1In those times, when myriads of the crowd had gathered so as to trample one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Do take heed to yourselves of the leaven — which is the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. [12:2] Now nothing is concealed which will not be revealed, and nothing hidden which will not be known. [12:3] In place of which, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken to the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops."
LUK 12:1-3
The Leaven of the Pharisees
In the world it was spoken into
For first-century listeners, the mention of "myriads" would immediately evoke an immense, almost uncountable crowd, emphasizing the public nature of the speaker's warning. The term "leaven" carried significant cultural weight in Jewish contexts, often symbolizing pervasive corruption or impurity, particularly in discussions of religious practice. Therefore, to speak of the "leaven of the Pharisees" as "hypocrisy" would have been a pointed critique. 'Hypocrisy' itself, derived from the Greek for an actor, suggested a performance, a discrepancy between inner reality and outward presentation. This would resonate in a society where honor and shame were paramount, and public perception often dictated social standing. The warning to "take heed" would be understood as a serious admonition to guard one's inner disposition, as hidden actions and words, even those spoken "in the inner rooms," were believed to eventually come to light, a common trope reflecting divine justice or the inescapable nature of truth in an honor-shame culture.
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How other translations render this
LUK 12:1
- KJV
- In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- BSB
- In the meantime, a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling one another. Jesus began to speak first to His disciples: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- Koinōnos
- In those times, when myriads of the crowd had gathered so as to trample one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Do take heed to yourselves of the leaven — which is the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.
LUK 12:2
- KJV
- For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
- BSB
- There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.
- Koinōnos
- Now nothing is concealed which will not be revealed, and nothing hidden which will not be known.
LUK 12:3
- KJV
- Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
- BSB
- What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.
- Koinōnos
- In place of which, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken to the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
LUK 12:1
- myriads:The word translated 'myriads' indicates an uncountable number, often used for ten thousands, but here it emphasizes an immense, overwhelming crowd.
- do take heed:The phrase translated 'do take heed' implies a continuous, active attention, like holding one's mind to something, not just a passive awareness.
- leaven:The term 'leaven' refers to a small amount of fermenting dough that causes the whole batch to rise, often used metaphorically to describe a pervasive, corrupting influence.
- hypocrisy:The word translated 'hypocrisy' originally referred to an actor playing a part on a stage, highlighting the idea of pretense and a performance that hides one's true self.