Matthew 10:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Fear {G5399} them {G846} not {G3361} therefore {G3767}: for {G1063} there is {G2076} nothing {G3762} covered {G2572}, that {G3739} shall {G601} not {G3756} be revealed {G601}; and {G2532} hid {G2927}, that {G3739} shall {G1097} not {G3756} be known {G1097}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So do not fear them; for there is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not be known.

Berean Standard Bible

So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 10:26, Jesus provides profound encouragement to His disciples as He commissions them for ministry amidst anticipated opposition. He assures them that despite present challenges and hidden hostilities, divine truth and justice will ultimately prevail. Nothing concealed, whether the Gospel's power or the persecutors' true motives, will remain secret, for all will inevitably be brought into the light of God's sovereign revelation and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within Jesus' extensive discourse on the mission of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:5-42). Immediately preceding it, Jesus has issued stark warnings about the severe persecution His disciples will face—being delivered to councils, scourged in synagogues, and hated for His name's sake (Matthew 10:16-25). Matthew 10:26 serves as a crucial turning point, transitioning from these dire predictions to powerful words of comfort and assurance. It grounds the disciples' courage not in their own strength, but in the ultimate triumph of God's truth and justice, setting the stage for the subsequent exhortation to fear God rather than men (Matthew 10:28).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' instructions were given to Jewish disciples preparing to minister primarily within Jewish communities, where they would encounter opposition from religious authorities and societal rejection. The cultural context involved a strong emphasis on honor and shame, where public exposure of secrets or hidden agendas could be devastating. The concept of divine revelation was deeply rooted in Old Testament prophetic tradition, where God was understood to be the one who "brings to light the deep things of darkness and reveals the hidden things of light" (as seen in [Job 12:22](/job/12-22 "Job 12:22 - God Reveals Deep Things")). This promise of ultimate disclosure would have resonated with their understanding of God's omniscient nature and His eventual establishment of justice.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 10:26 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Gospel and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Omniscience**, asserting that God is ultimately in control and nothing is truly hidden from His sight, whether it be the truth of the Gospel or the hidden motives of those who oppose it. Secondly, it speaks to the **Inevitable Triumph of Truth and Justice**. Jesus assures His followers that the Gospel, though initially preached by a small, vulnerable group, will be openly proclaimed to all, and conversely, the secret plots and injustices of their persecutors will eventually be exposed and judged. This provides a strong basis for **Courage in the Face of Persecution**, as the opening command "Fear them not therefore" directly addresses the human tendency to fear. The certainty of God's ultimate revelation provides the foundation for the disciples to boldly proclaim the message, knowing that their suffering is not unseen and that their adversaries' actions will not remain unpunished, reinforcing the call to endure found in passages like [Matthew 24:13](/matthew/24-13 "Matthew 24:13 - Perseverance to the End").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Greek, _phobéō'_):** From G5399, meaning to frighten or, passively, to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere. In this context, the imperative "Fear them not" (μὴ φοβηθῆτε, _mē phobēthēte_) is a direct command to overcome the natural human tendency to be intimidated or alarmed by the threats and persecution from others. It is a call to courage grounded in a deeper understanding of reality.
* **covered (Greek, _kalýptō'_):** From G2572, akin to G2813 (κλέπτω, _kleptō_, to steal) and G2928 (κρύπτω, _kryptō_, to hide); meaning to cover up, literally or figuratively. Here, it refers to anything concealed, secret, or hidden from public view or knowledge. This could include the divine mysteries of the kingdom, which are initially revealed to a select few, or the hidden intentions and actions of those who oppose God's truth.
* **revealed (Greek, _apokalýptō'_):** From G601, a compound of G575 (ἀπό, _apo_, from) and G2572 (καλύπτω, _kalýptō_, to cover); meaning to take off the cover, i.e., disclose. This word is the direct antonym of "covered" and signifies a complete unveiling or disclosure. It implies that what is hidden will be brought into full light, often with a sense of divine agency in the revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fear them not therefore:"**: This opening clause serves as an imperative command, directly addressing the disciples' potential fear in light of the preceding warnings of persecution. The "therefore" (οὖν, _oun_) links this command directly to the hostile realities Jesus has just described, providing a logical consequence: because these things are true, do not fear. It sets the tone for courage and trust.
* **"for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed;"**: This clause provides the foundational reason for the command not to fear. It asserts a universal principle: no truth, no secret, no hidden reality, whether it pertains to the Gospel's message or the hidden motives of persecutors, will ultimately remain concealed. The passive voice "shall not be revealed" implies a divine agent in this process of disclosure.
* **"and hid, that shall not be known."**: This second parallel clause reinforces and expands upon the first. "Hid" (κρυπτός, _kryptos_) further emphasizes the secretive nature of the concealed item, while "shall not be known" (οὐ γνωσθήσεται, _ou gnōsthēsetai_) indicates a complete and public understanding. This parallelism creates a powerful, emphatic statement about the inevitability of full disclosure and comprehension, leaving no room for permanent secrecy.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 10:26 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the second clause ("and hid, that shall not be known") reiterates and reinforces the meaning of the first ("for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed"). This repetition emphasizes the absolute certainty and comprehensive nature of the promised revelation. The use of **Absolute Language** through words like "nothing" and the double negative "shall not be" (οὐ... οὐδέν, _ou... ouden_) creates a sense of undeniable certainty and hyperbole, stressing that no exception exists to this principle of ultimate disclosure. Furthermore, the concepts of "covered" and "hid" function as **Metaphors** for secrets, concealed truths, or hidden agendas, while "revealed" and "known" serve as metaphors for their complete exposure and understanding. This metaphorical language allows the principle to apply broadly to both the proclamation of the Gospel and the eventual judgment of human actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 10:26 encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's ultimate sovereignty over all things, including truth and judgment. It speaks to His omniscience, affirming that nothing is truly hidden from His sight, and His justice, assuring that all secret deeds, whether good or evil, will eventually be brought into the light. This principle extends beyond mere information to encompass the full disclosure of character, motives, and the ultimate triumph of God's righteous purposes. It provides both comfort to the persecuted, knowing their suffering is seen and their adversaries' true nature will be exposed, and a warning to those who operate in darkness, reminding them of an inevitable reckoning.

* [Luke 12:2](/luke/12-2 "Luke 12:2 - Nothing Hidden")
* [1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Reveals Hidden Things")
* [Ecclesiastes 12:14](/ecclesiastes/12-14 "Ecclesiastes 12:14 - God Judges Every Secret Thing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 10:26 offers enduring encouragement and a powerful challenge for believers today. In a world often characterized by deception, hidden agendas, and the suppression of truth, this verse reminds us that God's ultimate plan is one of transparency and revelation. It empowers us to live with integrity, knowing that our true character and actions will eventually be made manifest, and it emboldens us to speak truth to power, even when it is unpopular or dangerous, because we trust in the ultimate triumph of divine light over darkness. This promise liberates us from the fear of human judgment or the intimidation of those who seek to silence the Gospel, allowing us to boldly proclaim Christ's message and live out our faith transparently, confident that God will ensure all things come to light in His perfect timing and according to His righteous will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty that "nothing covered... shall not be revealed" impact your willingness to speak truth, even in challenging circumstances?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to hide things or operate in secrecy, and how does this verse challenge that inclination towards transparency?**
* **How does the promise of ultimate divine revelation provide comfort and strength when you face injustice, opposition, or feel misunderstood?**

### FAQ
**What exactly does "nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known" refer to?**

Answer: This powerful statement from Jesus has a dual meaning, both of which are crucial for understanding His message to the disciples. Firstly, it refers to the **truth of the Gospel and the mysteries of the Kingdom of God**. While Jesus initially taught His disciples privately and sent them out to specific Jewish towns, the ultimate destiny of His message was to be openly proclaimed to all nations. What was "covered" or "hid" in the early stages of His ministry would eventually be "revealed" and "known" globally through the work of the Holy Spirit and the expansion of the Church (as seen in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness")). Secondly, and perhaps more immediately relevant to the context of persecution, it refers to the **hidden motives and actions of both the disciples and their persecutors**. Jesus assures His followers that their righteous deeds and suffering for His name will not go unnoticed by God, and conversely, the secret plots, injustices, and malicious intentions of those who oppose them will also be fully exposed and brought to light, ultimately leading to divine judgment (a principle echoed in [Romans 2:16](/romans/2-16 "Romans 2:16 - God Judges Secrets")). Thus, it is a promise of ultimate transparency and divine justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 10:26 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of truth revealed, the ultimate "uncovering" of God's redemptive plan for humanity. What was once "covered" in Old Testament prophecy and "hid" in the counsels of God's eternal will has been fully "revealed" in the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus ([Colossians 1:26-27](/colossians/1-26-27 "Colossians 1:26-27 - The Mystery Revealed in Christ")). Jesus Himself is the "light of the world" who came to expose darkness and bring all things into the open ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, Light of the World")). His teachings, initially shared with a select few, were destined to be proclaimed from the housetops and to the ends of the earth, fulfilling the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")). Furthermore, Christ's return will be the final and complete revelation, when He will "bring to light the hidden things of darkness and make manifest the counsels of the hearts" ([1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - God Reveals Hidden Things")), ensuring that all truth is known and all justice is meted out. In Christ, the promise of ultimate revelation is not merely a future hope but a present reality that began with His first advent and will culminate in His glorious second coming.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 8:17

For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither [any thing] hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.

Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Mark 4:22

For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 43:1

¶ But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine.

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.