“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from you Father’s will… Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29, 31). 

“Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins?  And not one of them is forgotten before God… Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).  

The sparrow is a small bird, which weighs perhaps an ounce.  It is found in many parts of the world.  Sparrows were sold as an inexpensive snack.  One Bible encyclopedia says, “At the present day the markets of Jerusalem and Joffa are attended by many ‘fowlers’ who offer for sale long stings of little birds of various species, chiefly sparrows, wagtails, and larks.  These are also frequently sold plucked, trussed on rows of about a dozen on slender wooden skewers, and are cooked and eaten like kabobs, biblicalcyclopedia.com).    

The wording in Matthew and Luke is slightly different, though the point is the same.  (1) Matthew sets the price for two sparrows for a copper coin (assarion). Luke set the price at five for two copper coins (assarion). There is no difference in meaning.  Sparrows are inexpensive.  There is no contradiction.  Discounts are often given with large quantity.  (2) Matthew reads, “apart from your Father’s will” (NKJV) or “apart from your Father” (ESV). “Will” is supplied by the NKJV translators.  Luke reads, “forgotten before God.”  The meaning is the same.  God knows.  He is aware of what happens to each sparrow. 

In context, Jesus is telling the disciples of the Father’s interest in them.  They would be mistreated and even killed for preaching the Gospel.  The Father would be aware of what they endured and suffered.  He is away of everything on earth, even the death of a small bird.  He cares how men would treat them (cf. Matthew 10:42).  They are reminded of the life to come (cf. Matthew 10:38-39).

When life is difficult and people are unkind and hurtful, when we are mistreated – let us remember that God is aware.  The psalmist wrote, “You number my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8).  Again, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).  A well known song reminds us, “Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares \ His heart is touched with my grief \ When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares” (Song: Does Jesus Care by Frank E. Graeff).