Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to his disciples during his commissioning journey, immediately following his warning in verse 28 to fear God rather than human persecutors. He uses a common market scene to ground his next instruction in divine oversight.
The words — The Greek οὐχὶ (ouchi) translates as "Surely," framing the rhetorical premise that two sparrows sell for an assarion (ἀσσαρίου). The verb πωλεῖται (pōleitai) denotes the commercial transaction, while ἐξ (ex) and ἓν (hen) stress that not a single one falls outside the Father’s allowance.
The thread — This imagery runs parallel to Luke 12:6, which records five sparrows sold for two pennies are not forgotten by God, and echoes Psalm 104:27, where all creatures look to God for their seasonal provision.
Why it lands — The text states that no sparrow hits the ground apart from the Father’s will, asserting direct divine governance over creation. Readers are asked to accept that if God controls the fate of insignificant birds, he actively sustains those who belong to him.
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 two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Cross-references
- Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
- Psalms 104:27 All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.