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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

Matthew 10:31

π. σ. διαφέρετε : once more, as in Matthew 6:26, a comparison between men and birds as to value: ye of more worth than many sparrows; one hair of your head as much worth to God as one sparrow. “It is a litotes to say that there is a great difference between many sparrows and a human being” (Holtz., H.C.). There is really no comparison between them. It was by such simple comparisons that Jesus insinuated His doctrine of the absolute worth of man.

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See also Matthew 10:31 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 31. _FEAR YE NOT - YE ARE OF MORE VALUE_] None can estimate the value of a soul, for which Christ has given his _blood_ and _life_! Have confidence in his goodness; for he who so dearly purchase...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    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 t...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    7. THE MESSENGERS OF THE KINGDOM. CHAPTER 10 1. The Twelve Disciples. (Matthew 10:1 .) 2. Their Commission. (Matthew 10:5 .) 3. Persecutions Promised. (Matthew 10:16 .) 4. Words of Encouragement....

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE CHARGE TO THE TWELVE. The section forms the second of five passages into which Mt. col lected the sayings of Jesus. The Markan account (Matthew 6:7) is followed by Luke 9:1, but Luke 10:2 (the Sev...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    FURTHER SAYINGS ON PERSECUTION. Matthew 10:24_ a_ would hardly be intelligible to the disciples till after Matthew 16:21; Matthew 10:25_ b_ connects with...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE MESSENGERS OF THE KING (Matthew 10:1-4)...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    "Do not fear them; for there is nothing which is covered which shall not be unveiled, and there is nothing hidden which shall not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light. What yo...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    The Church of the Future (1) The Apostolic character, 16. (2) Persecution, 17 25. (3) Consolation the care of the Father, 26 31. (4) The reward, 32. (5) The Christian choice, 33 39. (6) The hosts of...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Christ's Charge to the Apostles This discourse falls naturally into two divisions; of which the first (Matthew 10:5) has reference to the immediate present, the second relates rather to the church of...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE (1) The Apostolic character, 16. (2) Persecution, 17–25. (3) Consolation—the care of the Father, 26–31. (4) The reward, 32. (5) The Christian choice, 33–39. (6) The hosts of...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    CHRIST’S CHARGE TO THE APOSTLES This discourse falls naturally into two divisions; of which the first (Matthew 10:5-15) has reference to the immediate present, the second relates rather to the church...

  • Catena Aurea Commentary

    VER 29. "ARE NOT TWO SPARROWS SOLD FOR A FARTHING? AND ONE OF THEM SHALL NOT FALL ON THE GROUND WITHOUT YOUR FATHER. 30. BUT THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED. 31. FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE, YE...

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _JESUS TAUGHT THE APOSTLES TO FEAR GOD MATTHEW 10:27-33:_ Tribulation does not take away God's love for His people. He told the apostles, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill t...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΦΟΒΕΊΣΘΕPRAES. _imper. med. (dep.) от_ ΦΟΒΈΟΜΑΙ (G5399) бояться, пугаться, ΔΙΑΦΈΡΕΤΕ _praes. ind. act. от_ ΔΙΑΦΈΡΩ (G1308) отличаться, быть более ценным (с _gen._ сравнения)....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    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 enem...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    SECTION 23 JESUS COMMISSIONS TWELVE APOSTLES TO EVANGELIZE GALILEE III. JESUS CHALLENGES AND HONESTLY WARNS THE TWELVE OF THE DANGERS AND DIFFICULTIES THAT LIE AHEAD TEXT: 10:16-31 A. PERSECUTION BY...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE, YE ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS. Was ever language of such simplicity felt to carry such weight as th...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    23 The mood of the verb is most important here. The Lord is not telling what would but what may occur. His apostles were frail mortals, easily discouraged, so He does no more than hint at a possible f...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    LATER CHARGES OF JESUS, REFERRING TO WORK AFTER THE ASCENSION. Matthew 10:16 were probably spoken in Holy Week: see Mark 13:9; Luke 21:12....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    CHARGE TO THE TWELVE (Mark 6:7 Luke 9:1 : cp. also Luke 10:2, charge to the Seventy). The first eleven vv. of this great charge (Matthew 10:5) represent Christ's words act

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    MISSION OF THE TWELVE 1. Mission of the Twelve (Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1). This mission was intended partly to prepare the way for visits from Jesus Himself, and partly to train the apostles for their futur...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    MATTHEW’S GOOD NEWS MATTHEW’S *GOSPEL _HILDA BRIGHT_ CHAPTER 10 JESUS CHOOSES 12 MEN AND SENDS THEM AS HIS WORKERS 10:1-4 V1 Jesus called his 12 *disciples to come to him. Then he gave them auth...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 9 The King's Ambassadors - Matthew 9:36; Matthew 10:1 I - THE MISSION. Matthew 9:36 - Matthew 10:1 So far the Kin

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    FEARLESS CONFESSORS OF CHRIST Matthew 10:24-33 The more Christlike we are, the more certainly shall we incur the dislike and hatred of men. Only let us take care that they hate us, not on account of...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    As a result of this, the King calls, equips, and sends forth His disciples. No work can be done to extend His Kingdom that is not the direct outcome of His compassion. To men in communion with that co...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Fear not therefore, &c. Here Christ admonishes us, in our greatest undertakings, to put our trust in God. (St. Bernard)_...

  • Godbey's Commentary on the New Testament

    HE SENDS OUT THE TWELVE Matthew 9:37-38. _“Then He says to His disciples, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest, in order that He may send out th...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Chapter 8, which opens the portion that comes before us tonight, is a striking illustration as well as proof of the method which God has been pleased to employ in giving us the apostle Matthew's accou...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    31._You are of more value _This is true in general of all men, for the _sparrows _were created for their advantage. But this discourse relates peculiarly to the sons of God, who possess a far higher r...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    So long as God gives Him access to the people, He continues His labour of love. Nevertheless, He was conscious of the iniquity that governed the people, although He did not seek His own glory. Having...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE,.... Neither be afraid of men, nor distrust the providence of God; for if that reaches to the meanest of creatures, sparrows, and to that which is of the least account with men,...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Ver. 31. _Fear not therefore_] This is the third time, in six verses, that they and we are bidden to banish this cowardly base passion,...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _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 sparrow...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Fear ye not, therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Why harbor fear? All that the persecuting enemies can destroy or injure is the body, if God should so permit. Only one fear can and sho...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Further consolation:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    When He instructs us to pray, He fully intends to answer such prayer, as we see now in His sending forth His twelve disciples. It is precious to see Him exercising authority to communicate authority t...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    16-42 Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things which gave advantage to their enemies, all meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    Ver. 29-31. 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;...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Matthew 10:31 not G3361 fear G5399 (G5676) therefore G3767 you G5210 value G1308 (G5719) many G4183 sparrows...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    “Do not be afraid therefore, you are of more value than many small birds.” The third reason why they do not have to be afraid is because they are of more value than many small edible birds which can b...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    THEY ARE TO PREACH BOLDLY, REMEMBERING WHOSE THEY ARE, AND ARE NOT TO BE AFRAID FOR THREE REASONS (10:23-33). Having warned His disciples of the opposition that they will face, Jesus now puts everyth...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Peculiar to Matthew, though some of the sayings occur in the other Gospels. As such trials and emergencies did not occur on this journey, some suppose this part of the discourse was uttered at a later...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Matthew 10:31. FEAR YE NOT THEREFORE. In Matthew 10:25 the motive was drawn from the relation to Christ, here from the relation to God: YE ARE OF MORE VALUE, _i.e._, in the sight of God, who is ‘your...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    THAN MANY SPARROWS (πολλων στρουθιων). Ablative case of comparison with διαφερετε (our differ)....

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Matthew 10:31 For us there are two things here: human fear, and Christ's Divine dissuasives from it. I. Our fears. Happily they are not, in this country at least, of the kind that beset these first C...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Our Lord had been sending forth his twelve apostles to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and to work miracles in his name. Having given them their commission, he warned them of the treatment they must...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Matthew 10:16. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and t...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Matthew 10:1. _And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease._ They...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The twelve instructed and sent out. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, Thaddaeus, Simon, Judas. CONCLUSION: The ca...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Matthew 10:1. _He called to him his twelve disciples._ Jesus chose twelve that they might sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:30. And that they might be the twelve foundations...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    30-31. EVEN THE HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD. Assurance of our Father's concern for his children. The next verse shows to whom this applies....

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Ye are of more value._ THE VALUE OF MAN’S NATURE Causes- I. From the capacities of that nature. II. From the fact that he is the object of the special regard and care of Divine providence. III....

  • The children's great texts of the Bible by James Hastings

    DEARER THAN A SPARROW Ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31. We don't value a sparrow very much, do we? Sparrows are so plentiful, so plain-looking, so cheeky and greedy and quarrel...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    MATTHEW—NOTE ON MATTHEW 10:1 The Authoritative Mission of the Messiah’s Messengers. This is Jesus’ second major teaching (see Introduction: Key Themes). It focuses on the disciples’ mission to Israel...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 10 _And when He had called_, &c. Observe that Christ, out of all His disciples, chose principally twelve, as S. Luke shows more at length (vi. 13.). He chose twelve Apostles that they should b...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Matthew 10:25. BEELZEBUB.—In the original, _Beelzebul_, which is probably the true reading in all the places of the New Testament where this name occurs. Two principal explanations h...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION For introductory notes to this chapter, see Matthew 9:35. MATTHEW 10:1 Parallel passages: Mark 6:7; Luke 9:1. Th

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn now in our bibles to the tenth chapter of the gospel of Matthew? In the beginning of the tenth chapter we find Christ sending His disciples out, telling them to go to the lost sheep of t...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 9:10; 1 Corinthians 9:9; Luke 12:24; Matthew 12:11;...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE DISCIPLE AND HIS LORD Matthew 10:24 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We thought it well to present seven names by which the children of God are known in the New Testament. 1. THE FIRST NAME WE SHALL MENTION...

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Old Testament