Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:30

What does Matthew 10:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:30 means

Expanding on God's meticulous care, Jesus declares, "but the very hairs of your head are all numbered." This hyperbolic statement powerfully conveys God's intimate knowledge and detailed attention to each individual. If God knows every hair, then certainly He knows every aspect of His disciples' lives, including their trials and sufferings. It's an assurance of personal, unwavering divine care, even in the most minute details, meant to alleviate anxiety and instill confidence that they are constantly under His watchful and loving eye, no matter the dangers they face.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the hairs of your head are all numbered.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and of you--even the hairs of the head are all numbered;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but of you even the hairs of the head are all numbered.

Context

Building on the illustration of sparrows, this verse provides an even more intimate and personal example of God's providential care, applying it directly to the disciples. It moves from general oversight to specific, individual knowledge, laying the groundwork for the ultimate conclusion and exhortation to fearlessness, which is explicitly stated in the subsequent verse.

v.29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? and not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Father:

v.30This passage

v.31Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Luke 21:18

    And not a hair of your head shall perish.

  • Luke 12:7

    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

  • Acts 27:34

    Wherefore I beseech you to take some food: for this is for your safety: for there shall not a hair perish from the head of any of you.

  • 1 Kings 1:52

    And Solomon said, If he shall show himself a worthy man, there shall not a hair of him fall to the earth; but if wickedness be found in him, he shall die.

  • 1 Samuel 14:45

    And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? Far from it: as Jehovah liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.

  • 2 Samuel 14:11

    Then said she, I pray thee, let the king remember Jehovah thy God, that the avenger of blood destroy not any more, lest they destroy my son. And he said, As Jehovah liveth, there shall not one hair of thy son fall to the earth.

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