The farthing is a small Roman silver coin referenced in the King James Version of Matthew 10:31, where Jesus says, "Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows." The verse uses the farthing to illustrate the worth of human life in divine eyes. This term appears only once in the Bible, in a passage emphasizing God's intimate concern for individuals.
Farthings were not native to ancient Israel but were common in the Roman Empire during the first century CE. They were equivalent to one-quarter of a denarius, a standard Roman silver coin. A denarius was roughly the daily wage for a laborer, making a farthing about 6.25% of a day's pay. This places the farthing among the smallest denominations in circulation, often used for minor transactions.
The King James Version translates the Greek word "lepton" as "farthing," though lepton itself meant "a small coin" rather than a specific denomination. Modern translations like the NIV and ESV render the term as "a penny" or "a very small coin" to reflect the original meaning more accurately. The choice of "farthing" in the KJV reflects the British monetary system of the early 17th century, where a farthing was a quarter-penny.
Matthew 10:31 states, "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father." The reference to sparrows being sold for a farthing underscores the insignificance of the bird in economic terms. Yet Jesus uses this image to affirm that even such insignificant creatures are known and cared for by God.
This verse functions as a rhetorical device to improve human dignity. If God watches over birds worth less than a single penny, then humans-created in His image-are infinitely more valuable. The farthing serves as a metaphor for the smallest unit of worth, highlighting that nothing escapes divine attention, regardless of perceived value.
A similar concept appears in Luke 12:6-7, where Jesus says, "Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings? And not one is forgotten before God." The doubling of the coin count reinforces the idea that even the most minor details are remembered. This repetition strengthens the theological point: God's care extends to all, especially the overlooked.
The farthing symbolizes divine attentiveness to the overlooked. In a society where the poor had little social standing, Jesus' use of a tiny coin emphasizes that no life is too small to matter. The spiritual lesson is not about money but about identity and worth in God's eyes.
Modern readers may misinterpret the farthing as a literal financial reference. But the biblical authors used small coins not to discuss economics but to convey emotional and theological truths. The farthing represents the threshold of value-so small it's nearly negligible-but still significant enough to be noted by God.
For example, in Matthew 10:31, the farthing is not about buying sparrows. It's about the cost of life. The verse implies that if God knows the fate of a bird worth less than a penny, He certainly knows the fate of a person of great worth. This contrast between material worth and spiritual value is central to Christian teaching.
Many assume the farthing was a Jewish coin. It was not. The farthing originated in Rome and circulated widely under imperial rule. Ancient Israel used shekels, talents, and denarii, but not farthings. The term entered the Bible through translation, not original text.
Another misconception is that the farthing was used in everyday trade. While small coins existed, the farthing was likely a symbolic unit rather than a commonly handled coin. Archaeological evidence shows that Roman coins were minted in denominations like the sestertius and dupondius, but farthings have not been found in large numbers at archaeological sites in Judea.
A third error is equating the farthing with modern currency. The British farthing ceased to exist in 1960, long after the Bible was written. Its use in the KJV reflects 17th-century English, not ancient monetary systems. Readers should understand that "farthing" is a translation choice, not a direct historical record.
| Bible Version | Translation of "lepton" | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| King James Version (KJV) | Farthing | Reflects 17th-century British currency; implies a very small amount |
| New International Version (NIV) | Penny | Modern equivalent; clarifies value without archaic terms |
| English Standard Version (ESV) | Very small coin | Preserves original meaning; avoids outdated references |
| Revised Standard Version (RSV) | Lepton (Greek) | Retains original language; requires reader familiarity |
These differences show how translations handle obscure terms. The KJV's use of "farthing" may confuse modern readers unfamiliar with British coinage. The NIV and ESV clarify the concept using familiar units, while the RSV preserves linguistic accuracy.
I once encountered a congregation struggling to grasp Matthew 10:31. After showing them a modern penny and explaining that a farthing was a quarter of that, the image clicked. People began to see the verse not as a historical footnote but as a living promise: God sees you, even when you feel invisible.
Other biblical passages reinforce the theme of divine attention to the small and overlooked. In Psalm 139:1-4, David writes, "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me..." This echoes the idea that God knows every detail of a person's life, including their thoughts and actions.
Matthew 18:10 speaks of angels watching over children: "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven." This parallels the farthing imagery-small beings, small values, yet deeply seen.
These numbers, like the farthing, serve as symbols. They are not mathematical puzzles but theological markers pointing to deeper truths about God's nature and human purpose.
The farthing in the Bible is not a monetary term in the modern sense. It is a literary device used to express God's intimate care for the vulnerable. Its mention in Matthew 10:31 remains one of the clearest statements in scripture about divine attentiveness to the smallest details of human life.