87. Trust and Spiritual Preparedness
1In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.a 2Nothing is covered up that shall not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.”3“Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.b 4I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.”
6“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
8“And I tell you everyone who acknowledges me before men the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; 9but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
10“And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against God will not be forgiven."c
11“And when they bring you before the synagogues and before the rulers and the authorities, be not anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; 12for the spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
(Lk. 12:1–4, 6–12)
a “hypocrisy”—hy•poc•ri•sy n. [from the Greek hypokrisis, act of playing a part on a stage, outward show] 1: the act or practice of pretending to be what one is not or to have principles or beliefs that one does not have; esp: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion. (Webster's Unabridged)
b “Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”—Here Jesus is referring especially to his Jerusalem enemies who are secretly planning his destruction. And indeed, after his crucifixion, the closed deliberations of the Sanhedrin plotting his death were subsequently brought to light.
c “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against God will not be forgiven.”—A nonbeliever in Jesus might unknowingly blaspheme the Son of Man; but those who knowingly speak evil of God and ascribe his doings to the forces of evil will hardly repent of their sins. Thus they will have no capacity or opportunity to receive forgiveness.
Lk. 12:2 that shall not (KJV) / that will not (RSV)
Lk. 12:10 against God will / against the Holy Spirit will (RSV)
Lk. 12:12 the spirit will / the Holy Spirit will (RSV) (165:3/1819–20)
