Luke 12:6

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? ^[a] And ¹not one of them is forgotten before God.

Luke 12:6 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 12:6

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings
As two were sold for one farthing, (See Gill on Matthew 10:29); so in buying and selling, where more money is laid out, things are bought cheaper; the Persic version reads, "for two barley corns":

and not one of them is forgotten before God;
a single sparrow, a bird of little value and worth, is taken notice and care of by him; it has its life from him, and is provided for with food by him, and is under his protection; nor does he ever forget it, nor can any thing be done to it, without his permission; it cannot be struck, so as to cause it to fall on the ground, or be taken in a snare, or be killed in any shape, without the knowledge of God: his providence reaches to the minutest creatures and things, and much more then to rational creatures, to men; and still more to his dear children, ministers, and apostles.

Luke 12:6 In-Context

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.

5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,

Cross References

• 1. 12:6 [Ps. 50:11]

Footnotes

• [a] 12:6 Greek 'two assaria'; an 'assarion' was a Roman copper coin worth about 1/16 of a 'denarius' (which was a day’s wage for a laborer)