4Jesus said, "And I say to you, my friends: do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do. [12:5] But I will show you whom to fear: fear the one who, after killing, has authority to throw into Gehenna. Yes, I say to you, fear this one. [12:6] Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? And not one of them is forgotten before God. [12:7] But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear — you are worth more than many sparrows."
LUK 12:4-7
Fear God Alone
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, fear was deeply tied to power dynamics, particularly in the context of Roman authority and Jewish eschatology. The Roman Empire maintained control through fear of physical punishment and death, a reality familiar to Jesus’ audience. Yet, Jesus redirects this fear toward God, who holds ultimate authority over life and death, including the power to cast into , a term evoking divine judgment and eternal consequences. This contrasts sharply with the limited power of human authorities. The mention of sparrows sold for highlights their insignificance in the marketplace, yet Jesus emphasizes God’s intimate care even for these creatures. In a culture where honor and shame governed social relationships, Jesus’ assurance that God values His followers more than sparrows would have been profoundly comforting, affirming their worth in a system often dismissive of the marginalized. The term underscores the relational bond between Jesus and His listeners, framing His words as both a warning and a reassurance.
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How other translations render this
LUK 12:4
- KJV
- And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
- BSB
- I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.
- Koinōnos
- Jesus said, "And I say to you, my friends: do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do.
LUK 12:5
- KJV
- But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
- BSB
- But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!
- Koinōnos
- But I will show you whom to fear: fear the one who, after killing, has authority to throw into Gehenna. Yes, I say to you, fear this one.
LUK 12:6
- KJV
- Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
- BSB
- Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.
- Koinōnos
- Are not five sparrows sold for two assaria? And not one of them is forgotten before God.
LUK 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.
- BSB
- And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
- Koinōnos
- But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear — you are worth more than many sparrows.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 12:4
- friends:The word translated 'friends' here emphasizes a deep, personal bond of affection and loyalty, suggesting a relationship of mutual trust and care.
LUK 12:5
- authority:The term translated 'authority' refers to the legitimate right or power to act, often implying a delegated or inherent capacity to make decisions and enforce them.
- hell.:The word translated 'hell' refers to Gehenna, a valley outside Jerusalem historically associated with child sacrifice and later used as a garbage dump, becoming a metaphor for a place of fiery judgment and destruction.
LUK 12:6
- assarion:The 'assarion' was a small Roman copper coin, worth about 1/16th of a denarius (a day's wage for a laborer), indicating a very low value.