Matthew 10:28-31

10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 10:29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 10:30 Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. 10:31 So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.


tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

sn Judaism had a similar exhortation in 4 Macc 13:14-15.

sn See the note on the word hell in 5:22.

sn The penny refers to an assarion, a small Roman copper coin. One of them was worth one-sixteenth of a denarius or less than a half hour’s average wage. Sparrows were the cheapest items sold in the market. God knows about even the most financially insignificant things; see Isa 49:15.

tn Or “to the ground without the knowledge and consent of your Father.”

sn Do not be afraid. One should respect and show reverence to God, but need not fear his tender care.