Luke 11:53 – 12:12

Luke 11

⁵³ When he went away from there, the experts in the law and the Pharisees began to oppose him fiercely and to question him closely about many things. ⁵⁴ They were plotting against him to trap him in something he said. ^[1]

Warning Against Hypocrisy

Luke 12

¹ Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands gathered together so that they were trampling on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be made known. ³ So then, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Fear God, Not People

⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that are not able to do any more. ⁵ But I will show you the one you should fear. Fear him who, after he has killed the body, has authority to throw it into hell. ^[2] Yes, I tell you, fear him!

⁶ “Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? ^[3] And not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. ⁷ Why, even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So stop being afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Confess Christ

⁸ “I tell you, whoever confesses me before other people, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God. ⁹ But whoever denies me in the presence of other people will be denied in the presence of the angels of God. ¹⁰ Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven. But anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. ¹¹ When they bring you before synagogues, rulers, and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourself, or what you will say, ¹² for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you should say.”