares even more for His followers.
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"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God." — The phrase "not one of them is forgotten" is more profound than just God remembering them. It implies that even the sparrows that were thrown in as an extra, practically worthless, were still noted b…
