“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?”
The full verse · Luke 12:6 · KJV
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Asked by
Jesus: the Son of God and promised Messiah, teaching His disciples while an innumerable multitude gathered (Luke 12:1)
The Scene
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionJesus asked this to calm His disciples' fear. He had just told them not to fear people who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who "hath power to cast into hell" (Luke 12:4-5). He also warned that they would be brought before synagogues and magistrates (Luke 12:11). Now He shows them that the God they must fear is also the God who cares for them. Sparrows were so cheap that five sold for two small coins, yet God forgets none of them. Gill says a single sparrow, "a bird of little value and worth, is taken notice and care of by him."
The Response
What Scripture recordsJesus answered His own question and applied it right away: "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7). Then He called them to courage: "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God" (Luke 12:8). He promised that when they were brought to trial, "the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say" (Luke 12:12).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe "farthing" here is the Greek assarion, a small copper coin. Thayer says it was worth a tenth of a drachma. Matthew records "two sparrows sold for a farthing" (Matthew 10:29), while Luke says five for two. Gill explains that "As two were sold for one farthing," buying more meant getting them cheaper. Even so cheap a bird is not forgotten before God.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThis question shows God's attention to the smallest parts of His world. Nothing is too small for Him to notice. Matthew Henry writes, "Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ."
Jesus puts two truths side by side. Fear God, who has power over body and soul (Luke 12:5). Do not be afraid, because that same God numbers the hairs of your head (Luke 12:7). Matthew Henry sums up Jesus' warning in Luke 12:5 this way: "that you may fear man less, fear God more." Later in the chapter Jesus makes the same argument from the ravens: "God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" (Luke 12:24).
Look Closer
What kind of fear was Jesus calming with this question?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, You do not forget even one sparrow; what fear am I carrying that You want me to bring into the light of Your care?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Jesus told His friends both to fear God and not to be afraid. How do those two fit together in your own life?
- Share a time when a small detail reminded you that God had not forgotten you.
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
If God keeps track of a sparrow sold for almost nothing, He has not lost track of you. Jesus said even the hairs of your head are numbered (Luke 12:7). When you feel overlooked or afraid, that is a truth to rest on.
Jesus did not promise His disciples a life without danger. In the same breath He spoke of people who "kill the body" and of being brought before magistrates (Luke 12:4, 11). His promise is not that nothing hard will happen, but that nothing will happen to you that God has forgotten.
Let that settle your heart enough to be faithful. Jesus' next words call His followers to confess Him openly (Luke 12:8).
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
Keep questioning
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?”
“How much more are ye better than the fowls?”
“Which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?”
“How much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?”