Luke 12:6

In Luke 12:6, Jesus continues His teaching on discipleship, urging His followers not to succumb to fear but to place their trust entirely in God's sovereign care. This verse is part of a larger discourse where Jesus warns against hypocrisy (Luke 12:1) and encourages open confession of faith, even in the face of persecution.

Context

This verse is spoken by Jesus to His disciples, immediately after instructing them not to fear those who can only kill the body (Luke 12:4), but rather to fear God, who has power over both body and soul. To illustrate God's meticulous oversight and care, Jesus uses the common and seemingly insignificant sparrow as an example. The teaching serves to reassure His followers that if God cares for such small creatures, He certainly cares for them, who are of much greater value.

Key Themes

• God's Meticulous Providence: The verse powerfully conveys God's intimate knowledge and care for all creation, even the smallest and most common of creatures. It highlights that nothing, no matter how seemingly insignificant, escapes His divine attention.
• The Intrinsic Value of Human Life: By contrasting the low market value of sparrows with God's complete knowledge of them, Jesus implicitly elevates the worth of human beings. If five sparrows are sold for two farthings, and not one is forgotten, how much more valuable are God's children? This idea is explicitly stated in the very next verse, Luke 12:7, where Jesus says, "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."
• Freedom from Fear and Anxiety: The ultimate message is an antidote to worry and fear. Knowing that God is aware of and cares for every detail, even of a sparrow's life, should instill profound confidence and peace in believers, freeing them from the anxieties of life and the fear of man.

Linguistic Insights

The term "farthings" in the KJV translates the Greek word assarion (ἀσσάριον), which was a small Roman copper coin of very low value. Two farthings would purchase five sparrows, indicating that sparrows were among the cheapest food items available, often sold in bundles. The fact that an extra sparrow was thrown in for the price of two farthings (implying four for one farthing, and five for two) further underscores their negligible market value. Yet, Jesus emphasizes that despite their cheapness in human commerce, "not one of them is forgotten before God," using the Greek word epilanthano (ἐπιλανθάνομαι), meaning "to forget" or "to neglect." God's memory and care are perfect and all-encompassing.

Related Scriptures

This teaching is paralleled in Matthew 10:29-31, where Jesus uses two sparrows for one farthing, but the message of God's comprehensive care remains the same. The broader theme of divine providence and trust in God's provision can be seen in Matthew 6:26-30, where Jesus points to the birds of the air and the lilies of the field as examples of God's care. For further assurance of God's personal knowledge of individuals, consider Psalm 139:1-4, and for casting anxieties upon God, see 1 Peter 5:7.

Practical Application

Luke 12:6 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that no one is too small, too insignificant, or too forgotten to be under God's watchful eye. In moments of fear, anxiety about the future, or feelings of personal insignificance, this verse encourages us to remember that the Creator of the universe cares for us with an intimate, unwavering love. Our worth is not determined by human standards or economic value, but by our infinite worth in God's sight. This should lead us to greater trust, less worry, and bolder proclamation of our faith, knowing that God is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives.