1 In the mean time, when the many thousands of the multitude were
gathered together, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he
began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the
leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is
nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that
shall not be known. 3 Wherefore whatsoever ye have said in the
darkness shall be heard in the light; and what ye have spoken in
the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed upon the
housetops. 4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them
that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will warn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, who after he
hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you,
Fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pence? and not one
of them is forgotten in the sight of God. 7 But the very hairs of
your head are all numbered. Fear not: ye are of more value than
many sparrows. 8 And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess
me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the
angels of God: but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall
be denied in the presence of the angels of God. 10 And every one
who shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be
forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy
Spirit it shall not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before
the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, be not
anxious how or what ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12 for
the Holy Spirit shall teach you in that very hour what ye ought to
say.
When Jesus had bitterly rebuked the public religious teachers of his day
he turned to his disciples and spoke words of cheer which have
strengthened his followers in all days. Such encouragement was needed; the
bitter hatred of his enemies now threatened the life of Jesus, and made it
evident that his disciples could expect no kinder treatment than their
Lord. Then, too, Jesus had shown the special guilt of those who professed
to be guides in matters of religion; his disciples therefore needed
courage to continue their public witness both because of the great
responsibility involved and because it would bring upon them the hatred of
men. He encouraged them, first, by the assurance that the corrupting
influence of the Pharisees would come to an end; their hypocrisy would be
mercilessly unmasked; their power would cease; while on the other hand the
witness of the disciples would not always be confined to places of
obscurity but would be heard in all the world. Vs. 1-3. How truly has this
prophecy been fulfilled! Compare the present influence of Hillel or
Gamaliel with that of Peter or John. No one can measure the power for good
possessed by the humblest witness for Christ.
Jesus further encouraged his disciples by assuring them of the loving care
of God. They should look to him in reverent trust; this would give
confidence and strength and free them from the fear of man. Their enemies
could harm only the body; God controls the eternal destiny of souls, and
to him even the body is precious, and he is concerned with the most minute
details of our lives. If he notes the fall of a sparrow, he must know the
peril and need of every one who is testifying for his Son. Vs. 4-7.
Then again for faithful witnesses there remain great rewards, in spite of
what they now may suffer from men. As they now acknowledge Jesus Christ as
Saviour and Lord, so in the glories of heaven he will acknowledge them as
his true and loyal warriors who merit and will share the blessedness of
his triumphant reign. Vs. 8, 9. On the other hand, those who blaspheme his
name by ascribing his power to a Satanic source, ch. 11:15, will be
regarded as guilty of an unpardonable sin. This would not apply to such as
in ignorance rejected Jesus, but to those who had full opportunity of
knowing him, and who then scoffed at his claims and maliciously insulted
his divine Person, and made of him an impostor and associated him with the
powers of evil. V. 10.
Last of all, in spite of opposition and threats of all the earthly powers,
and in the presence of the most imposing tribunals, the witnesses of Jesus
never need fear, and must never allow themselves to be silenced. The Holy
Spirit, whom their enemies opposed and blasphemed, would speak through
them; he would teach them both how and what to say, vs. 11, 12. This
promise was not designed to encourage indolence or lack of possible
preparation, but to assure the Christian witness that a divine Presence
would ever give him needed wisdom and strength and grace.
It is a grave responsibility to testify for Christ, but it is the duty of
everyone who bears his name; and in this service he can be assured that
the influence will be measureless, the protection unfailing, the reward
heavenly, the sustaining grace divine.