Luke 21:18

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

But {G2532} there shall not {G3364} an hair {G2359} of {G1537} your {G5216} head {G2776} perish {G622}.

But not a hair of your head will be lost.

Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.

And not a hair of your head shall perish.

This verse is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, where He is teaching His disciples about the signs preceding the destruction of the temple and His second coming. He warns them of intense persecution they will face for His name's sake, including betrayal by family, hatred from all nations, and being brought before kings and rulers.

Context

Immediately before this verse (Luke 21:16-17), Jesus details the severe opposition the disciples will encounter: they will be betrayed, some will be put to death, and they will be hated. Verse 18 comes as a powerful promise of divine protection and assurance in the midst of these terrifying predictions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Protection: The central theme is God's absolute care and protection over His faithful followers, even when they face mortal danger.
  • Assurance in Persecution: It provides comfort and strength to those who are persecuted for their faith, assuring them that their lives are ultimately in God's hands.
  • God's Sovereignty: It speaks to God's complete control over all things, including the fate of individuals, implying that nothing can happen to His children without His permission or purpose.
  • Ultimate Preservation: While some believers might suffer physical death (as mentioned in the preceding verse), this promise signifies that their true life, their soul, and their ultimate well-being are secure and will not "perish" in the eternal sense.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "not an hair of your head perish" is an idiom used in both the Old and New Testaments to signify complete safety and preservation, even in situations of extreme peril. The Greek word for "perish" is apollymi (ἀπόλλυμι), which can mean to destroy, lose, or be ruined. In this idiomatic expression, it emphasizes that nothing of ultimate value or significance to the believer will be lost or destroyed under God's watch, despite physical suffering.

Cross-References / Related Verses

Reflection and Application

This verse offers immense comfort to believers facing any kind of hardship, opposition, or persecution for their faith. It reminds us that our lives are held securely in God's hand. While we are not promised immunity from physical harm or death in this world, we are guaranteed that nothing the enemy or the world throws at us can ultimately destroy what truly matters – our relationship with God and our eternal destiny. This promise empowers us to stand firm and endure, knowing that God's protective plan for us cannot be thwarted.

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.

  • 1 Samuel 14:45

    And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: [as] the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

  • 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.

  • Acts 27:34

    Wherefore I pray you to take [some] meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

  • 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.

  • 1 Samuel 25:29

    Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, [as out] of the middle of a sling.

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