Luke 12:6
What does Luke 12:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:6 means
Jesus points to sparrows, inexpensive and common, yet known and remembered by God. If He cares for creatures sold cheaply, nothing in His creation is beneath His notice. Disciples, then, are not abandoned when threatened or overlooked by others. This assurance does not cancel the call to fear God; rather, it frames it with confidence in His compassion. The One who judges also cares. Such knowledge liberates believers from anxious self-protection and the scramble for human validation. It invites humble trust in God’s providence, which operates in the smallest details of life, as a foundation for courageous public faithfulness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Are not five sparrows given in exchange for two farthings? and God has every one of them in mind.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Are not five sparrows sold for two assars? and one of them is not forgotten before God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? and one of them is not forgotten beforeGod.
Context
After commanding a proper fear of God, Jesus provides tender proofs of the Father’s nearness and care. He moves from the most ordinary of birds to His disciples, arguing from lesser to greater. This teaches that reverence for God does not contradict confidence in His love. The next verse deepens the comfort by highlighting God’s exhaustive knowledge, preparing the way for the call to confess Christ publicly without fear.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 145:15
The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food in due season.
- Psalms 113:5
Who is like unto Jehovah our God, That hath his seat on high,
- Luke 12:24
Consider the ravens, that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye than the birds!
- Psalms 147:9
He giveth to the beast his food, Andto the young ravens which cry.
- Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:
- Luke 12:27
Consider the lilies, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, Even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
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