Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus highlights God's awareness even of the seemingly worthless – the "odd one out" sparrow, the one thrown in for free, shows that no one is too insignificant for God's notice. This implies that even the smallest details of our lives, those we might dismiss as trivial, are known and held by God.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is teaching his disciples about the dangers of greed and anxiety, contrasting the pursuit of earthly riches with trust in God's provision. He's just warned them not to store up treasures on earth, emphasizing that God knows everything about them. This verse follows immediately, using the example of common sparrows to illustrate God's incredible attention to even the most insignificant details.
Imagine buying something and getting an extra, free item thrown in. It's almost worthless, right? That's how sparrows were treated.
Jesus uses a striking detail to show God's profound awareness. He mentions that five sparrows could be bought for a very small price – two assaria (a small Roman coin, about a fifth of a cent). The gospel writers note slight variations in the exact price or number, but the point is clear: sparrows were the cheapest birds available, sold in the marketplace like cheap produce.
Even more telling, the commentary suggests that when bought in batches (like five for two assaria), one might be thrown in for free. This "extra" bird, considered virtually worthless, still wasn't forgotten by God. This highlights an incredible truth: God's attention isn't limited to the grand or valuable. He sees and cares for the seemingly insignificant.
God’s care isn't just for grand events; it extends to the everyday transactions of life.
Jesus draws His illustration directly from the common marketplace. Sparrows were not pets or prized possessions; they were cheap food, readily available. The fact that they were sold for mere pennies underscores their low status and minimal value in human eyes.
However, Jesus declares that not one of these insignificant creatures is forgotten by God. This speaks volumes about God’s sovereign providence – His active, personal involvement in sustaining and guiding all His creation. It means that the economy of the world, the daily supply and demand, operates under His watchful eye. Even the smallest sale, the cheapest bird, is part of His grand design and is known to Him.
Ask a follow-up
If God notices the cheapest bird, how much more does He value you, His child?
The core message Jesus is building towards is a powerful reassurance against fear. He argues from the lesser to the greater: if God’s providence extends even to the least valuable creatures like sparrows, how much more will it extend to human beings, especially those who are His followers?
The value of a human life, particularly a believer's life, far surpasses that of many sparrows. While sparrows were sold for pennies, believers are purchased with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19). God’s intimate knowledge and care for the sparrows is meant to convince us of His deep, personal concern for us. He numbers the hairs on our heads; He knows our struggles, our fears, and our worth in His sight. Don't let your perceived insignificance lead you to fear; rest in the knowledge that you are profoundly valued by the Creator of all.
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 directly parallels Luke's point, emphasizing that not even the smallest creatures, like sparrows, fall without God's awareness, highlighting His intimate knowledge of His creation.
Psalm 50:10This psalm echoes the theme of God's ownership and care for all creatures, stating that every animal in the forest and on the mountains belongs to Him, underscoring His sovereignty over even the most humble beings.
Job 38:41In his questioning of Job, God describes His provision for the ravens, asking who provides food for them when they cry out, illustrating His care for creatures often overlooked or considered insignificant.
Matthew 6:26Jesus uses the same logic here, contrasting the value of birds with human value to encourage trust in God's provision, reinforcing the idea that if God cares for birds, He will certainly care for His people.
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.
Jesus highlights God's awareness even of the seemingly worthless – the "odd one out" sparrow, the one thrown in for free, shows that no one is too insignificant for God's notice. This implies that even the smallest details of our lives, those we might dismiss as trivial, are known and held by God.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about the dangers of greed and anxiety, contrasting the pursuit of earthly riches with trust in God's provision. He's just warned them not to store up treasures on earth, emphasizing that God knows everything about them. This verse follows immediately, using the example of common sparrows to illustrate God's incredible attention to even the most insignificant details.
Jesus is teaching his disciples about the dangers of greed and anxiety, contrasting the pursuit of earthly riches with trust in God's provision. He's just warned them not to store up treasures on earth, emphasizing that God knows everything about them. This verse follows immediately, using the example of common sparrows to illustrate God's incredible attention to even the most insignificant details.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God." — Jesus highlights God's awareness even of the seemingly worthless – the "odd one out" sparrow, the one thrown in for free, shows that no one is too insignificant for God's notice. This implies that…
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Last reviewed October 2026