Bible Strands
Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses His disciples immediately after warning them to fear the One who holds authority to cast the dead into hell.
The words — The particle οὐχὶ (ouchi) operates as a rhetorical negative meaning "surely not," framing the commercial comparison. The passive verb πωλοῦνται (pōlountai) indicates that sparrows "are being sold" for two assaria, emphasizing their negligible market value.
The thread — The text's claim of God's provision for lowly creatures runs parallel to Luke 12:24, Psalms 145:15, and Psalms 147:9.
Why it lands — The passage states that not one sparrow is forgotten by God despite its cheap price, then commands the reader to stop fearing human threats because God's valuation of the listener exceeds that of many sparrows.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Cross-references
- Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!
- Psalms 145:15 The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season.
- Psalms 147:9 He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.
- Matthew 10:29 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.
- Psalms 50:10 for every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills.
- Psalms 113:5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?
- Luke 12:27 Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.