1 In
the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so
that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of
all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which
is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that
will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have
spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the
ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends,
do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that
they can do.
5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has
killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for
two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head
are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many
sparrows. 8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of
Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men
will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “And anyone who speaks a word
against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes
against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 “Now when they bring you to the
synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you
should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach
you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Commentary
Vs. 1-2 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
Now while Jesus was rebuking the lawyers and Pharisees an innumerable multitude of people gathered together so that they trampled one another (vs. 1). Jesus public denunciation of them then was drawing onlookers from everywhere who themselves were likely extremely excited by Jesus’ boldness in declaring the truth about them and to them. However, Jesus’ wasn’t a “revolutionary” seeking to stir up the multitudes to forward His own agenda and gain. And so, turning away from the clamoring crowds and turning to His disciples, He now says: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.” Therefore, Jesus first wants us all to be discerning, and not be taken in by the outward appearances and the smooth talk of men, especially those who profess faith, who look and act the most religious, but whose persons, hearts, and lives deny it. For such is the Pharisees whose persons, lives, and doctrine outwardly looked very religious and righteous to men and yet they’re persons and lives were only full of hypocrisy, unbelief, and lawlessness. Therefore, Jesus also tells us all not to worry about such things when we discover them, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.” They’re time then is now, as the rulers and leaders of this Godless world, but in the regeneration when Christ Reigns all such men and women will be fully exposed, and they will never again lead (mislead) anyone or anything.
Vs. 3 “Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”
Here the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that the so-called secret conversations (that always reveal the heart of an individual) that took place and take place in the dark (so that no one would see) and in the inner rooms (so that no one would hear) will be proclaimed on the housetops! Thus, the backbiting, back stabbing slanderous words, schemes, and plots that took place in secret will all be fully exposed and fully attributed and charged to those who spoke, orchestrated, and participated in them.
Vs. 4-5 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
The Lord Jesus then in rebuking them now also tells us as His friends that as He has been bold in declaring and living God’s truth, so we too as His disciples must be bold and fearless in doing the same. Because as He says those who oppose it can only kill the body but after that they can no more harm to us (vs. 4). Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ says we are to fear One and One only, and that is God in heaven, whom after He has killed, has the power to cast into hell! Therefore, Jesus says to us all fear Him, and Him alone, and not fear the threats of men, and thus never capitulate or compromise one’s faith so as to try to save oneself from harm from them.
Vs. 6-7 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Having warned us all to fear God and Him alone, Jesus now draws an analogy that would’ve made immediate sense to His audience, to demonstrate to them (and us all) that God is not ignorant or silent too of any of our plights as we live in this life, seeking to obey and please Him alone. Therefore, Jesus asks them, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.” Thus, just as a couple of common little birds are sold for offerings, which no one would pay any attention too, and yet God does not forget them, that their lives are going to be laid down in His service. So how much more does He remember us, whose persons and lives He by own Son’s death and shed blood on the Cross He has redeemed forever for His Person and service. Therefore, Jesus tells us all not to fear, because the very hairs of our head are all numbered by Him! Therefore Jesus is essentially telling us all if God cares for and watches over the sparrows of the sky how much more does He care for and watch over us!.
Vs. 8-12 8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Having told us all not to fear those who can only kill the body but cannot do us no more harm, for it is God who keeps and perseveres our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ now says that those who confess Him before men, He will also confess before the angels of God, (that is confess that these are His people). Here confession is not a passing confession, but is deeply heartfelt and it remains with us who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ throughout our lives. Thus, in good times and in bad, when we stand tall, or when we stumble and fall, even during ones darkest trials and tribulations, or suffering persecution for one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a true Christian will not deny (i.e. abandon their faith in) and confession of, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vs. 10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.”
Here Jesus tells that there is still hope for those who have spoken a Word against the Son of Man. Whether this is simply unbecoming speech or even the worst kinds of language, those who have spoken a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven it when they repent and believe in Him. Hoverer the Lord Jesus Christ here warns that those who blasphemy the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, because to attribute Jesus’ miraculous works done by the Holy Spirit’s power to the devil reveals that they’re hearts are so hardened and darkened that whatever spiritual sight and illumination of Jesus Christ that they once had they have forever rejected, because they can now speak and say such things about Him and His Spirit who is Most Holy. This then is the sin of the scribes and Pharisees who made open public sport of attributing the Lord Jesus Christs healing a man by the Holy Spirit’s power to the devil (see Matt. 12:32-37).
Vs. 11-12 11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The Lord Jesus now tells us all who believe in Him that when we are brought before the authorities (whether these are religious or secular authorities) for our faith in Him, we are not to worry about how or what we should answer or what we should say (vs. 11). “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” vs. 12 We then as His people will be given the right words to speak in accordance with that situation, so that we may be His witnesses’ and spokesmen. We then do not need to rehearse what we will say.
Scripture Quotations
Commentary
Vs. 1-2 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
Now while Jesus was rebuking the lawyers and Pharisees an innumerable multitude of people gathered together so that they trampled one another (vs. 1). Jesus public denunciation of them then was drawing onlookers from everywhere who themselves were likely extremely excited by Jesus’ boldness in declaring the truth about them and to them. However, Jesus’ wasn’t a “revolutionary” seeking to stir up the multitudes to forward His own agenda and gain. And so, turning away from the clamoring crowds and turning to His disciples, He now says: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.” Therefore, Jesus first wants us all to be discerning, and not be taken in by the outward appearances and the smooth talk of men, especially those who profess faith, who look and act the most religious, but whose persons, hearts, and lives deny it. For such is the Pharisees whose persons, lives, and doctrine outwardly looked very religious and righteous to men and yet they’re persons and lives were only full of hypocrisy, unbelief, and lawlessness. Therefore, Jesus also tells us all not to worry about such things when we discover them, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.” They’re time then is now, as the rulers and leaders of this Godless world, but in the regeneration when Christ Reigns all such men and women will be fully exposed, and they will never again lead (mislead) anyone or anything.
Vs. 3 “Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”
Here the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that the so-called secret conversations (that always reveal the heart of an individual) that took place and take place in the dark (so that no one would see) and in the inner rooms (so that no one would hear) will be proclaimed on the housetops! Thus, the backbiting, back stabbing slanderous words, schemes, and plots that took place in secret will all be fully exposed and fully attributed and charged to those who spoke, orchestrated, and participated in them.
Vs. 4-5 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
The Lord Jesus then in rebuking them now also tells us as His friends that as He has been bold in declaring and living God’s truth, so we too as His disciples must be bold and fearless in doing the same. Because as He says those who oppose it can only kill the body but after that they can no more harm to us (vs. 4). Therefore, the Lord Jesus Christ says we are to fear One and One only, and that is God in heaven, whom after He has killed, has the power to cast into hell! Therefore, Jesus says to us all fear Him, and Him alone, and not fear the threats of men, and thus never capitulate or compromise one’s faith so as to try to save oneself from harm from them.
Vs. 6-7 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Having warned us all to fear God and Him alone, Jesus now draws an analogy that would’ve made immediate sense to His audience, to demonstrate to them (and us all) that God is not ignorant or silent too of any of our plights as we live in this life, seeking to obey and please Him alone. Therefore, Jesus asks them, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.” Thus, just as a couple of common little birds are sold for offerings, which no one would pay any attention too, and yet God does not forget them, that their lives are going to be laid down in His service. So how much more does He remember us, whose persons and lives He by own Son’s death and shed blood on the Cross He has redeemed forever for His Person and service. Therefore, Jesus tells us all not to fear, because the very hairs of our head are all numbered by Him! Therefore Jesus is essentially telling us all if God cares for and watches over the sparrows of the sky how much more does He care for and watch over us!.
Vs. 8-12 8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Having told us all not to fear those who can only kill the body but cannot do us no more harm, for it is God who keeps and perseveres our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ now says that those who confess Him before men, He will also confess before the angels of God, (that is confess that these are His people). Here confession is not a passing confession, but is deeply heartfelt and it remains with us who truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ throughout our lives. Thus, in good times and in bad, when we stand tall, or when we stumble and fall, even during ones darkest trials and tribulations, or suffering persecution for one’s faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, a true Christian will not deny (i.e. abandon their faith in) and confession of, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Vs. 10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.”
Here Jesus tells that there is still hope for those who have spoken a Word against the Son of Man. Whether this is simply unbecoming speech or even the worst kinds of language, those who have spoken a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven it when they repent and believe in Him. Hoverer the Lord Jesus Christ here warns that those who blasphemy the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, because to attribute Jesus’ miraculous works done by the Holy Spirit’s power to the devil reveals that they’re hearts are so hardened and darkened that whatever spiritual sight and illumination of Jesus Christ that they once had they have forever rejected, because they can now speak and say such things about Him and His Spirit who is Most Holy. This then is the sin of the scribes and Pharisees who made open public sport of attributing the Lord Jesus Christs healing a man by the Holy Spirit’s power to the devil (see Matt. 12:32-37).
Vs. 11-12 11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The Lord Jesus now tells us all who believe in Him that when we are brought before the authorities (whether these are religious or secular authorities) for our faith in Him, we are not to worry about how or what we should answer or what we should say (vs. 11). “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” vs. 12 We then as His people will be given the right words to speak in accordance with that situation, so that we may be His witnesses’ and spokesmen. We then do not need to rehearse what we will say.
Scripture Quotations
New King James Version (1982): Thomas Nelson
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