Matthew 10:28-32

10:28 Do 1  not be afraid of those who kill the body 2  but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 3  10:29 Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? 4  Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 5  10:30 Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. 10:31 So do not be afraid; 6  you are more valuable than many sparrows.

10:32 “Whoever, then, acknowledges 7  me before people, I will acknowledge 8  before my Father in heaven.

1 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated.

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

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

4 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.

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

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

7 tn Or “confesses.”

8 tn Grk “I will acknowledge him also.”

sn This acknowledgment will take place at the judgment. On Jesus and judgment, see Luke 22:69; Acts 10:42-43; 17:31.