Luke 12:7

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

But {G235} even the very {G2532} hairs {G2359} of your {G5216} head {G2776} are {G705} all {G3956} numbered {G705}. Fear {G5399} not {G3361} therefore {G3767}: ye are of more value {G1308} than many {G4183} sparrows {G4765}.

Why, every hair on your head has been counted! Don’t be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 offers profound comfort and reassurance, emphasizing God's meticulous care for every individual. This verse is part of a larger discourse by Jesus to His disciples and a vast crowd, where He addresses themes of hypocrisy, spiritual courage, and divine provision.

Context

Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus warns against hypocrisy and encourages His followers not to fear those who can only harm the body, but rather to fear God who has power over both body and soul (Luke 12:4-5). He then illustrates God's watchful eye by mentioning that five sparrows are sold for two farthings, yet "not one of them is forgotten before God" (Luke 12:6). Verse 7 serves as the powerful conclusion to this illustration, elevating humanity's value far above even the smallest creatures.

Key Themes

  • Divine Omniscience and Providence: The phrase "even the very hairs of your head are all numbered" vividly illustrates God's absolute and intimate knowledge of every detail concerning His creation, especially humanity. This isn't mere observation but active, caring divine providence.
  • Inherent Human Value: Jesus unequivocally states, "ye are of more value than many sparrows." This highlights the immeasurable worth of every human being in God's eyes, a value not based on achievements or status, but on simply being created by Him. For believers, this value is further amplified by their relationship with God.
  • Exhortation Against Fear: The command "Fear not therefore" is a direct consequence of understanding God's detailed care. If God knows and cares about something as seemingly insignificant as the number of hairs on one's head, then His children have no reason to be anxious about life's challenges or threats. This echoes similar assurances found throughout Scripture, such as in Jesus' teaching on not worrying.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "numbered" (arithmeō) implies a precise, exact count, not just a general estimate. This underscores the meticulous nature of God's knowledge and care. The phrase "Fear not" (phobousthe) is a common imperative in the New Testament, frequently used by Jesus to calm His disciples and instill trust in God's sovereignty, particularly in challenging circumstances.

Related Scriptures

This verse has a direct parallel in Matthew 10:30-31, where Jesus gives a nearly identical assurance to His disciples as He sends them out. The concept of God's intimate knowledge and care is also beautifully expressed in Psalm 139, which speaks of God knowing us even before we were formed.

Practical Application

Luke 12:7 serves as a powerful antidote to anxiety and fear in modern life. It reminds us that:

  • God is intimately involved: No detail of our lives, no matter how small, escapes His attention. This brings comfort in times of uncertainty or personal struggle.
  • Our worth is intrinsic: We are valuable to God simply because we are His creation, not because of what we achieve or possess. This can counter feelings of insignificance or self-doubt.
  • Trust overcomes fear: Understanding God's profound care empowers us to release our worries and anxieties to Him, knowing He is sovereign and benevolent. This aligns with the encouragement to cast all our care upon Him.

This verse encourages believers to live with courage, knowing that their lives are held in the secure and loving hands of an all-knowing God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 10:30

    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

  • Matthew 10:31

    Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

  • Matthew 6:26

    Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

  • Isaiah 43:3

    For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt [for] thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

  • Isaiah 43:4

    Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

  • Luke 21:18

    But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

  • 2 Samuel 14:11

    Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember the LORD thy God, that thou wouldest not suffer the revengers of blood to destroy any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, [As] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

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