Matthew 10:31

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

Fear ye {G5399} not {G3361} therefore {G3767}, ye {G5210} are of more value {G1308} than many {G4183} sparrows {G4765}.

So do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

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

Context of Matthew 10:31

Matthew chapter 10 records Jesus' instructions to His twelve disciples as He sends them out on their first missionary journey. He warns them of the persecution and opposition they will face, yet repeatedly encourages them not to fear. Verses 26-30 build a powerful argument for this lack of fear, emphasizing God's ultimate knowledge and control over all things. The preceding verses, Matthew 10:29-30, specifically state that not even a single sparrow falls to the ground without the Father's knowledge, and that the very hairs of His disciples' heads are all numbered. Matthew 10:31 serves as the concluding and comforting summation of this divine providence, directly linking God's care for the seemingly insignificant with His profound care for His chosen ones.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Meticulous Care: This verse underscores God's active involvement and intimate knowledge of all creation, down to the smallest detail. It highlights that nothing is outside His awareness or control.
  • Inherent Value of Believers: The core message is the immense worth God places on His followers. If He cares for sparrows, which were common and inexpensive, how much more does He value humans, especially those who serve Him? This truth combats feelings of insignificance or worthlessness.
  • Overcoming Fear through Trust: The direct command, "Fear ye not therefore," is a powerful antidote to anxiety, worry, and fear of persecution. It calls believers to rest in the confidence that God's watchful eye and loving hand are upon them, providing security in uncertain times.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Fear ye not" (Greek: mē phobēthēte) is a strong imperative, a direct command from Jesus for His disciples to cease fearing. It’s not merely a suggestion but an instruction based on a profound truth. The comparison to "sparrows" (Greek: strouthia) is significant. Sparrows were among the cheapest birds sold for food, often two for a farthing (Matthew 10:29), emphasizing their low monetary value. By contrasting this with the disciples' "more value," Jesus highlights God's estimation of human life, particularly His faithful, as immeasurably precious.

Related Scriptures

This verse offers profound comfort and a foundation for trusting God's care in everyday life and in the face of adversity. A parallel passage in Luke 12:6-7 reinforces this teaching, noting that five sparrows are sold for two farthings, yet God forgets none of them. This underscores the unwavering nature of God's attention.

The practical application for believers today is immense. In a world filled with uncertainties, anxieties, and even direct opposition to faith, Matthew 10:31 reminds us that we are never overlooked or forgotten by God. It encourages us to:

  • Cast our anxieties upon Him: Knowing our immense value to God empowers us to cast all our care upon Him, trusting that He cares for us.
  • Find peace in His sovereignty: Understanding that God is aware of even the smallest details of creation provides a foundation for peace, even when circumstances seem chaotic.
  • Live boldly without fear: If God values us so highly, there is no need to fear what man can do to us or what tomorrow may bring, because our lives are ultimately in His secure hands.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's personal, intimate, and protective love for each of His children, affirming our worth and calling us to a life of fearless trust.

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 12:24

    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 8:5

    For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:9

    For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

  • 1 Corinthians 9:10

    Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

  • Matthew 12:11

    And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift [it] out?

  • Matthew 12:12

    How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

  • 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?

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