But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

LUKE 12:7KJV
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Luke 12:7 (KJV)

What does Luke 12:7 mean?

Luke 12:7 says that God knows each person so intimately that even the number of hairs on their head is counted, so they should not be afraid because they are precious in His sight—worth far more than many sparrows. This verse assures readers of their value and God’s attentive care for them.

In Luke 12:7, Jesus is speaking to His disciples as He prepares them for challenges and opposition. He uses the example of sparrows, which were inexpensive and common birds, to highlight how much more God cares for people. The verse is meant to comfort and encourage, showing that God’s knowledge and concern extend to the smallest details of each person’s life.

The Greek behind Luke 12:7

  • ἀριθμημένοι (arithmēmenoi, “numbered”): This word means carefully counted or tallied. The use of this word emphasizes the thoroughness of God’s attention—nothing about a person is overlooked or forgotten.
  • διαφέρετε (diapherete, “are of more value”): This word carries the sense of being worth more or being more important. Jesus is making a clear comparison to show that human beings have great worth in God’s eyes, far above even the many sparrows He also cares for.

Why Luke 12:7 matters

  • Luke 12:7 corrects the idea that God is distant or unconcerned with everyday details, showing instead that He is deeply attentive to each person.
  • The verse reassures readers facing fear or anxiety that their lives matter greatly to God, which is especially meaningful in the context of Jesus preparing His followers for hardship.
  • This verse ties into the wider passage, where Jesus encourages His disciples not to fear those who can harm the body but to trust in God’s care and ultimate authority.

Where else these words appear

“are” Greek G705 · used in 3 verses

  • Matthew 10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
  • Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

“sparrows” Greek G4765 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
  • Matthew 10:31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
  • Luke 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

“value” Greek G1308 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
  • Luke 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
  • 1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

“hairs” Greek G2359 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
  • Luke 7:38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.
  • John 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.