Matthew 10:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

NIV: "So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

NASB: So do not fear them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.

CSB: "Therefore, don’t be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered and nothing hidden that won’t be made known.

NLT: But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.

KJV: Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

NKJV: Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Jesus has been warning His disciples of great persecution that will happen to them as they represent Him and His teaching in the world. After all, a servant should expect to get the same as his master. Since Jesus has been lied about and will be persecuted, the disciples should expect the same (Matthew 10:24–25). He has referred to one source of that persecution: the Jewish religious leaders. They have already called Jesus Satan (Matthew 9:34; 12:24), He told them. How much more will they malign and mistreat His disciples when they begin declaring that Jesus is, in truth, the Son of God?

Now Christ insists that the apostle's response to the coming persecution must not be fear. Jesus is not warning them so they can evade persecution. He is warning them so they can endure persecution: to be ready for it and keep going. In the end, Christ-followers will be proved right and the true motives of Jesus' opponents will be brought to light. Everything that is "covered" and "hidden" will become known. In the very end, all will agree that Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, the Messiah (Philippians 2:9–11). The Jewish religious leaders may label Jesus' disciples as heretics and may even kill them for it, but they will be proved right and faithful before everyone.

Matthew 10:26–33 continues Jesus' encouragement, as He sends the Twelve out with His authority. He commands the apostles to proclaim far and wide what He whispers to them now. Persecution will come to them, but they must not be afraid. Their enemies can only kill their bodies. They should fear God, instead, and understand that their Father cares for them. He will see if they fall. Jesus declares that He, too, will acknowledge to His Father everyone who acknowledges Him to others. Those who deny His identity as God's Son, however, He will also deny.

Jesus gives His authority over disease, demons, and even death to His twelve hand-picked apostles. He gives them instructions in preparation both for a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee and their ministry after He has left the earth. First, they will preach His message of the kingdom in Israelite towns as they heal and cast out demons to demonstrate His power. Later, they will suffer great persecution as they represent Him before both Jews and Gentiles. They should not be afraid, though, and trust their Father to be with them and to reward them.

Jesus has recently expressed compassion for the people of Israel, who are spiritually lost. Matthew 10 is a record of Jesus' instructions to His twelve core apostles, as He sends them on a short-term trip to the towns of Galilee. He also includes warnings and encouragements about the persecution they will eventually experience. In chapter 11, Jesus will continue to proclaim truth to the people of Israel, leading to further conflict with local religious leaders.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.