Luke 12:6

KJV

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

KJV (with Strong's)

Are {G4453} not {G3780} five {G4002} sparrows {G4765} sold {G4453} for two {G1417} farthings {G787}, and {G2532} not {G3756} one {G1520} of {G1537} them {G846} is {G2076} forgotten {G1950} before {G1799} God {G2316}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Aren’t sparrows sold for next to nothing, five for two assarions? And not one of them has been forgotten by God.

Berean Standard Bible

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.

American Standard Version

Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 12:6 presents a profound teaching from Jesus, assuring His disciples of God's meticulous and unwavering care. Through the common example of sparrows, which hold negligible market value, Jesus highlights that not even one of these seemingly insignificant creatures escapes God's divine attention. This verse serves as a powerful antidote to fear and anxiety, urging believers to place their complete trust in the heavenly Father's comprehensive providence, understanding that if He cares for the least, He certainly cares for those made in His image.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus' broader discourse on discipleship, delivered to a large crowd and specifically addressed to His disciples. Immediately preceding this passage, Jesus warns against hypocrisy, emphasizing the importance of open confession of faith and the ultimate accountability before God ([Luke 12:1-3](/luke/12-1-3 "Luke 12:1-3 - Warnings Against Hypocrisy")). He then directly addresses the fear of persecution, urging His followers not to fear those who can only kill the body, but rather to fear God, who has authority over both body and soul ([Luke 12:4-5](/luke/12-4-5 "Luke 12:4-5 - Whom to Fear")). Luke 12:6, along with the subsequent verse ([Luke 12:7](/luke/12-7 "Luke 12:7 - God's Care for You")), serves as the foundational argument for why disciples should not fear, illustrating God's meticulous oversight and incomparable care for His creation, especially His beloved children.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Sparrows were among the cheapest and most common birds in ancient Israel, often caught in nets and sold in the marketplace as a food source for the poor. Their low market value is underscored by the mention of "two farthings" (Greek: _assarion_), a coin of extremely small denomination. The fact that five sparrows could be purchased for this meager sum, rather than just four (implying one was thrown in for free as an extra), further emphasizes their perceived insignificance in human commerce. This economic reality provides a stark contrast to Jesus' theological point: despite their worthlessness in the eyes of the world, they are not overlooked by God. This context makes Jesus' teaching particularly poignant for His disciples, many of whom were poor or faced social marginalization and persecution.

* **Key Themes:** Luke 12:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **God's Meticulous Providence**, demonstrating His intimate knowledge and care extending to even the most minute aspects of creation. This divine oversight is not general but specific and personal. Secondly, it lays the groundwork for the theme of the **Intrinsic Value of Human Life** in God's eyes, especially for His followers. By contrasting the low market value of sparrows with God's perfect memory of them, Jesus implicitly elevates the worth of human beings, a point made explicit in [Luke 12:7](/luke/12-7 "Luke 12:7 - Your Immeasurable Worth"). Finally, and perhaps most centrally, the verse serves as a profound call to **Freedom from Fear and Anxiety**. Understanding God's comprehensive care for even a sparrow should instill profound confidence and peace in believers, enabling them to overcome worldly anxieties and the fear of human opposition, trusting fully in their heavenly Father's unwavering watchfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sparrows (Greek, _strouthíon'_):** Derived from a word meaning "sparrow," this diminutive form emphasizes the smallness and commonness of these birds. Jesus deliberately chooses a creature considered insignificant and cheap to highlight God's all-encompassing attention, demonstrating that nothing is too small to escape His notice.
* **Farthings (Greek, _assárion'_):** This term refers to a small Roman copper coin, an _assarius_ or _as_, which was of very low value. The mention of "two farthings" for "five sparrows" underscores the extreme economic insignificance of these birds. This low market value serves as a stark contrast to the immeasurable value God places on every creature, and by extension, on human beings.
* **Forgotten (Greek, _epilanthánomai'_):** This word means "to lose out of mind" or "to neglect." Jesus' emphatic declaration that "not one of them is forgotten before God" directly counters the human perception of insignificance. It highlights God's perfect memory, His active awareness, and His continuous, attentive care for all His creation, ensuring that nothing is overlooked or neglected by Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings,"**: This opening clause establishes a common, observable economic reality of Jesus' day. Sparrows were readily available and extremely inexpensive, often bundled together for sale. The rhetorical question invites the listener to acknowledge this fact, setting the stage for the profound contrast that follows. It highlights the sparrows' perceived worthlessness in human commerce.
* **"and not one of them is forgotten before God?"**: This is the theological core of the verse. Despite their negligible market value and apparent insignificance, Jesus declares that not a single sparrow is "forgotten" by God. The phrase "before God" emphasizes His direct, personal, and constant awareness. This statement profoundly shifts the focus from human valuation to divine providence, asserting God's meticulous and unwavering care for even the smallest of His creatures.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 12:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse begins with a **Rhetorical Question**, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings...?", which is not posed to elicit information but to affirm a widely known fact, drawing the audience into the argument. This sets up a profound **Contrast** between the sparrows' low economic value in human markets and their immeasurable value in God's sight. The core of Jesus' argument is an **A Fortiori Argument** (from the lesser to the greater): if God cares so intimately for something as seemingly insignificant as a sparrow, how much more will He care for human beings, whom He created in His image? This is implied in Luke 12:6 and made explicit in the subsequent verse. The use of the common sparrow as an example serves as a vivid **Analogy**, making a complex theological truth accessible and relatable to the everyday lives of His listeners.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 12:6 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's meticulous providence and His intimate care for His creation, particularly for humanity. It assures believers that their lives, down to the smallest detail, are known and valued by God. This divine attentiveness is not merely passive knowledge but an active, watchful care that provides profound comfort and a basis for unwavering trust, even in the face of life's uncertainties and fears. The verse challenges the human tendency to measure worth by worldly standards, redirecting our focus to God's infinite and unconditional valuation of every individual.

* [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29-31 "Matthew 10:29-31 - God's Care for His Own")
* [Matthew 6:26-30](/matthew/6-26-30 "Matthew 6:26-30 - Do Not Worry")
* [1 Peter 5:7](/1_peter/5-7 "1 Peter 5:7 - Cast Your Anxieties")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 12:6 offers a profound and practical truth for navigating the anxieties and uncertainties of life. In a world that often measures worth by productivity, wealth, or social status, Jesus reminds us that our true value is determined by God's unwavering love and intimate knowledge of us. This verse calls us to release our fears—whether of persecution, financial instability, or personal insignificance—and to anchor our trust firmly in the sovereign care of our heavenly Father. If God meticulously remembers and cares for a common sparrow, how much more does He cherish and watch over His children, for whom He has made the ultimate sacrifice? This truth should cultivate a deep sense of peace, gratitude, and boldness, empowering us to live fearlessly for Christ, knowing that we are never forgotten, always valued, and eternally held in the palm of His hand. It encourages us to live with open hands, trusting God's provision and purpose for every moment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific fears or anxieties do you tend to carry, and how might remembering God's meticulous care for even sparrows help alleviate them?**
* **How does the contrast between human market value and God's divine valuation of life challenge your own perceptions of worth, both for yourself and for others?**
* **In what practical ways can you demonstrate greater trust in God's providence in your daily life, especially when facing seemingly insignificant or overwhelming challenges?**

### FAQ
**Does Luke 12:6 mean God controls every single detail, even negative events?**

Answer: Luke 12:6 emphasizes God's comprehensive knowledge and active care for all creation, including the smallest details. It assures us that nothing, not even a sparrow's fall, is outside of His awareness. While it affirms God's sovereignty and meticulous providence, it does not necessarily imply that God directly causes every negative event. Rather, it highlights His overarching control and presence within all circumstances, assuring believers that even amidst trials, they are not forgotten or abandoned by Him. The verse primarily aims to instill trust and alleviate fear by demonstrating God's unwavering attentiveness to His creation.

**How does this verse relate to the idea of human free will?**

Answer: Luke 12:6 primarily speaks to God's providence and care, not directly to the theological concept of free will. However, it implicitly suggests that God's meticulous oversight does not negate human agency. While God is intimately aware of and cares for every detail, including the actions of His creatures, the verse's purpose is to reassure believers of His constant presence and care, regardless of the choices made by humans or the circumstances that arise. It underscores that even within the framework of human freedom and a fallen world, God's watchful eye and loving concern remain constant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 12:6, while speaking of God's general providence, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The meticulous care of God the Father, demonstrated in His attention to a common sparrow, is perfectly embodied and revealed through the Son. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the ultimate expression of God's valuing of humanity. His incarnation demonstrates that God did not merely observe humanity from a distance but entered into its frailty and suffering. The very hairs of our head are numbered, not just by a distant deity, but by the One who [knows our frame and remembers that we are dust](/psalm/103-14 "Psalm 103:14 - God Knows Our Frame"). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus demonstrated the immeasurable worth God places on each individual, paying the ultimate price for our redemption ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). Furthermore, Jesus' ongoing intercession for His saints ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")) and His promise to never leave or forsake us ([Hebrews 13:5](/hebrebs/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")) are the fullest expressions of the "not forgotten before God" principle. In Christ, believers are not merely sparrows under God's general care, but adopted children, heirs with Christ, eternally secure in the Father's love, for whom [all things work together for good](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - All Things Work for Good") according to His purpose.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 12:24

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Psalms 145:15

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Psalms 145:16

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Matthew 10:29

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

Psalms 50:10

For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Psalms 50:11

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine.

Psalms 147:9

He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry.