“I
tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:4-7
Luke 12 [1.] Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up, that will not be revealed, nor hidden, that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
Luke 12 [4.] “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Luke 12 [6.] “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12 [8.] “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, him will the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God; but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer, or what you will say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”
Meaning:
Jesus has just warned his disciples against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, reminding them that everything hidden will be revealed (Luke 12:1-3). Following him openly would bring opposition, so he now speaks to their fears. Matthew records the same teaching in Jesus’ instructions to the twelve (Matthew 10:28; Matthew 10:29-31).
- “I tell you, my friends”
In the first three Gospels Jesus rarely calls his disciples “my friends.” The warm address prepares them for hard words. Those who face danger for his sake are not mere servants but friends whom he loves and protects.
- “don’t be afraid of those who kill the body”
Human enemies can do terrible harm, even put a believer to death, but their power ends there. They cannot touch the soul or a person’s eternal future. The psalmist could say, “Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). Many early Christians faced arrest and death, and these words gave them courage.
- “Fear him, who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna.”
Gehenna was the Valley of Hinnom just south of Jerusalem, where children had once been sacrificed to idols. It became a picture of final judgment. The one to fear is God, who holds authority over life, death and eternity. This is not terror of a cruel master but deep reverence for the holy Judge of all. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). The right fear of God frees people from the wrong fear of others.
- “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins?”
Sparrows were among the cheapest food sold in the market. An assarion was a small copper coin. In Matthew two sparrows cost one assarion (Matthew 10:29); here five are sold for two, as if the fifth bird were thrown in for nothing. Yet “Not one of them is forgotten by God.” Even the bird with no market value is held in his memory.
- “the very hairs of your head are all numbered”
God’s knowledge of his people reaches to the smallest detail. The same God who is to be feared is the Father who cares. “Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.” Peter writes in the same spirit, “casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).
The Significance of Luke 12:4-7
- Fear God, not people
Many believers are tempted to stay silent out of fear of disapproval or harm. Jesus teaches that reverence for God puts every human threat in its place.
- Known and valued
No one is forgotten by God. In times of persecution, illness or loneliness, believers can rest in the truth that their Father knows every detail of their lives.
Cross-References:
Matthew 10:28: "Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." Matthew’s parallel.
Matthew 10:29: "Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin?" God’s care for the smallest creatures.
Psalm 118:6: "Yahweh is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Trust that overcomes fear.
1 Peter 5:7: "casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you." God’s care for his people.
Conclusion: Jesus calls his disciples his friends and tells them not to fear those who can only kill the body, but to fear God, who has authority over eternal destiny. That same God does not forget even a sparrow and has numbered the hairs of their heads. Reverence for God and trust in his care set believers free from the fear of people.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible