Luke - 12:6



6 "Aren't five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Luke 12:6.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? and one of them is not forgotten before God.
Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
'Are not five sparrows sold for two assars? and one of them is not forgotten before God,
Are not five sparrows sold for a penny? and yet not one of them is a thing forgotten in God's sight.
Are not five sparrows given in exchange for two farthings? and God has every one of them in mind.
Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And yet not one of these is forgotten in the sight of God.
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? Yet not one of them has escaped God's notice.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? - See this explained on Matthew 10:29 (note), from which place we learn that two sparrows were sold for one farthing, and here; that five were sold for two farthings: thus we find a certain proportion - for one farthing you could get but two, while for two farthings you could get five.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings,.... As two were sold for one farthing; see Gill on Matthew 10:29; so in buying and selling, where more money is laid out, things are bought cheaper; the Persic version reads, "for two barley corns":
and not one of them is forgotten before God; a single sparrow, a bird of little value and worth, is taken notice and care of by him; it has its life from him, and is provided for with food by him, and is under his protection; nor does he ever forget it, nor can any thing be done to it, without his permission; it cannot be struck, so as to cause it to fall on the ground, or be taken in a snare, or be killed in any shape, without the knowledge of God: his providence reaches to the minutest creatures and things, and much more then to rational creatures, to men; and still more to his dear children, ministers, and apostles.

five . . . for two farthings--In Matthew 10:29 it is "two for one farthing"; so if one took two farthings' worth, he got one in addition--of such small value were they.
than many sparrows--not "than millions of sparrows"; the charm and power of our Lord's teaching is very much in this simplicity.

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? See notes on Matthew 10:29-33. Sparrows were the cheapest of all birds offered for sale.

Are not five sparrows - But trust as well as fear him.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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