Nothing Covered That Will Not Be Revealed
1 Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 “Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. 8 “I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels. 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say; 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”
A warning about pretense delivered to a crowd trampling each other, and a promise about what to say when they put you on trial.
Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
The setting is the largest crowd in the book, and the first word is to the twelve. He has just left a dinner where the criticism of the Pharisees was severe Luke 11:39–52, and the immediate application is to his own people.
Which is hypocrisy is this account's gloss, and the word means play-acting. Leaven works invisibly through a whole batch, which is exactly how the habit spreads: nobody decides to be a hypocrite.
But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
The cure offered for pretense is not effort but arithmetic. Every performance has a term on it, so the only question is when the audit comes.
“I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
The teaching on fear is given in Matthew's account Matthew 10:26–33, where the comparison of authorities is set out. What this telling adds is the address: my friends. It is the only place in the Gospels he calls them that while teaching, and it is attached to the hardest instruction in the paragraph.
“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God.
The other account prices them two for one coin; here five go for two, which is the merchant's discount for buying more — the fifth bird is thrown in free. And it is the fifth bird the sentence is about. Not one of the ones nobody paid for is forgotten.
When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how or what you will answer or what you will say;
The scene assumed is a courtroom, and the anxiety named is about preparation. What is promised is not that the trial will be avoided or that the verdict will be favorable.
for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”
The help arrives at the hour rather than in advance, which is why it cannot be stockpiled — and the second volume of this work is largely an account of that promise being kept, from Peter before the council to Paul before governors.
settled What this mark means