Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As indicated in the verses cited in the question, I would say that the sparrow is being cited as an example of a creature that is small, insignificant, or of little apparent value from a human perspective, as indicated particularly both by their relative abundance in comparison with humans, and also by the low price that humans assign to them when selling or purchasing them.

Jesus said that, despite their great number and humble status, God (as their original Creator) does not allow even one of them to die without His specific knowledge and permissive will. If God's omniscience and omnipotence extend that level of oversight and concern to such a seemingly trivial and abundant life form, then He will surely care and provide much more for humans whom He not only also originally created, but also created in His own image.

May 25 2020 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does a sparrow symbolise in the Bible?

Jesus uses the sparrow to illustrate God's constant watchfulness. Passages such as Matthew 10:29-31 and Luke 12:6-7 highlight God's attentiveness to even common creatures, assuring humans of His greater love and protection. This symbolism encourages trust in God's providence and aims to alleviate fear and anxiety.

In the Psalms, the sparrow can symbolise finding a sense of belonging and peace in God's presence. Psalm 84:3 reflects the soul's desire to be close to God for refuge and security.

Psalm 84:3, Rotherham Bible: "Even the sparrow hath found a home and the swallow a nest for herself where she hath laid her young. Thine altars, O Yahweh of hosts, my king and my God!"

The composer of Psalm 84​—one of the sons of Korah, who served at the temple for one week every six months—​noticed those nests in the temple area. Longing to be like the swallow that had a permanent home in Yahweh's house, he exclaimed: "How lovely your grand tabernacle is, O Yahweh of armies! My whole being yearns, yes, I am faint with longing, for the courtyards of Yahweh... Even the bird finds a home there and the swallow a nest for herself, where she cares for her young near your grand altar, O Yahwehh of armies, my King and my God!" (Psalm 84:1-3) Do we, along with our young ones, show a similar longing and appreciation for regularly being with the congregation of God's people?​—Psalm 26:8, 12.

Matthew 10:29; Rotherham Bible: "Are not two sparrows for a farthing sold? And one from among them shall not fall upon the ground without your Father."

Before sending out his apostles to preach, Jesus helped them to overcome their fear of opposition. (Read Matthew 10:29-31.) He did so by talking about one of the most common birds in Israel: the sparrow. Those birds had little value in Jesus' day. But he told his disciples: "Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's knowledge." Then he added: "You are worth more than many sparrows." Jesus thus assured his disciples that Yahweh valued them as individuals, so they had no reason to fear persecution. The disciples surely recalled Jesus' words when they saw sparrows while preaching in towns and villages. Whenever you see a little bird, remember that Yahweh values you as an individual because you, too, "are worth more than many sparrows." With his support, you can face opposition with confidence.​—Ps. 118:6.

Luke 12:6, Rotherham Bible: "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? And not one from among them hath been forgotten before God."

We may wonder why anyone would buy a sparrow. In Jesus' day, the sparrow was the cheapest of the birds sold as food. Notice that for one coin of small value, a purchaser got two sparrows. But Jesus later stated that if a person is prepared to spend two coins, he would get not four sparrows but five. The extra bird was added as though it had no value at all. Perhaps such creatures were worthless in the eyes of men, but how did the Creator view them? Said Jesus: "Not one of them [not even the one added in] is forgotten by God." (Luke 12:6, 7) Now we may begin to see Jesus' point. If Yahweh places such value on a single sparrow, how much greater worth is a human! 

A sparrow can also symbolise human emotion, such as loneliness and isolation. Psalm 102:7 describes the feeling of being like a lone bird on a roof. Rotherham Bible: "I have watched and am become like a bird sitting alone upon a house-top."

As we see in Psalm 102, even those in the faith can be in pain and struggling to focus on anything else. The psalmist felt "like a solitary bird on a roof," as if he had only his troubles for company. (Ps. 102:7) If you ever feel that way, pour out your heart to Yahweh as the psalmist did. The prayers of the oppressed one​—your prayers—​can help you as you battle negative thoughts. Yahweh promises that "he will pay attention to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their prayer." Psalm 102.17

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