Matthew 10:29

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

Are {G4453} not {G3780} two {G1417} sparrows {G4765} sold {G4453} for a farthing {G787}? and {G2532} one {G1520} of {G1537} them {G846} shall {G4098} not {G3756} fall {G4098} on {G1909} the ground {G1093} without {G427} your {G5216} Father {G3962}.

Aren't sparrows sold for next to nothing, two for an assarion? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's consent.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

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

Matthew 10:29 is part of Jesus' profound instructions to His disciples as He sends them out to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse offers a powerful message of divine care and reassurance in the face of potential danger and persecution.

Context

This verse is situated within a larger discourse (Matthew 10:16-39) where Jesus prepares His disciples for the challenges and opposition they will face. He warns them of persecution, betrayal, and the need for courage. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus tells them not to fear those who can only kill the body but rather to fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. The illustration of the sparrows serves as a profound comfort and foundation for the command not to fear.

Key Themes

  • God's Meticulous Providence: The verse highlights God's absolute sovereignty and detailed oversight over all creation, even the smallest and seemingly most insignificant creatures like sparrows. It emphasizes that nothing happens outside of His knowledge or divine will.
  • Divine Care for Humanity: If God cares so intimately for sparrows, which were sold for a mere "farthing" (a coin of very little value), how much more does He care for His children, who are made in His image and are of infinitely greater worth? This theme is powerfully echoed in Luke 12:7, where Jesus adds that even the hairs of our head are numbered.
  • Fear Not: The core message is one of reassurance and courage. Disciples are encouraged to trust completely in God's protective care, knowing that no harm can befall them without the Father's knowledge and ultimate permission. This truth is a powerful antidote to anxiety and fear in a hostile world.

Linguistic Insights

The term "farthing" in the KJV translates the Greek word assarion (ἀσσάριον), a small Roman copper coin. Two sparrows for an assarion underscored their minimal economic value, making Jesus' point even more striking: something so cheap and common is still under God's watchful eye. The phrase "shall not fall on the ground without your Father" implies not just God's observation, but His active knowledge and permission concerning even the death of a seemingly insignificant bird. This points to His comprehensive control and involvement in all of creation.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 10:29 offers immense comfort and a call to unwavering trust. In times of uncertainty, anxiety, or when facing challenges, this verse reminds us that we are never outside of God's loving and sovereign care. It encourages us to surrender our fears, knowing that our Heavenly Father is intimately aware of every detail of our lives and has our best interests at heart. This divine providence empowers us to live boldly for Christ, confident that nothing can separate us from His love or thwart His ultimate purposes for us, as highlighted in Romans 8:38-39.

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.

  • Luke 12:6

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

  • 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.

  • Psalms 104:27

    These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.

  • Psalms 104:30

    Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

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