Luke 21:18

KJV

But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

But not a hair of your head will be lost.

Berean Standard Bible

Yet not even a hair of your head will perish.

American Standard Version

And not a hair of your head shall perish.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 21:18 delivers a profound promise of divine preservation amidst dire warnings of persecution, assuring Jesus's disciples that despite the intense suffering and even martyrdom some may face for their faith, their ultimate well-being and eternal destiny are immutably secure under God's sovereign care. This idiomatic expression conveys an absolute guarantee that nothing of true significance to the believer will be lost or destroyed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Jesus's Olivet Discourse, a significant prophetic teaching delivered on the Mount of Olives. Preceding [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Not a Hair Perish"), Jesus has just detailed the severe tribulations awaiting His followers, including betrayal by family members, hatred from all nations, and being brought before rulers and kings for His name's sake ([Luke 21:12-17](/luke/21-12-17 "Luke 21:12-17 - Warnings of Persecution")). He explicitly states that "some of you shall they cause to be put to death" ([Luke 21:16](/luke/21-16 "Luke 21:16 - Betrayal and Death")). Therefore, [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Not a Hair Perish") stands as a powerful, almost paradoxical, assurance of ultimate safety immediately following the grim prediction of physical death, setting up a crucial tension between temporal suffering and eternal security. The subsequent verse, [Luke 21:19](/luke/21-19 "Luke 21:19 - Endurance and Preservation"), then calls for patient endurance, clarifying the means by which this preservation is realized.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Olivet Discourse, delivered shortly before Jesus's crucifixion, anticipates the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70 and the subsequent persecution of early Christians. The disciples lived in a volatile political and religious climate, where adherence to a new, counter-cultural faith could lead to ostracism, legal charges, and even execution, as seen in the early church's history (e.g., the martyrdom of Stephen in [Acts 7](/acts/7 "Acts 7 - Stephen's Martyrdom") or James in [Acts 12](/acts/12 "Acts 12 - Peter's Escape and James's Death")). The idiom "not a hair of your head perish" was a common expression in the ancient Near East and Hellenistic world, signifying complete safety and preservation, often used in contexts of war or imminent danger (e.g., [1 Samuel 14:45](/1_samuel/14-45 "1 Samuel 14:45 - Jonathan's Deliverance") or [2 Samuel 14:11](/2_samuel/14-11 "2 Samuel 14:11 - Joab's Intercession")). Jesus's use of this familiar phrase would have immediately conveyed a strong sense of absolute, divine protection to His listeners.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Luke's Gospel and biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control over the ultimate fate of His children, even in the face of human malice and persecution. It highlights **God's Meticulous Care for His People**, emphasizing that His concern extends to the smallest details of their lives, as also seen in Jesus's teaching that [the very hairs of your head are all numbered](/luke/12-7 "Luke 12:7 - God's Care for Sparrows and People"). This promise provides a foundational **Assurance in Persecution**, offering comfort and strength to those who suffer for Christ's name, reminding them that their true life and spiritual well-being are eternally secure, regardless of physical harm. Finally, it speaks to the theme of **Ultimate Preservation**, distinguishing between temporal suffering and eternal destruction, implying that while the body may perish, the soul and one's eternal destiny in Christ are inviolable.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hair (Greek, _thríx'_):** This word refers to a single strand of hair. In this idiomatic expression, it represents the smallest, most insignificant part of a person. The use of "hair" here emphasizes the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the promised preservation, suggesting that not even the most minor detail of the believer's life or being will be lost without God's ultimate purpose.
* **not (Greek, _ou mḗ'_):** This is a double negative in Greek, combining `ou` (an objective negation) and `mē` (a subjective or conditional negation). Together, `ou mē` creates the strongest possible denial, signifying "never," "not at all," or "by no means." Its inclusion here emphatically reinforces the absolute certainty of the promise: there is no possibility, under any circumstances, that a hair of their head will perish in the ultimate sense.
* **perish (Greek, _apóllymi'_):** Derived from `apó` (from) and `óllymi` (to destroy), this verb means "to destroy fully," "to lose," or "to ruin." While it can refer to physical death, in the context of this idiom and in contrast to the preceding verse where some will be "put to death," `apóllymi` here carries a deeper theological meaning of ultimate, irrecoverable destruction or eternal ruin. It signifies that despite physical suffering or even martyrdom, the believer's true life, their soul, and their eternal standing with God will not be ultimately lost or destroyed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But there shall not an hair":** This opening phrase, introduced by "But" (G2532 _kaí_ - often translated as "and" or "but" depending on context, here indicating a strong contrast), immediately shifts the focus from the preceding warnings of persecution and death to an absolute assurance. The "not an hair" (G2359 _thríx_) uses a common idiom to signify the smallest, most insignificant part, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the divine protection.
* **"of your head":** This specifies the source of the "hair," reinforcing the personal and comprehensive nature of the promise. It refers to the entirety of the person, indicating that every aspect of their being is under God's watchful eye.
* **"perish":** This final word (G622 _apóllymi_) is the core of the promise. Given the preceding context of physical death, "perish" here must be understood not as a denial of physical harm or even martyrdom, but as a guarantee against ultimate, spiritual, or eternal destruction. It assures that the believer's soul, their relationship with God, and their eternal destiny are secure and cannot be truly lost or ruined by any earthly tribulation.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 21:18 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of assurance. **Idiom** is central, as "not an hair of your head perish" is a well-established phrase in ancient literature, universally understood to mean complete safety and preservation, even in dire circumstances. This idiom functions as a form of **Hyperbole**, using an exaggerated statement (the inability to lose even a single hair) to emphasize the absolute certainty and meticulousness of God's protection. The verse also utilizes **Contrast**, standing in stark opposition to the preceding verses that detail intense persecution and physical death, thereby highlighting the spiritual and eternal nature of the promised preservation. Finally, the verse serves as a **Divine Promise**, offering a declarative statement of future certainty from Jesus, designed to instill hope and courage in His disciples facing impending trials.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 21:18 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering sovereignty and meticulous care over His elect. It underscores the theological truth that while believers may experience temporal suffering, physical harm, and even martyrdom, their ultimate spiritual reality and eternal destiny are held securely in God's hands. This promise does not negate the reality of earthly trials but redefines their ultimate impact, asserting that no earthly power or tribulation can sever the believer from God's redemptive plan or cause them to "perish" in an eternal sense. It points to a deeper, spiritual preservation that transcends physical existence, rooted in God's faithfulness and His ultimate control over life and death.

* [Acts 27:34](/acts/27-34 "Paul's Assurance of Safety")
* [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "God Knows Every Hair")
* [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense comfort and profound strength to believers navigating a world often hostile to faith. In an age where Christians may face various forms of opposition, from social ostracism to severe persecution, Luke 21:18 serves as an anchor for the soul. It reminds us that our true security is not found in the absence of trouble, but in the unwavering presence and power of God. While we are not promised immunity from physical suffering or even death, we are guaranteed that nothing can ultimately destroy our spiritual life, our relationship with Christ, or our eternal inheritance. This truth empowers us to face trials with courage, to stand firm in our convictions, and to endure hardship with a perspective rooted in eternity. It calls us to trust that God's plan for our lives, even through suffering, is ultimately for our good and His glory, and that He will preserve us for His eternal purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the promise of ultimate preservation in [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Not a Hair Perish") comfort you when facing personal challenges or societal pressures against your faith?**
* **In what ways might understanding the difference between temporal suffering and eternal "perishing" change your perspective on hardship?**
* **How does this verse encourage you to live boldly for Christ, even when it might lead to difficult consequences?**

### FAQ
**Does "not an hair of your head perish" mean that believers will not experience physical harm or death?**

Answer: No, this idiom does not promise immunity from physical harm, suffering, or even martyrdom. In fact, the verses immediately preceding [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Not a Hair Perish") explicitly state that some disciples "shall they cause to be put to death" ([Luke 21:16](/luke/21-16 "Luke 21:16 - Betrayal and Death")). The phrase "not an hair of your head perish" is an idiom signifying ultimate, complete preservation, not of the physical body from all harm, but of the true self and eternal destiny. It assures that nothing of ultimate value to the believer—their soul, their faith, their relationship with God—will be lost or destroyed in an eternal sense. It emphasizes God's sovereign protection over their spiritual well-being, even when their physical lives are taken.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 21:18 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The promise that "not an hair of your head perish" is not a generic assurance but is rooted in Christ's victory over sin, death, and the grave. Believers are preserved because they are "in Christ," united with Him through faith. His resurrection from the dead ([Luke 24:1-12](/luke/24-1-12 "Luke 24:1-12 - The Resurrection")) is the ultimate guarantee that death has lost its sting and that those who belong to Him will not "perish" eternally ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Jesus Himself endured the ultimate "perishing" on the cross, taking upon Himself the full wrath of God for sin, so that those who trust in Him might have eternal life and never truly perish ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Therefore, the preservation promised in [Luke 21:18](/luke/21-18 "Luke 21:18 - Not a Hair Perish") is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work, His ongoing intercession ([Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession")), and His promise to raise His people on the last day ([John 6:40](/john/6-40 "John 6:40 - Raising on the Last Day")). Our ultimate security is found not in our own strength or circumstances, but in the unbreakable bond we share with the resurrected and reigning Christ, who is our life and our eternal hope ([Colossians 3:3-4](/colossians/3-3-4 "Colossians 3:3-4 - Hidden Life in Christ")).

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

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.