A Warning against Hypocrisy

121 At that time, when thousands of the people had come together, in such numbers that they were crushing one another, he said first to his disciples, Have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees, which is deceit. 2 But nothing is covered up, which will not come to light, or secret, which will not be made clear. 3 So, whatever you have said in the dark, will come to men's hearing in the light, and what you have said secretly inside the house, will be made public from the house-tops.

Whom to Fear

4 And I say to you, my friends, Have no fear of those who may put the body to death, and are able to do no more than that. 5 But I will make clear to you of whom you are to be in fear: of him who after death has power to send you to hell; yes, truly I say, Have fear of him. 6 Are not five sparrows given in exchange for two farthings? and God has every one of them in mind. 7 But even the hairs of your head are numbered. Have no fear: you are of more value than a flock of sparrows.

Confessing Christ before Men

8 And I say to you that to everyone who gives witness to me before men, the Son of man will give witness before the angels of God. 9 But if anyone says before men that he has no knowledge of me, I will say that I have no knowledge of him before the angels of God. 10 And if anyone says a word against the Son of man, he will have forgiveness: but for him who says evil words against the Holy Spirit, there will be no forgiveness. 11 And when they take you before the Synagogues and the authorities and the rulers, take no thought about what answers you will give, or what you will say: 12 For the Holy Spirit will make clear to you in that very hour what to say.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 12:1-12

Commentary on Luke 12:1-12

(Read Luke 12:1-12)

A firm belief of the doctrine of God's universal providence, and the extent of it, would satisfy us when in peril, and encourage us to trust God in the way of duty. Providence takes notice of the meanest creatures, even of the sparrows, and therefore of the smallest interests of the disciples of Christ. Those who confess Christ now, shall be owned by him in the great day, before the angels of God. To deter us from denying Christ, and deserting his truths and ways, we are here assured that those who deny Christ, though they may thus save life itself, and though they may gain a kingdom by it, will be great losers at last; for Christ will not know them, will not own them, nor show them favour. But let no trembling, penitent backslider doubt of obtaining forgiveness. This is far different from the determined enmity that is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which shall never be forgiven, because it will never be repented of.