Devine Scripture

Matthew 10:31

What does Matthew 10:31 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:31 means

Drawing a direct conclusion from the preceding illustrations of God's detailed care for sparrows and even human hairs, Jesus declares, "Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." This is the sum of His comforting argument. If God cares so intimately for seemingly insignificant creatures and tiny details, He certainly cares infinitely more for His chosen children. This command to "fear not" is grounded in their immense value in God's eyes, providing a profound assurance of His protective love and sovereign control over their lives, empowering them to face any danger without paralyzing fear.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then have no fear; you are of more value than a flock of sparrows.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

be not therefore afraid, than many sparrows ye are better.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Fear not therefore: better are you than many sparrows.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Fear not therefore; ye are better than many sparrows.

Context

This verse provides the direct logical conclusion and exhortation for the preceding illustrations of God's providential care. It offers the disciples a powerful reason to overcome fear in the face of adversity. This promise of God's care then transitions into the crucial and eternal consequences of confessing or denying Jesus Christ, which is foundational to their mission.

v.30but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

v.31This passage

v.32Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 12:11

    And he said unto them, What man shall there be of you, that shall have one sheep, and if this fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

  • Psalms 8:5

    For thou hast made him but little lower than God, And crownest him with glory and honor.

  • Matthew 6:26

    Behold the birds of the heaven, that they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not ye of much more value than they?

  • 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!

  • 1 Corinthians 9:9

    For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth,

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