Matthew 10:29 - Printer Friendly

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

NIV: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care.

NASB: Are two sparrows not sold for an assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

CSB: Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's consent.

NLT: What is the price of two sparrows — one copper coin ? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.

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

NKJV: Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.

Jesus has just declared to the apostles that they should fear most of all the one who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). The main thrust of His point was that we ought to be more concerned with God, and His will, than with the opinions or attacks of worldly people.

Now, Christ adds that a proper relationship with God does not rest solely on fear of God's power to destroy. It also springs from confidence in God's care. Christians should trust Him because He is watching and aware of them and will provide for them—even up to and through the point of death.

Jesus illustrates this by describing God's care for sparrows. God created every form of life on earth, including the lowly sparrow. In Israel at this time, one could buy two sparrows for a penny. Luke's gospel mentions a volume discount of five sparrows for two pennies (Luke 12:6). The poorest of Israelites consumed sparrows for food. They had very little value in the culture. Still, not a single sparrow dies without God knowing it. He is ever and always aware of all He has created.

The point is that if God cares about sparrows, He obviously cares about His own people more. They surely will not fall to the ground without the Father knowing and caring. This does not mean God will always prevent harm from coming to His children (Matthew 5:3–12). Confidence comes to believers in knowing that nothing happens without God's knowledge and care: hard times are not a sign that God has forgotten us.

Jesus refers to God here as "your Father," making clear to His apostles that God sees them as children who are in a personal relationship with Him. They need not fear the wrath of the persecutors, because their Father God is watching and will be there for them, even if they die.

Matthew 10:26–33 continues Jesus' encouragement, as He sends the Twelve out with His authority. He commands the apostles to proclaim far and wide what He whispers to them now. Persecution will come to them, but they must not be afraid. Their enemies can only kill their bodies. They should fear God, instead, and understand that their Father cares for them. He will see if they fall. Jesus declares that He, too, will acknowledge to His Father everyone who acknowledges Him to others. Those who deny His identity as God's Son, however, He will also deny.

Jesus gives His authority over disease, demons, and even death to His twelve hand-picked apostles. He gives them instructions in preparation both for a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee and their ministry after He has left the earth. First, they will preach His message of the kingdom in Israelite towns as they heal and cast out demons to demonstrate His power. Later, they will suffer great persecution as they represent Him before both Jews and Gentiles. They should not be afraid, though, and trust their Father to be with them and to reward them.

Jesus has recently expressed compassion for the people of Israel, who are spiritually lost. Matthew 10 is a record of Jesus' instructions to His twelve core apostles, as He sends them on a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee. He also includes warnings and encouragements about the persecution they will eventually experience. In chapter 11, Jesus will continue to proclaim truth to the people of Israel, leading to further conflict with local religious leaders.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.