Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
29. one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father ] Two deductions may be drawn (1) That human life is more precious in God’s sight than the life of the lower animals ( Mat 10:31); (2) That kindness to animals is part of God’s law.
The word translated sparrow means any kind of small bird.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Are not two sparrows … – He encourages them not to fear by two striking considerations: first, that God takes care of sparrows, the smallest and least valuable of birds; and, secondly, by the fact that God numbers even the hairs of the head. The argument is, that if He takes care of birds of the least value, if He regards so small a thing as the hair of the head, and numbers it, He will certainly protect and provide for you. You need not, therefore, fear what man can do to you.
Sparrows – The sparrows are well-known birds in Syria. They are small; they are found in great numbers; they are tame, intrusive, and nestle everywhere. They are extremely pertinacious in asserting their right of possession, and have not the least reverence for any place or thing. David alludes to these characteristics of the sparrow in Psa 84:1-12, when he complains that they had appropriated even the altars of God for their nests. Concerning himself, he says, I watch, and am as a sparrow upon the housetop, Psa 102:7. When one of them has lost its mate – a matter of everyday occurrence – he will sit on the housetop alone, and lament by the hour his sad bereavement. These birds are snared and caught in great numbers, but, as they are small, and not much relished for food, five sparrows may still be sold for two farthings; and when we see their countless numbers, and the eagerness with which they are destroyed as a worthless nuisance, we can better appreciate the assurance that our heavenly Father, who takes care of them, so that not one can fall to the ground without his notice, will surely take care of us, who are of more value than many sparrows. – The Land and the Book (Thomson), vol. i. pp. 52, 53.
Farthing – See the notes at Mat 5:26.
Without your Father – That is, God, your Father, guides and directs its fall. It falls only with His permission, and where He chooses.
Mat 10:30
The very hairs of your head are all numbered – That is, each one has exercised the care and attention of God.
He has fixed the number; and, though of small importance, yet he does not think it beneath him to determine how few or how many they shall be. He will therefore take care of you.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Mat 10:29
And one of them shall not fall to the ground.
I. The doctrine of providence. It is involved in difficulties. The text justifies the assertion that it is comprehensive and even universal, especially engaged on behalf of man, more particularly directed to the safety, prosperity, and increase of the Church. The special providence of God extends to every individual among His people.
II. The subject is capable of very extensive and important application. Recognize the hand of God in all the events of life. No such thing as chance. Submit to God amid all trials. For comfort and confidence. Let it guide your practice. A powerful argument to recommend religion to the choice of all men. (D. Katterns.)
A particular providence
I. To illustrate and confirm the doctrine which these words exhibit that there is a particular providence. The Bible reveals this doctrine-His kingdom ruleth over all.
1. The providence of God extends to a meaner order of things-to raiment, birds, lilies; thus it is concerned with events great and small.
2. The providence of God is more extensive and minute than the care of any one part of the creation over another. The most tender mother never counted the hairs of her child, but Gods providence extends to this.
3. The notion which the Scriptures give us of God. He is said to be Governor, but how can He be unless He attend to all the concerns of those over whom He rules. Where is His wisdom if events take place to meet which He is not provided; or His power, if circumstances transpire over which He has no control.
4. If we reject providence, one great part of Scripture must be resigned, that which we call prophecy.
II. To point out the purposes of utility-experimental and practical-to which this doctrine is to be applied.
1. It is calculated to cheer the ministers of Christ under the various difficulties to their success to which they are exposed.
2. It is calculated to console the true Church of God in all parts of the earth.
3. It may serve to sustain the heart of every individual disciple of Christ.
4. It tends to calm the mind while watching the various dispensations of Providence as it respects nations or individuals. (J. Clayton.)
Particular providence of God
In viewing the attributes of God and His relations to us, there are two questions to be considered.
1. Has God the gracious will, the benevolent inclination, to observe and direct the works of creation? and has He sufficient power to discern all His creatures, and to regulate everything respecting them according to His will?
2. What is thus taught us from the consideration of God is confirmed by an attention to our feelings; a persuasion of the superintending providence of God is incorporated with our very nature.
3. An attention to the history of the world shows us that the providence of God is universal. God has used the smallest things to produce the greatest consequences.
4. In the holy volume(1Sa 2:6; 1Ch 29:11-12; Job 5:9; Psa 75:6-7).
(1) It is of unspeakable importance to keep the remembrance of Gods providence fresh upon the mind; the forgetfulness of it is often mentioned in Scripture as an occasion of sin.
(2) This subject excites deep melancholy when we reflect how many oppose the providence of God, and sin against it.
(3) This subject is full of consolation to the pious. (H. Kollock, D. D.)
Sparrows turned preachers
I. Though common in human eyes, God cares for me, chirps the sparrow; then, man, fear not.
II. Though ignorant, God cares for me, chirps the sparrow; then, man, fear not. III. Though feeble and mortal, God cares for me, chirps the sparrow; then, man, fear not. (G. T. Coster.)
Sale of sparrows
At the present day the markets of Jerusalem and Jaffa are attended by many fowlers, who offer for sale long strings of little birds of various species, chiefly sparrows, wagtails, and larks. These are also frequently sold, ready plucked, trussed in rows of about a dozen on slender wooden skewers. (H. B. Tristram, LL. D.)
A minute providence not unworthy of the Divine Majesty
The continued and universal exercise of wisdom and goodness cannot be inconsistent with majesty. The sun, the brightest natural emblem of its Creator, loses none of its excellence, because it not only enlightens powerful emperors, but also permits insects to sport in its beams. (H. Kollock, D. D.)
Special providence in peril
When George Washington had been graciously preserved amidst the terrible carnage which attended Braddocks defeat, he was not ashamed to leave on record this evidence of his faith:-By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me. His friend, Dr. James Craik, who was with him in the battle, was often afterward heard to say:-I expected every moment to see him fall. Nothing but the superintending care of Providence could have saved him from the fate of all around him. Let unbelievers in the special providence of God listen also to the language of the matter-of-fact Dr. Franklin, whom no one will suspect of giving the least countenance to vain theories and old wives fables. The Convention was in session at Philadelphia to frame our Federal Constitution. Weeks and weeks had passed, but strife and confusion so far prevailed that no perceptible good was done. A proposition was then made for daily prayers, and Franklin rose in his place and said: In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers were heard and graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence in our favour. To that kind Providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we forgotten this powerful friend? or do we no longer need His assistance? I have lived a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. (J. Norton.)
Gods care removes our fear
I remember once entering a room where a little blind girl sat on her fathers knee, with one of his arms clasping her. Without saying a word, or making a sign, I stepped quietly up, unclasped his arm, and lifted the child away. As I took her out of the room, her father said, Louie, are you not afraid? You dont know who has you. She answered at once, No, I dont know who has me, and Im not afraid, for I know that you know. (J. Culross, D. D.)
Said Martin Luther, as his eye caught sight of a little bird among the leaves of a tree, one evening, This little fellow has chosen his shelter for the night, and is quietly rocking himself to sleep, without a care for tomorrows lodgings, calmly holding by his little twig, and leaving God to think for him.
Small value of sparrows
The value of a sparrow is just about as little as anything that could come under appraisement. Two of them are sold for a farthing (less than a penny of our money). Two for a farthing, says one evangelist; five for two farthings, says another. A charming discrepancy, says some one-and, indeed, when we think of it, the discrepancy takes us into the very market-place, and we see the humble trading going on. How much? Two for a farthing; but if you take two farthings worth, you shall have one thrown into the bargain; you shall have five. (A. Raleigh, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?] . A Roman AS was one-tenth of a DENARIUS, which was about sevenpence-halfpenny, and one-tenth of sevenpence-halfpenny makes just three farthings.
The word , which we translate farthing, is found among the rabbins in the word aisar, which, according to Maimonides, is equal to four grains of silver, but is used among them to express a thing of the lowest, or almost no value. Our Lord seems to have borrowed the expression, One of them shall not fall on the ground, c., from his own countrymen. In Bereshith Rabba, sec. 79, fol. 77, it is said: In the time in which the Jews were compelled to apostatize, Rab. Simeon, Ben. Jochai, and Eliezer his son hid themselves in a cave, and lived upon dry husks. After thirteen years they came out and, sitting at the mouth of the cave, they observed a fowler stretching his nets to catch birds; and as often as the Bath Kol said dimos, escape! the bird escaped; but when it said spicula, a dart, the bird was taken. Then the rabbin said, Even a bird is not taken without Heaven, i.e. without the will of God, how much less the life of man! The doctrine intended to be inculcated is this: The providence of God extends to the minutest things; every thing is continually under the government and care of God, and nothing occurs without his will or permission; if then he regards sparrows, how much more man, and how much more still the soul that trusts in him!
Fall on the ground] Instead of , Origen, Clement, Chrysostom, Juvencus, and six MSS. of Mathai, read into a snare. Bengel conjectures that it might have been written at first, ; that the first syllable being lost out of the word, , the earth, instead of , snare, became the common reading.
Without your Father.] Without the will of your Father: , the will or counsel, is added here by Origen, Coptic, all the Arabic, latter Persic, Gothic, all the Itala except two; Tert., Iren., Cypr., Novatian, and other Latin fathers. If the evidence be considered as insufficient to entitle it to admission into the text, let it stand there as a supplementary italic word, necessary to make the meaning of the place evident.
All things are ordered by the counsel of God. This is a great consolation to those who are tried and afflicted. The belief of an all-wise, all-directing Providence, is a powerful support under the most grievous accidents of life. Nothing escapes his merciful regards, not even the smallest things of which he may be said to be only the creator and preserver; how much less those of whom he is the Father, Saviour, and endless felicity! See Clarke on Lu 12:7.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Besides, consider, there is a God that governs the world, and by his providence influences and watcheth over the most minute and invaluable beings in it, and preserveth and upholdeth them; it extendeth to the very hairs of your head, and to a sparrow (two of which are sold ordinarily for an assarion, the tenth part of a Roman penny): these little birds fall not when they are shot, without the notice of him who is your heavenly Father, and he will much more regard even your bodies, for you are of more value than many sparrows. Our Lord here,
1. Asserts the providence of God to extend to the most minute things, not to be restrained to things in heaven, or some greater and more noble creatures.
2. He teacheth his disciples to take courage from the consideration of it, as being assured that their greatest enemies should not be able to steal or wrest them out of Gods hands. But if they should die in their testimony, it should be by Gods ordering.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
29. Are not two sparrows sold for afarthing?In Luke (Lu 12:6)it is “five sparrows for two farthings”; so that, if thepurchaser took two farthings’ worth, he got one in additionof suchsmall value were they.
and one of them shall notfall on the groundexhausted or killed
without your Father“Notone of them is forgotten before God,” as it is in Luke (Lu12:6).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?…. A farthing, with the Jews, was a very small coin; according to them it contained four grains of silver b; was the ninety sixth part of a “sela”, or shilling c; and sometimes they make it to be of the same value with an Italian farthing: for they say d, it is of the value of eight “prutahs”: and a “prutah” is the eighth part of an Italian farthing: it is used proverbially to signify a very little thing in the Misna e;
“if of a command, which is light “as a farthing”, which Bartenora explains a “very little thing”, the law says, “that it may be well with thee”, much more of the weighty commands in the law.”
Hence, in Munster’s Hebrew Gospel, it is rendered by , “a little piece of money”; and this was the common price of two sparrows. Our Lord appeals to his disciples, for the truth of it, as a thing well known: according to the question in Luke, five sparrows were sold for two farthings, which makes them somewhat cheaper still. This shows they were of little account.
And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father: some copies add, “which is in heaven”; meaning, that one of them should not be shot, or be killed, without the knowledge, will, and pleasure of God. The design of Christ is to assert the doctrine of providence, as reaching to all creatures and things, even the most minute and worthless: he instances not in men, nor in the beasts of the field, but in the fowls of the air, and in those of the inferior sort, and more useless, in sparrows, yea in little sparrows; as the word may be rendered; whose price was so low, that two are obliged to be put together to fetch the least sum of money current: and yet the providence of God is concerned with each of these; so that not one of them is taken in a snare, or killed with a stone, or shot flying, or sitting, but by the will of God: from whence it may be strongly concluded, that nothing comes by chance; that there is no such thing as contingency with respect to God, though there is to men, with respect to second causes; that all things are firmly ordained by the purpose of God, and are wisely ordered by his providence: and our Lord’s further view is, from this consideration, to animate his disciples to a free, open, and constant preaching of his Gospel, not regarding their lives for his sake; for since their heavenly Father, in his providence, takes care of the meanest, even of the most irrational creatures, so that the life of one of them is not taken away without his will, much more will he take care of them; nor could their valuable lives be lost without his will and pleasure. Much such a way of arguing is used by the Jews, who f say, , “a bird without God does not perish, much less a man”; or, as it is elsewhere g expressed,
“a bird “without God” is not hunted, or taken, how much less does the soul of a man go out of him?”
And again h,
“a bird “without God” does not fly away, much less the soul of a man.”
Two birds, or sparrows, as the word may be rendered, in Le 14:4 were used in cleansing the leper; one was killed, and the other let loose into the open field: and though it might be a contingent thing with men which was killed, and which preserved, yet not with God; and some think the allusion is here to that case.
b Maimon. in Misn. Peah, c. 8. sect. 1. c Maimon. & Bartenora in Misn. Maaser Sheni, c. 4. sect. 3. d Ib. in Misn. Eracin, c. 8. sect. 1. e Cholin, c. 12. sect. 5. f T. Hieros. Sheviith, fol. 38. 4. g Bereshit Rabba, fol. 69. 3. h Midrash Kohelet, fol. 81. 2. & Midrash Esther, fol. 89. 3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Two sparrows ( ). Diminutive of and means any small bird, sparrows in particular. They are sold today in the markets of Jerusalem and Jaffa. “For a farthing” () is genitive of price. Only here and Lu 12:6 in the N.T. Diminutive form of the Roman as, slightly more than half an English penny.
Without your Father ( ). There is comfort in this thought for us all. Our father who knows about the sparrows knows and cares about us.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Sparrows [] . The word is a diminutive, little sparrows, and carries with it a touch of tenderness. At the present day, in the markets of Jerusalem and Jaffa, long strings of little birds, sparrows and larks, are offered for sale, trussed on long wooden skewers. Edersheim things that Jesus may have had reference to the two sparrows which, according to the Rabbins, were used in the ceremonial of purification from leprosy (Lev 14:49 – 54).
Shall not fall. A Rabbinic legend relates how a certain Rabbi had been for thirteen years hiding from his persecutors in a cave, where he was miraculously fed; when he observed that when the bird – catcher laid his snare, the bird escaped or was caught, according as a voice from heaven proclaimed “Mercy” or “Destruction.” Arguing that if even a sparrow cannot be caught without heaven ‘s bidding, how much more safe was the life of a son of man, he came forth.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?” (ouchi duo strouthia assariou polleitai) “Are not two (a pair) of sparrows sold for the price of a farthing?” or half penny. This small, vivacious, impertinent bird of Syria is also found all through the western world; There are numerous varieties of it, Psa 84:3; Mat 18:28.
2) “And one of them shall not fall on the ground,” (kai hen eks auton ou peseitai epi ten gen) “And not even one of them will fall upon the earth,” either exhausted or killed. Nor will He leave your body, which belongs to Him, which is His property, 1Co 6:19-20; Luk 12:6 indicates five sparrows were sold for two farthings.
3) “Without your Father.” (aneou tou patros humon) “Without your Father’s notice,” or apart from His care and concern, Heb 13:5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
Mat 10:29
. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? Christ proceeds farther, as I have already hinted, and declares that tyrants, whatever may be their madness, have no power whatever even over the body: and that therefore it is improper in any persons to dread the cruelty of men, as if they were not under the protection of God. In the midst of dangers, therefore, let us remember this second consolation. As God is the guardian of our life, we may safely rely on his providence; nay, we do him injustice, if we do not entrust to him our life, which he is pleased to take under his charge. Christ takes a general view of the providence of God as extending to all creatures, and thus argues from the greater to the less, that we are upheld by his special protection. There is hardly any thing of less value than sparrows, (for two were then sold for a farthing, or, as Luke states it, five for two farthings,) and yet God has his eye upon them to protect them, so that nothing happens to them by chance. Would He who is careful about the sparrows disregard the life of men?
There are here two things to be observed. First, Christ gives a very different account of the providence of God from what is given by many who talk like the philosophers, and tell us that God governs the world, but yet imagine providence to be a confused sort of arrangement, as if God did not keep his eye on each of the creatures. Now, Christ declares that each of the creatures in particular is under his hand and protection, so that nothing is left to chance. Unquestionably, the will of God is contrasted with contingence or uncertainty (598), And yet we must not be understood to uphold the fate of the Stoics, (599) for it is one thing to imagine a necessity which is involved in a complicated chain of causes, and quite another thing to believe that the world, and every part of it, is directed by the will of God. In the nature of things, I do acknowledge there is uncertainty: (600) but I maintain that nothing happens through a blind revolution of chance, for all is regulated by the will of God.
The second thing to be observed is, that we ought to contemplate Providence, not as curious and fickle persons are wont to do, but as a ground of confidence and excitement to prayer. When he informs us that the hairs of our head are all numbered, it is not to encourage trivial speculations, but to instruct us to depend on the fatherly care of God which is exercised over these frail bodies.
(598) “ La volonte de Dieu est mise a l’opposite de ce que tels Philosophes appellent Contingence: par lequel mot ils signifient un accident qui vient de soy és choses, sans qu’il y ait une certaine conduite d’enhaut.” — “The will of God is contrasted with what such Philosophers call Contingence: a term by which they denote an accident which comes of its own accord in events, without any fixed direction of it from above.”
(599) We have formerly adverted to a leading tenet of the Stoics, that the distinction between pleasure and pain is imaginary, and that consequently the highest wisdom consists in being utterly unmoved by the events of life. The present allusion is to their notion of Fate, a mysterious and irresistible necessity, over which those beings whom they blindly worshipped were supposed to have as little control as the inhabitants of the earth. Calvin demonstrates that the serenity of a Christian differs not more widely from Stoical apathy, than the doctrine of a special Providence which is here taught by our Savior differs from Stoical Fate; that the believer in Providence adores the high and lofty One that inhabiteth, eternity, (Isa 57:15,) who hath, prepared His throne in the heavens, and whose kingdom ruleth over all, (Psa 103:19😉 and, far from viewing the will of God as swayed by a higher power, traces every event to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, (Eph 1:11.) — Ed
(600) “ Je confesse bien que si on regarde la nature des choses en soy, on trouvera qu’il y a quelque Contingence;” — “I readily acknowledge that, if the nature of things in itself be considered, it will be found that there is some uncertainty.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(29) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?The coin mentioned here is not the same as the farthing of Mar. 12:42. The word there is kodrants, the quadrans, or fourth part, of the Roman as; here it is assarion, the diminutive of the as, and equal to the tenth part of the denarius. The fact that the denarius was the average days wages of a soldier or a labourer, gives a fair approximation to its value. The homeliness of the illustration was adapted to the past experience of the apostles. It appears in a yet more homely form, in the five sparrows sold for two farthings of Luk. 12:6, the cheapness that thus tempted the purchaser witnessing to the small account men took of the birds so bargained for.
Without your Father.The primary thought is obviously that the providence of God extends to the very meanest of His creatures. The thoughts with which we in these later days are more familiar may lead us to think of that Providence as more commonly working under the form of fixed and general laws; but, however this may be, the truth remains unaltered, for law itself is but the expression of the will of God, and faith may accept the law as working out a divine purpose of good for the universe and for every free agent who consciously accepts it.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
29. Are not Our Lord now farther states an additional reason for the feeling of safety in suffering in his behalf. They are under an infallible divine protection. Two sparrows The sparrow is the very emblem of a being of little consequence. A farthing Equal to about half a cent of our money. Fall on the ground That is, perish or expire. Without your Father Not their Father, but your Father. They are his creatures, you are his children. They are but animated forms, you are undying souls. They are naturally perishable, you are immortal. They are taken care of not so much for themselves as for you.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“Are not two small birds sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall on the ground without your Father, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
So let the disciples remember Who this One is Who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna. He is their Father Who has counted the hairs on their head. This picture may indicate the proud and loving father who as he watches his baby son grow really does seek to count the hairs that begin to appear. Not all babies are born with a full head of hair. Or it may simply be a description of God’s detailed concern in observing the loss of each hair as it ‘falls on the ground’, just like the small birds sometimes do. But whatever may be the case God does know exactly how many hairs they have, and He will ensure that none of those who are His own perish (Luk 21:18, compare 1Sa 14:45). Absalom preened himself on his own hair, and it brought about his death, but when God takes note of our hair it is a very different matter. We may not even like our hair, but He treasures even that, and He counts every strand because if we are Jesus’ disciples He loves us so much.
Indeed they only have to consider the ‘small edible birds’ (not necessarily sparrows) which can be bought for food. They are sold for two a penny (a penny signifying a coin which was sufficient to buy one day’s portion of bread) for food for the poor, (and five for twopence in the right season (Luk 12:6), when it is buy four, get one free because there is a glut). But ‘your Father’ (not the sparrows’ Father) knows when even the sparrows fall to the ground. How much more then does He know what happens to those whose very hairs are numbered by Him. There is no guarantee that they will necessarily live and survive martyrdom. But they can be absolutely guaranteed that they are safe within the Father’s will and knowledge, and that underneath are the everlasting arms (Deu 33:27).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 10:29-31. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? &c. Our Saviour here goes on to encourage his disciples, from the important consideration of God’s particular providence. “You should consider that your enemies cannot touch even your bodies without your Father’s permission; for the meanest of his creatures are under the protection of his providence; insomuch that nothing befalleth them without his direction or permission.” The Greek word , rendered a farthing, denotes a very small piece of money, about the value of which Commentators are not agreed. Fall on the ground is a Hebrew phrase signifying to perish. See Jos 23:14. 2Ki 10:10 and compare Luk 21:18 with Act 27:34. The next verse is a proverbial expression, which gives a very noble and lively representation of the care God takes of the righteous. See 1Sa 14:45. 2Sa 14:11. 1Ki 1:51-52. Than many sparrows, Mat 10:31, means, “than all the sparrows in the world:” the word many is sometimes put for a great many, or for all. See Dan 12:2 and compare Rom 5:12; Rom 5:21. These verses contain a full proof of the universality of the divine providence; but the singular interpositions of it in favour of good men may, with still additional force, be argued from the prayers and promises offered in Scripture with regard to particular events, and the promises of temporal blessings made to those who fear and serve God. Nor are we much concerned to determine how far any of these are miraculous, and how far the result of general laws, settled in an exact congruity to the temper and conduct of every individual alleged by it, which an omniscient God foresaw, and for which his perfect schemes might easily provide, by methods to us unsearchable. It is plain that Homer thought divine Providence interested itself in the lives of brute animals. See Iliad, lib. 15. ver. 274 and we have a remarkable instance in the book of Jonah of God’s care for all his creatures, small and great; for he urges his compassion to brute creatures as one of the reasons why he would not destroy Nineveh. See Jon 4:11. Grotius, and Doddridge.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Ver. 29. Are not two sparrows, a &c. ] Birds flying seem to be at liberty, yet are guided by an overruling hand: they fly freely, yet fall by Divine dispose, and not as the fowler will. But we are better than many sparrows. God’s providence is punctual and particular, extending even to the least and lightest circumstances of all our occurrences; whatever Jerome thought to the contrary, and Pliny with his Irridendum vero curare agere rerum humanarum illud quicquid est summum: It is a ridiculous thing, saith he, to imagine that God takes care of our particular affairs. How much better St Augustine, Deus sic curat universes quasi singulos, sic singulos quasi solos. God’s providence extends to every particular, both person and occurrence.
a , Magna est emphasis diminutivi. The greatnes is noted in the small matters.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
29. ] any small birds.
] This word, derived from ‘ as ,’ was used in Greek and Hebrew ( ) to signify the meanest, most insignificant amount: see Buxtorf, Lex. Chald. sub voce.
, and yet: see examples in Hartung, Partikellehre, i. 147. 6.
. . . ] which birds do when struck violently, or when frozen, wet, or starved = die, , Luk 12:6 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 10:29 , im. for , small birds in general, sparrows in particular. , a brass coin, Latin as , 1/10 of a = about 3/4d. The smallness of the price makes it probable that sparrows are meant (Fritzsche). We are apt to wonder that sparrows had a price at all. looks like a. Hebraism, but found also in Greek writers, “cannot be called either a Graecism or a Hebraism; in every case the writer aims at greater emphasis than would be conveyed by , which properly means the same thing, but had become weakened by usage” (Winer, 26). . Chrys. paraphrases: (Hom. 34), whence Bengel conjectured that the primitive reading was not but , the first syllable of a little used word falling out. But Wetstein and Fritzsche have pointed out that does not suit that reading. The idea is that not a single sparrow dies from any cause on wing or perch, and falls dead to the earth . . Origen ( c. Celsum , i. 9) remarks: “nothing useful among men comes into existence without God” ( ). Christ expresses a more absolute faith in Providence: “the meanest creature passes not out of existence unobserved of your Father”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
for a farthing. Greek. assarion. Compare Luk 12:6, “five sold for two assarions” is not the same; but the difference may arise from the market price, which varied from time to time. Deissmann tells us that a fragment of a papyrus was discovered at Aegira (in Achaea, on the Corinthian gulf), in 1899, containing part of a market tariff of Diocletian (third century, A.D.), showing that sparrows were sold in tens. The tariff fixed the maximum price of ten for sixteen denarii (about 31/2 d. Eng. In our Lord’s day, therefore, the market value would be Neh 1d. Eng.) See App-51.
of = from among Greek. ek.
on. Greek. epi.
without your Father: i.e. without His knowledge or will.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
29. ] any small birds.
] This word, derived from as, was used in Greek and Hebrew () to signify the meanest, most insignificant amount: see Buxtorf, Lex. Chald. sub voce.
, and yet: see examples in Hartung, Partikellehre, i. 147. 6.
. . .] which birds do when struck violently, or when frozen, wet, or starved = die, , Luk 12:6.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 10:29. , two sparrows for a farthing)[494] In Luk 12:6, we read, five sparrows for two farthings. A reason why men are not to be feared.-, one) sc. one in preference to another.[495]- , shall not fall) To fall on the ground is to die. The use of the future tense implies a condition: if it falls, it does not fall without your Fathers permission.- , without the will of your Father) This is the reading of Irenu[496], Tertullian, Novatian, Cypria[497], Hilary, Augustine, Cassiodorius; also of the Italic, Coptic, Arabic, Gothic, and Persic versions. It is therefore an ancient reading, and one too widely received to be accounted for on the hypothesis of its being a paraphrase, especially since the sense would be complete without the contested words (the will of), as the LXX. in Isa 36:10[498] write , without the Lord, and the Hebrews say, , without heaven. The later Greeks omitted these words, , from the recurrence of the article . The numbered hairs of the faithful, mentioned in the parallel passage of Luk 12:7, correspond to this will.[499]-, your) not their Father.
[494] The , called in Mar 12:42, and rendered mite in that place and elsewhere by the E. V., was about 31/336 of a farthing.-(I. B)
[495] Bengel means, that this is a proof of Gods individual providence even in matters relating to the brute creation.-(I. B.)
[496] renus (of Lyons, in Gaul: born about 130 A.D., and died about the end of the second century). The Editio Renati Massueti, Parisin, a. 1710.
[497] yprian (in the beginning and middle of the third century: a Latin father). Ed. Steph. Baluzii, Paris. 1726.
[498] In the Hebrew also, without Jehovah.-(I. B.)
[499] BD Orig. (omitting ) Vulg. and Rec. Text, have . But sine voluntate is added by abc Hil. 657, 831 Iren. Cypr. 82, 121 (omitting vestri before patris).-ED.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
two: Luk 12:6, Luk 12:7
farthing: “In value a halfpenny farthing, as being the tenth of the Roman penny.” See note on Mat 18:28.
and one: Psa 104:27-30
Reciprocal: Rth 2:3 – hap was 1Sa 25:29 – bound 2Ki 8:5 – the woman Ezr 1:9 – nine Psa 36:6 – thou Psa 50:11 – know Mat 6:9 – Our Mat 6:26 – the fowls Joh 5:17 – My
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
0:29
God’s care for his creatures is the point in this verse. A sparrow was of such little commercial value that two of them could be bought for a farthing, one of the smallest of coins; yet every time one of them is brought down God sees it.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Observe here, 1. The doctrine which our Saviour preaches to his disciples: and that is the doctrine of divine providence; which concerns itself for the meanest creatures: even the birds of the air, and the hairs of our head, do fall within the compass of God’s protecting care.
2. Here is the use which our Saviour makes of this doctrine; namely, to fortify the spirits of his disciples against all distrustful fears and distraction cares.
Learn, That the condsideration of the divine care and gracious providence of God over us and ours, ought to antidote our spirits against all distrustful fears whatsoever. If a hair from the head falls not to the ground without a providence much less shall the head itself; it the very excretions of the body, (such are the hairs,) be taken care of by God, surely the more noble parts of the body, and especially the noblest part of ourselves, our souls, shall fall under his particular regard.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Mat 10:29-31. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing As if he had said, The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things, even to sparrows and the hairs of your heads, which are all numbered. In other words, the meanest of Gods creatures are under the protection of his providence, insomuch that nothing befalls them without its direction; and therefore your enemies cannot touch even your bodies without your heavenly Fathers permission. A most consolatory doctrine this, indeed, and a strong reason why we should exercise a continual dependance on God, and in all circumstances and situations cast our care on him who thus careth for us. Fear ye not therefore Lest ye should be overlooked or neglected, ye, my rational and immortal creatures, especially ye my children, adopted and regenerated, and above all, ye ministers of my word, honoured with so important an employment as that of preaching my gospel: ye are of more value than many sparrows Yea, than the whole species of them: and therefore you may assure yourselves that providence will watch over you.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a {o} farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
(o) The fourth part of an ounce or seven grams.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Third, the same God who will not permit a sparrow to fall to the ground will certainly take care of His faithful servants. The Jews were very familiar of this illustration. [Note: Edersheim, The Life . . ., 1:649.] The poor in Israel ate sparrows since they only cost a fraction of a day’s wage. [Note: Adolf Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, pp. 272-75.] The mention of the disciples’ heavenly Father (Mat 10:29) stresses His care that extends to the numbering of his or her hairs. Often people think that God cares only for the big things in life and is unconcerned about the details. Jesus taught the opposite. God’s concern with details should give us confidence that He controls the larger affairs of life.