For there is not any thing secret that shall not be made manifest, nor hidden that shall not be known and come abroad.
ου γαρ εστιν κρυπτον ο ου φανερον γενησεται ουδε αποκρυφον ο ου γνωσθησεται και εις φανερον ελθη
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Here begins a new lesson. He speaks directly to the disciples, urging them to lead lives of vigilance and steadfast dedication, knowing that many will look to them as examples. Each person observes the teacher and preacher closely, assessing his character and conduct, and nothing about him remains concealed.
In the Gospel according to Matthew, it is stated, ‘There is nothing hidden that is not revealed, and nothing secret that is not recognised.’ This message naturally finds expression in various contexts, which accounts for its appearance in different sections of the Gospels. Some interpret that this declaration pertains to a concealed virtue, which will ultimately be unveiled during the time of universal judgment, though it is often already evident in the lives of those who embody it.
‘There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be made known.’ Thus, despite our attempts to conceal our wrongdoings, a record exists that is kept by Him, independent of our actions, and it will eventually be disclosed. What is the foundation on which this record is established? Our conscience. While we may sometimes silence it, it remains vigilant, accurately cataloging our actions. What must we do if a multitude of sins are inscribed there? We must seek to erase them. How can we do this? Through tears of repentance. Such tears will cleanse us of all wrongdoing, leaving no trace of the transgressions recorded. However, if we do not take this step, we will have to confront what we have inscribed when we are judged.
In that moment, the truth will resonate powerfully within us, leading us to pass judgment upon ourselves, and the Lord will affirm it. This will result in an unappealing verdict, as everyone will assess themselves, caring little for others. All of this will occur in the blink of an eye: one moment you will see your true self, and in the presence of the Lord, who is ever-present, you will swiftly hear the confirmation of your judgment; then, everything will come to an end.
These are the secrets of the kingdom, conveyed to the people through parables without further clarification; they are entrusted only to the close circle of disciples and initially to just a few. When the disciples inquired of the Lord about the interpretation of this parable concerning the seed, He clarified it for them and also provided specific teachings for their apostolic mission through accessible parables (Mk. 4:21-25, the lampstand; Lk. 8:16-18). The fruit of the Word must be evident in their preaching, and the extent of each individual's fervor will correspond to the depth of the message contained within the Word itself.
Be assured that nothing remains concealed or obscured that will not ultimately be brought to light. If you rely on the inability of those who listen to grasp the truth, much like the Pharisees, and if you express something while depending on their unawareness, hiding your genuine thoughts or speaking in private to keep them in the dark, remember that all the hidden and enigmatic words you have uttered will eventually be unveiled in the brightness of truth. If you can obscure your intentions from humanity, how can you possibly shield them from God? What purpose does pretense serve, as the Pharisees attempt to mask their deceptions? Therefore, do not hesitate to proclaim the truth boldly and publicly!
The teachings regarding the lamp, the hidden and the revealed, the modesty and the abundance, are presented similarly to how they are depicted in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 4:21-25). In the Gospel of Matthew, there is only one teaching concerning scarcity and abundance found in this section, while the other two are mentioned elsewhere (Matt. 5:15 and Matt. 10:26). It is likely that the Lord restated certain teachings on multiple occasions (cf. Matt. 13 and Matt. 25:29), allowing the Evangelists the flexibility to place them according to their judgment. The crucial aspect is not the timing of the statements but the content and manner in which they are expressed.
If the teachings are presented consistently, it is unnecessary to ascertain when a particular statement was made, and efforts to pinpoint exact timing are fruitless when precision cannot be achieved. According to Luke 8:19-21, the account in the Gospel of Luke concerning the arrival of the Lord's pure Mother and brothers is more concise than that of the first two Evangelists (cf. Mt. 12:46-50, Mk. 3:31-35), yet it aligns harmoniously with them.
The Lord Jesus Christ indicated to His disciples that, by drawing upon His divine wisdom, they should exemplify His teachings and openly share the revelations they received in private. He posed the question: “When they light a lamp, shall they put it under a vessel or under a bed, or shall they put it on the candlestick? - For no man hath burnt the candlestick, and covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bier, but layeth it upon the candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.” He emphasized that nothing concealed will remain hidden, nor anything secret go unrevealed.
He urged them to be mindful of what they hear, stating, "in this measure you measure, it will be measured to you and added to you who hear; and whoever has, it will be given to him, and whoever does not have, and what he thinks he has, it will be taken away from him." The wisdom received is amplified for the diligent, while the lack of effort and understanding results in the loss of what one presumes to possess.
As the conversation drew to a close, the Lord sought to ensure the disciples fully comprehended His teachings by asking, “Do you understand all these things?” With their affirmative response, “Yes, Lord!” He presented a brief parable, encouraging them to utilize the knowledge they gained about the Kingdom of God, akin to a householder who skillfully uses both old and new provisions. He explained, “Every scribe, having learnt the kingdom of heaven, is like a homemaker, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.” Through understanding the mysteries of the Kingdom, the Apostles emerged as scribes in a renewed sense, surpassing the Jewish scribes, tasked with proclaiming Christ’s doctrine. They were to blend the old and new laws, affirming the former with the latter, thereby directing their efforts toward one purpose: to disseminate and establish the gracious Kingdom of Christ across the earth.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 18 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS