Luke 12 7

Luke 12:7 kjv

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

Luke 12:7 nkjv

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 niv

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 esv

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:7 nlt

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.

Luke 12 verses

Luke 12 7 Meaning

Luke 12:7 conveys a profound truth about God's intimate and meticulous knowledge of His people, and His incomparable care for them. It declares that even the smallest, most personal details, like the number of hairs on one's head, are fully known to God. This truth serves as the absolute foundation for a direct command to dispel fear, assuring believers that their worth in God's eyes far exceeds that of seemingly insignificant creatures, even those specifically cared for by Him. The verse underscores God's complete sovereignty and boundless love, providing a deep source of security and peace amidst any earthly trial or opposition.

Luke 12 7 Context

Luke 12:7 is part of a longer discourse by Jesus to His disciples concerning radical trust in God. It immediately follows Jesus' teaching on who to truly fear: not those who can kill the body, but God, who can destroy both soul and body (Luke 12:4-5). He then illustrates God's care using the example of sparrows, inexpensive birds, before emphasizing the unparalleled value of human beings, particularly His followers. The verses leading up to this point prepare the disciples for potential persecution and the necessity of openly acknowledging Christ. This specific verse, therefore, serves as a direct antidote to fear in the face of such adversities, providing comfort and assurance based on God's omniscient and benevolent character. The broader context of Luke 12 addresses issues like hypocrisy, covetousness, worry about earthly provisions, and being prepared for the Lord's return, all pointing to a life lived in complete dependence and trust in God's providential care.

Luke 12 7 Word analysis

• Indeed (alla, ἀλλά): This conjunction often functions as an emphatic "but" or "indeed." Here, it introduces a strong affirmation, underscoring the truth of what follows and drawing a contrast with any potential fear or doubt. It signals an important truth that logically counters the command not to fear man.
• the very hairs of your head: This is a powerful metaphor for extreme intimacy and comprehensive knowledge. Hair is countless in human perception, constantly growing, shedding, and regenerating, making its exact number humanly unfathomable. By asserting that even these are numbered, Jesus illustrates God's total, personal, and meticulous knowledge of each individual's being, down to the minutest detail. This detail surpasses human comprehension or ability.
• are all numbered: From the Greek pasai ēarithmēntai (πᾶσαι ἠρίθμηνται). Ēarithmēntai is a perfect passive indicative verb, meaning the counting was done in the past, and the result of that counting continues to exist in the present. This signifies God's complete, finished, and abiding knowledge; it is not a current tallying but an eternally present fact. God isn't "trying to keep track"; He already knows perfectly and perpetually. This underscores His omniscience and divine intentionality in creation.
• Do not fear: From the Greek mē phobeisthe (μὴ φοβεῖσθε). This is a present imperative with a negative particle (mē), which typically means "stop fearing" if already ongoing, or "do not habitually fear." It's a direct command to cease a state of anxiety or terror, especially in response to earthly dangers or persecution, drawing a stark contrast to fearing human threats as mentioned in the preceding verses.
• therefore: From the Greek oun (οὖν). This conjunctive adverb signals a logical deduction or consequence. Because God has such intimate, perfect, and ongoing knowledge and care (evidenced by the numbering of hairs), the logical and necessary response is to not fear. This links God's character directly to the believer's freedom from anxiety.
• you are of more value: The Greek phrase implies "you yourselves are much more [valuable]." This comparative statement highlights the incomparably greater worth God places on human beings, especially His disciples. This value is inherent to being created in God's image and further magnified by His saving grace.
• than many sparrows: Sparrows (strouthion, στρουθίον) were among the cheapest and most common birds, often sold for food at very low prices (two for a penny, or five for two pennies, in Matt 10:29). While these birds are so inexpensive that one could be thrown in for free, and are seen by human eyes as negligible, Jesus asserts that even they do not fall to the ground without God's knowledge (Matt 10:29). By comparing human value to "many" sparrows, Jesus stresses the vastness of God's care and love for humanity beyond what one could ever comprehend or earn, contrasting it sharply with human perception of value based on scarcity or economic worth. This comparison elevates the value of believers from the perceived insignificance of sparrows to immense importance in God's sight.

Luke 12 7 Bonus section

This verse encapsulates a fundamental theological truth known as divine Providence – God's ongoing activity in sustaining, governing, and overseeing all of creation, and particularly His watchful care over His people. The "numbered hairs" signify a personal and continuous providence, assuring that no detail of a believer's life falls outside of God's benevolent will and oversight. It implies that every event, no matter how small or seemingly accidental, is either directly willed or permitted by God for His divine purposes, ultimately for the good of those who love Him. This perspective contrasts sharply with ancient pagan beliefs where deities were often seen as capricious, indifferent, or distant from the daily lives of humans, and reinforces the uniquely personal and relational nature of the God of the Bible. It also implicitly reminds us of human distinctiveness and dignity in God's creation (Gen 1:26-27), reinforcing why we are of such "more value" than animals, regardless of their own value in creation.

Luke 12 7 Commentary

Luke 12:7 is a powerful message of comfort and assurance, rooted in the attributes of God. It directly addresses the natural human tendency towards fear and anxiety, especially in the face of external threats or daily concerns. Jesus reveals God as not just an omnipotent Creator, but an intimately involved Father who is painstakingly aware of every minute detail concerning His children. The image of "hairs numbered" is not mere poetic license but a divine declaration of ultimate knowledge, implying a depth of care and foresight that goes beyond human capacity. This knowing is the basis for His providential watch over all aspects of their lives. Therefore, if God is aware of the fate of a common, seemingly insignificant sparrow and governs even that, His concern for a human life, created in His image and loved through redemption, is infinitely greater. This profound truth calls believers to live without the grip of fear, trusting implicitly in God's unfailing love, unceasing attention, and sovereign control, regardless of circumstance. The primary implication is absolute trust in God over fear of human opposition or life's uncertainties.