Matthew 10:31

Matthew 10:31

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

King James Version (KJV)

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Context

This verse concludes Jesus' threefold reassurance to the persecuted apostles, applying the lesson of the sparrows and the numbered hairs with a final call not to fear.

What Does Matthew 10:31 Mean?

Jesus draws His comfort to a conclusion: do not be afraid, for you are worth far more to God than the sparrows He already watches over. The word "therefore" gathers up the preceding promises -- the sparrow that does not fall unnoticed, the hairs of the head all numbered -- and presses them toward a single command: fear not. Jesus reasons from the lesser to the greater. If God attends to creatures of so little market value, how immeasurably more does He care for His own children, who bear His image and are dear to His heart. This is a declaration of worth spoken to disciples who might feel small and vulnerable in the face of opposition. Their value is not measured by the world's estimate or by their circumstances, but by the love of the Father. Such assurance is meant to dissolve fear. When we truly grasp how God values us, the threats that once loomed large shrink before His care. The command "fear ye not" rests on the solid ground of being treasured by God.

In the Original Language

The Greek diaphero, behind "of more value," means to differ or surpass in worth; phobeo is the verb for fear.

Application

When fear arises, remember your worth to God, who values you far above the creatures He faithfully cares for, and let that truth steady you.

Related Verse Explanations

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