Luke 12:2
What does Luke 12:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 12:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 12:2 means
Jesus declares that secrecy is an illusion before God. Hidden motives, private plots, and carefully concealed sins will one day be exposed. The warning cuts at hypocrisy’s root: covering what is shameful instead of repenting. God’s light reaches every place we think secure and unseen. This is both sobering and merciful. It urges confession now rather than humiliation later. It promises that injustice and falsehood will not reign forever. Living transparently before God brings freedom from duplicity and the fear of discovery. Jesus points to a final reckoning where truth, not appearances, will stand, calling His hearers to integrity that can bear the light.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But nothing is covered up, which will not come to light, or secret, which will not be made clear.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed: nor hidden that shall not be known.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890but there is nothing covered up which shall not be revealed, nor secret that shall not be known;
Context
Following His warning about the leaven of hypocrisy, Jesus explains why it must be rejected: nothing can remain hidden. This prepares the way for His next words about private speech becoming public and encourages courageous honesty. The sequence presses disciples toward fearless openness—first before God, then before people. Immediately after, Jesus applies this to everyday life and witness, urging His friends not to live in the shadows but in the light, even when opposition comes.
v.1In 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.
v.2This passage
v.3Wherefore 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
- Mark 4:22
For there is nothing hid, save that it should be manifested; neither was anything made secret, but that it should come to light.
- Luke 8:17
For nothing is hid, that shall not be made manifest; nor anything secret, that shall not be known and come to light.
- Ecclesiastes 12:14
For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
- Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
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