Luke 12:7 (WEB)
But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
Catechism · 1
“Nevertheless, Jesus said: "You are of more value than many sparrows", or again: "of how much more value is a man than a sheep!"” — Catechism footnote: Lk 12:6-7; Mt 12:12.
Fathers and councils · 26
John Chrysostom
“To establish this, Christ Himself said, “How many sparrows do ye exceed in value?”” — editor's note: Luke xii. 7. [Very freely cited.]
Read the whole comment
Augustine of Hippo
“However, what our Lord said, “Not a hair of your head shall perish,” might more suitably be interpreted of the number, and not of the length of the hairs, as He elsewhere says, “The hairs of your head are all numbered.”” — editor's note: Luke xii. 7.
Read the whole comment
Tertullian
“Chapter XXVIII.—Examples from the Old Testament, Balaam, Moses, and Hezekiah, to Show How Completely the Instruction and Conduct of Christ Are in Keeping with the Will and Purpose of the Creator.” — editor's note: As narrated by St. Luke xii. 1–21.
Read the whole comment
Jerome
“…he may not recline at the banquet, or sit on a throne, or stand at the right hand of God; he is sent to Gehenna, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.“The hairs of your head are numbered.”” — editor's note: Luke xii. 7.
Read the whole comment
Catena Aurea on Luke
- Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Since unbelief springs from two causes, either from a deeply-seated malice or a sudden fear; lest any one from terror should be compelled to deny the God whom he acknowledges in his heart, He well adds, And I say…
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
For it is not absolutely to every one that this discourse seems to apply, but to those who love God with their whole heart to whom it belongs to say, Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom. 8:3.) But…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
He tells us also, that that death is not terrible for which at a far more costly rate of interest immortality is to be purchased.
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
We must then consider that crowns and honours are prepared for the labours of those upon whom men are continually venting forth their indignation, and to them the death of the body is the end of their persecutions.…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
Their rage then is but useless raving, who cast the lifeless limbs of martyrs to be torn in pieces by wild beasts and birds, seeing that they can in no wise prevent the omnipotence of God from quickening and bringing…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Luke
Observe how our Lord makes His disciples superior to all, by exhorting them to despise that very death which is terrible to all. At the same time also he brings them proofs of the immortality of the soul: adding, I…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
For our natural death is not the end of punishment: and therefore He concludes that death is the cessation of bodily punishment, but the punishment of the soul is everlasting. And God alone is to be feared, to whose…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Here observe, that upon sinners death is sent as a punishment, since they are here tormented by destruction, and afterwards thrust down into hell. But if you will sift the words you will understand something farther.…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Our Lord then had instilled the virtue of simplicity, had awakened a courageous spirit. Their faith alone was wavering, and well did He strengthen it by adding with respect to things of less value, Are not five…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
The dipondius is a coin of the lightest weight, and equal to two asses.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Luke
Now that which in number is one is in weight an ass, but that which is two is a dipondius.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
But perhaps some one will say, How is it that the Apostle says, Does the Lord care for oxen? (1 Cor. 9:9.) whereas an ox is of more value than a sparrow; but to care for is one thing, to have knowledge another.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Luke
Literally, hereby is signified the quickness of the Divine foresight, which reaches even to the least things. But mystically, the five sparrows justly represent the spiritual senses, which have perception of high and…
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Or these five senses are sold for two farthings, that is, the New and Old Testament, and are therefore not forgotten by God. Of those whose senses are given up to the word of life that they may be fit for the…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Or else; A good sparrow is one which nature has furnished with the power of flying; for nature has given us the grace of flying, pleasure has taken it away, which loads with meats the soul of the wicked, and moulds…
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
It is His care then diligently to know the life of the saints. Whence it follows, But the hairs of your heads are all numbered; by which He means, that of all things which relate to them He has most accurate…
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
Lastly, the numbering of the hairs is not to be taken with reference to the act of reckoning, but to the capability of knowing. Yet they are well said to be numbered, because those things which we wish to preserve we…
Read the whole comment - Cyril of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
Now mystically, indeed, the head of a man is his understanding, but his hairs the thoughts, which are open to the eye of God.
Read the whole comment - Theophylact of OhridCatena Aurea on Luke
Or, by the head of each of the faithful, you must understand a conversation meet for Christ, but by his hair, the works of bodily mortification which are numbered by God, and are worthy of the Divine regard.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Luke
If then such is the majesty of God, that a single sparrow or the number of our hair is not beside His knowledge, how unworthy is it to suppose that the Lord is either ignorant of the hearts of the faithful, or…
Read the whole comment - BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
We must not read, Ye are more, which relates to the comparison of number, but ye are of more value, that is, of greater estimation in the sight of God.
Read the whole comment - Athanasius of AlexandriaCatena Aurea on Luke
Now I ask the Arians, if God, as if disdaining to make all other things, made only His Son, but deputed all things to His Son; how is it that He extends His providence even to such trifling things as our hair, and…
Read the whole comment
Cross-references · 8
Cited together with
Cited together in Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 12:4–7 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Cyril of Alexandria on Luke 12:4–7 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Ambrose of Milan on Luke 12:4–7 (5) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Catechism §342.
Cited together in Catechism §342.
Cited together in The City of God XXII.19.
Parallel passages
Matthew 10:30 and Luke 12:7 share the same wording (9 words).
Matthew 10:31 and Luke 12:7 share the same wording (13 words).