MAT 10:26-31

Fear God Alone

26"Do not fear them, therefore. For nothing is covered that will not be uncovered, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

27What I say to you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim from the rooftops.

28And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

29Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

30But even the hairs of your head are all counted.

31Do not fear, therefore — you are worth more than many sparrows."

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, fear was a pervasive social force, tied to honor-shame dynamics and the power structures of Roman rule. The admonition to 'fear God alone' would have resonated deeply in a context where fear of human authorities—whether Roman officials, local elites, or synagogue leaders—was a daily reality. The distinction between fearing those who can kill the body and fearing the One who can destroy both body and soul in Gehenna reflects Jewish apocalyptic thought, where Gehenna symbolized divine judgment. The mention of sparrows sold for an assarion (a small Roman coin) highlights the economic struggles of the poor, for whom even such insignificant creatures held value. Yet, Jesus assures that God’s care extends even to these, underscoring divine providence in a precarious world. The call to proclaim openly what is heard in secret challenges the secrecy often required under oppressive regimes, urging boldness rooted in trust in God’s ultimate authority.

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How other translations render this

MAT 10:26

KJV: Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.
BSB: 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.
Koinōnos: Do not fear them, therefore. For nothing is covered that will not be uncovered, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

MAT 10:27

KJV: What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
BSB: What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops.
Koinōnos: What I say to you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim from the rooftops.

MAT 10:28

KJV: And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
BSB: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Koinōnos: And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

MAT 10:29

KJV: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
BSB: Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
Koinōnos: Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

MAT 10:30

KJV: But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
BSB: And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Koinōnos: But even the hairs of your head are all counted.

MAT 10:31

KJV: Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
BSB: So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Koinōnos: Do not fear, therefore — you are worth more than many sparrows.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 10:26

do fear:The word translated 'do fear' here carries the sense of reverential awe and respect, not merely being scared. It implies a deep honor and submission to a powerful authority.

MAT 10:28

body,:The term used for 'body' in this context refers to the physical, mortal part of a person, which is subject to death and decay.
soul:The word translated 'soul' here refers to the life principle, the inner self, or the essence of a person that is distinct from the physical body and is considered immortal.
to destroy:The word translated 'to destroy' in this context refers to a complete and utter ruin, not merely an end to existence, but a state of eternal loss and suffering.