Matthew 10:26

What does Matthew 10:26 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 10:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 10:26 means

Despite facing slander and persecution, Jesus encourages His disciples with the command: "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known." This promise offers comfort and motivation. It assures them that ultimately, all truth will come to light. The present darkness of false accusations and hidden motives will be exposed by God's perfect judgment. This future revelation should empower them to speak openly and without fear, trusting that God will vindicate His truth and His faithful messengers in His own time.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Have, then, no fear of them: because nothing is covered which will not come to light, or secret which will not be made clear.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Ye may not, therefore, fear them, for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Therefore fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid, that shall not be known.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Fear them not therefore; for there is nothing covered which shall not be revealed, and secret which shall not be known.

Context

This verse directly offers comfort and strength in the face of the false accusations and intense opposition mentioned in the previous verse. It acts as a transitional verse, shifting the focus from the nature of the persecution to the courage required to overcome it. This encouragement to fearlessness then sets the stage for the explicit command to boldly proclaim the message.

v.25It is enough for the disciple that he be as his teacher, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his household!

v.26This passage

v.27What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 4:19

    But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge ye:

  • Isaiah 41:14

    Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith Jehovah, and thy Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

  • 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.

  • Isaiah 51:12

    I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou art afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man that shall be made as grass;

  • Luke 12:2

    But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.

  • Jeremiah 1:8

    Be not afraid because of them; for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith Jehovah.

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