Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus highlights that even the "extra" bird, the one thrown in for free because they were so cheap, is not forgotten by God. This emphasizes that God's attention extends even to the most insignificant details of creation, showing His profound care for everything He has made. This truth underscores just how much more He values us, His children.
Jesus is teaching his followers, warning them against greed and hypocrisy, and encouraging them to trust God's provision. He's just spoken about not fearing those who can only kill the body, emphasizing that God knows and cares even for seemingly insignificant creatures like sparrows. The verses immediately following will build on this idea to highlight that his disciples are far more valuable to God than any bird.
Imagine walking into a market and seeing tiny birds, almost too cheap to count, being sold. What could Jesus possibly be teaching us with such a humble example?
Jesus uses sparrows to highlight God's incredible attention to detail.
A Bargain Bin Bird
Sparrows were the cheapest birds you could buy. In ancient markets, you could get two for a tiny coin, or even five for a slightly larger one. They were so insignificant that sometimes an extra one was thrown in for free! They were practically worthless.
God Doesn't Overlook the 'Odd One Out'
Even though these birds were so cheap and common, Jesus states a profound truth: 'not one of them is forgotten before God.' This means God's awareness extends to even the most common, overlooked creatures. He sees them, knows them, and cares for them.
If God pays such close attention to tiny birds, what does that reveal about His perspective on us?
Jesus draws a direct line from God's care for sparrows to the immense value He places on His people.
From Sparrows to Souls
The argument is simple but powerful: if God doesn't forget these cheap birds, how could He possibly forget you? He uses the extreme commonness and low value of the sparrow to underscore His special, intentional providence over us.
Beyond Comparison
Jesus isn't just saying we're as valuable as sparrows; He's saying we are far more valuable. The context, especially in Matthew's account, shows that God's care for us is a deeper, more personal kind of knowledge and concern than His awareness of a bird. Your life matters infinitely more to God than any sparrow.
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.
phobeomai · Greek Verb
A posture of reverent awe, holy dread, or pious obedience toward God. It is the appropriate human response to the greatness, majesty, and judgment of the Creator.
diapherō · Greek Verb
This passage is a parallel account where Jesus uses the sparrows to illustrate God's providential care, directly stating that not one sparrow falls without the Father's knowledge.
Psalm 50:11This Psalm echoes the idea of God's intimate knowledge of creation, declaring that every wild animal, including the birds of the air, is His.
Job 38:41In his majestic questioning, God asks Job who provides for the raven when it cries out for food, highlighting God's attention to the needs of even the most humble creatures.
Matthew 6:26Jesus uses the same analogy of birds (specifically, the birds of the heavens) to contrast their simple provision with the greater value of human beings in God's sight, reinforcing the argument made in Luke 12:6.
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 that even the "extra" bird, the one thrown in for free because they were so cheap, is not forgotten by God. This emphasizes that God's attention extends even to the most insignificant details of creation, showing His profound care for everything He has made. This truth underscores just how much more He values us, His children.
Jesus is teaching his followers, warning them against greed and hypocrisy, and encouraging them to trust God's provision. He's just spoken about not fearing those who can only kill the body, emphasizing that God knows and cares even for seemingly insignificant creatures like sparrows. The verses immediately following will build on this idea to highlight that his disciples are far more valuable to God than any bird.
Jesus is teaching his followers, warning them against greed and hypocrisy, and encouraging them to trust God's provision. He's just spoken about not fearing those who can only kill the body, emphasizing that God knows and cares even for seemingly insignificant creatures like sparrows. The verses immediately following will build on this idea to highlight that his disciples are far more valuable to God than any bird.
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Refers to the state of being precious or having inherent worth. Biblical value is not self-derived but is established by God’s love, ownership, and redemptive sacrifice for humanity.
"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows." — Jesus highlights that even the "extra" bird, the one thrown in for free because they were so cheap, is not forgotten by God. This emphasizes that God's attention extends even to the most insignifican…
