Preface: Jesus speaks both to His disciples and to an ever-growing crowd, teaching a variety of subjects. These include the hypocrisy of the religious hierarchy, uncovering all that is hidden, not being afraid of those who can only kill the body, the value of each person to God, blaspheming the Holy Spirit, facing persecution, determining what is of true value in this life, logistical grace, selling off all one’s possession, the Lord’s true baptism, bringing division to this earth and signs of the time. Jesus taught several parables in this chapter, including those which feature a master and his slave, a homeowner and his home.

Bible Summary: Jesus said, "Even the hairs of your head are numbered. Sell your possessions. Be ready for the Son of Man. I came to bring division."

This should be the most extensive examination of Luke 12 available, where you will be able to examine in depth every word of the original text.

Outline of Chapter 12:

Preface

Introduction

         vv.     1–3           Jesus Warns About the Hypocrisy of the Religious Hierarchy

         vv.     4–7           Do Not Fear Persecution; God Can Be Trusted

         vv.     8–12         Disciples Should Be Ready to Trust the Holy Spirit When Before Various Authorities

         vv.    13–21         Jesus Teaches the Parable of the Rich Fool

         vv.    22–31         Don’t Be Anxious Over Food and Clothing; the Father Knows What You Need

         vv.    32–34         “Sell Your Possessions”

         vv.    35–48         Parables of the Faithful Servants and the Evil Servant

         vv.    49–53         Jesus Will Bring Division Rather than Peace

         vv.    54–56         Understanding the Time

         vv.    57–59         Make Peace with Your Adversary

Chapter Summary

Addendum

Charts, Graphics and Short Doctrines:

         Preface               Quotations

         Introduction         Titles and/or Brief Descriptions of Luke 12 (by Various Commentators)

         Introduction         Brief, but insightful observations of Luke 12 (various commentators)

         Introduction         Fundamental Questions About Luke 12

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Prequel of Luke 12

         Introduction         The Principals of Luke 12

         Introduction         The Places of Luke 12

         Introduction         By the Numbers

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 12

         Introduction         Outlines and Summaries of Luke 12 (Various Commentators)

         Introduction         A Synopsis of Luke 12 from the Summarized Bible

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         The Big Picture (Luke 10–15)

         Introduction         Paragraph Divisions of Modern Translation for Luke 12

         Introduction 

         Introduction 

         Introduction         Changes—additions and subtractions

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         v.       1              Jesus Speaks Primarily to the Disciples

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         v.       9              The example of Peter denying Jesus

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         v.      28              California Poppy Field (a photograph)

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         Summary            A Set of Summary Doctrines and Commentary

         Summary            Why Luke 12 is in the Word of God

         Summary            What We Learn from Luke 12

         Summary            Jesus Christ in Luke 12

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         Addendum          Garbage Dump (from the 2001 Translation)

         Addendum          The Doctrine of Suffering (by R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

         Addendum          Unforgivable Sin? (From the 2001 Translation)

         Addendum          GREED—PRODUCTIVITY (From the Christian Community Bible)

         Addendum          Comparing Luke 12:22–31 to Matthew 6:25–34

         Addendum          Types of Baptisms (by R. B. Thieme, Jr.)

         Addendum          The Types of Imputations and the Imputations of Salvation (Kukis)

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         Addendum          A Complete Translation of Luke 12

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         Addendum          Doctrinal Teachers Who Have Taught Luke 12

         Addendum          Word Cloud from a Reasonably Literal Paraphrase of Luke 12

         Addendum          Word Cloud from Exegesis of Luke 12

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An Introduction to Luke 12

I ntroduction: In Luke 12, thousands of people come to Jesus, presumably to hear Him teach. However, it is clear that there are a number of religious types in this crowd who are antagonistic to Him (which antagonism, Jesus only alludes to). Jesus somehow takes His disciples aside and teaches them. They are joined by the thousands, but this appears to take place over a period of time. Vv. 1–34 appear to be directed to the disciples; but it is apparent than others come into the periphery of the Lord, little by little, from around v. 35 and forward (I am basing this upon vv. 41 & 54).

Although it appears that Jesus taught all of this at one sitting (so to speak), He taught 9 different short topics and parables. Although there seemed to be some connections between these various topics, it would be hard to put an umbrella over the entire series of topics. My attempt to sum these up would be the relationship of the disciples to God and to Jesus (and the Holy Spirit); followed by their relationships to their fellow man. However, this summation is so broad that it might be applicable to most of the middle chapters of Luke (those chapters which are devoted primarily to teaching).

I had considered dividing this chapter into two large sections: Jesus Speaks to His Disciples and Jesus Speaks to the Assembled Crowd; but there is no clear delineation between this change of focus (and v. 54 is the first time that Jesus specifically addresses the crowds).

In chapters 8–11, we have done a very careful examination of the text, of various incidents, and have come to the conclusion that this center section of Luke (chapters 10–18) is not in chronological order. Whatever we can place in chronological order will be based upon the incident found here and how it compares to texts elsewhere. Some we may be able to place into a reasonable time frame, and some—particularly unique incidents—we cannot.

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Jesus Warns About the Hypocrisy of the Religious Hierarchy

Here is how others have translated this verse:

Ancient texts:                       I will use the Westcott-Hort Greek text as the basis for my English translation. I use that test primarily because e-sword has a nice module by Rob Wolfram which has the interlinear English text, Strong’s #’s, and the Greek morphology. The e-sword tab is IWH+P. I do not use their English text for my translation. Also, throughout, I take in consideration alternate readings.

As a young Christian, I was quite interested in the alternative readings. After many decades of study, I have found that, as with the Hebrew text, disputed readings rarely have any affect on the interpretation of a text (apart from perhaps a half-dozen fairly well-known alternate readings, like the end of the book of Mark).

I will compare the Greek text to English translations of the Latin and Syriac (= Aramaic) texts, using the Douay-Rheims translation and George Lamsa’s translation from the Syriac. I often update these texts with non-substantive changes (e.g., you for thou, etc.).

In general, the Latin text is an outstanding translation from the Hebrew text into Latin and very trustworthy (I say this as a non-Catholic). Unfortunately, I do not read Latin—apart from some very obvious words—so I am dependent upon the English translation of the Latin (principally, the Douay-Rheims translation).

The Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls are irrelevant, as they preceded the writing of the New Testament by over 200 years.

Underlined words indicate differences in the text.

Ancient texts:

Westcott-Hort Text (Greek)    In whom a gathering of the ten-thousand of the crowd, so to tread down one another. He begins to speak facing the disciples of Him first. “Take heed to themselves from the leaven, which is hypocrisy, of the pharisees. But nothing concealed is which will not be uncovered; and a hidden [thing] which will not be known. Therefore, from as much as in the darkness, you [all] have spoken, in the light it will be heard; and to whom, facing the ear, you [all] have spoken in the storeroom, it will be proclaimed upon the rooftop.

Douay-Rheims 1899 (Amer.) And when great multitudes stood about him, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples: Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed: nor hidden that shall not be known.

For whatsoever things you have spoken in darkness shall be published in the light: and that which you have spoken in the ear in the chambers shall be preached on the housetops.

Holy Aramaic Scriptures        And when great crowds had gathered, so many that they would trample one another, Eshu {Yeshua} began to say unto His Disciples, “First of all, take care within your souls {yourselves} from the khimra d’Phrishe {the leaven of the Pharisees}, which is partiality with persons.

Yet, there isn’t anything that is concealed that will not be revealed, and that isn’t hidden that will not be known.

For, all that you say in the keshuka {the darkness}, will be heard in the nahiyra {the light}. And the thing you whisper in the ears, in the closets, will be proclaimed on the egare {the rooftops/the housetops}.

James Murdock’s Syriac NT And when great multitudes were assembled by myriads, so that they trod one upon another, Jesus began to say to his disciples: First of all, beware for yourselves of that leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing hidden, which will not be revealed; nor concealed, that will not be known.

For whatever ye speak in the dark, will be heard in the light; and what in secret chambers, ye whisper in the ear, will be proclaimed on the house-tops.

Original Aramaic NT              And when multitudes of great crowds were gathered together so that they would tread on one another, Yeshua began to say to his disciples, "First, beware among yourselves of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is phoniness."

"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, neither anything secret that will not be known."

"For everything that you will say in darkness shall be heard in the light and whatever you whispered in an ear in an inner chamber will be preached on the rooftops."

Lamsa Peshitta (Syriac)         And when multitudes of great crowds were gathered together so that they would tread on one another, Yeshua began to say to his disciples, “First, beware among yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is phoniness.”

“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, neither anything secret that will not be known.”

“For everything that you will say in darkness shall be heard in the light and whatever you whispered in an ear in an inner chamber will be preached on the rooftops.”

Significant differences: 

English Translations:          I have included translations which I disagree with and footnotes that I do not necessarily agree with. If I believe that the author is too far from the truth, I may even address that at the footnote. However, nearly all of the correct commentary will be found following the Greek text box and the translation of each phrase.

Limited Vocabulary Translations:

Bible in Basic English             At that time, when thousands of the people had come together, in such numbers that they were crushing one another, he said first to his disciples, Have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees, which is deceit. 

But nothing is covered up, which will not come to light, or secret, which will not be made clear. 

So, whatever you have said in the dark, will come to men's hearing in the light, and what you have said secretly inside the house, will be made public from the house-tops.

Bible in Worldwide English     Many thousands of people had gathered. They stepped on each other. Jesus began to talk to the disciples. He said, Take care. Do not let the yeast of the Pharisees spoil you. They are not true to themselves. Everything that is covered up will be seen. Everything that is hidden will be known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light. What you have said in secret with the door shut will be told from the tops of the houses.

Easy English                          Jesus tells the people to be careful how they live

While all this was happening, many thousands of people had come together near that place. The crowd was so big that people were almost walking over each other. Jesus began to talk first to his disciples. He said, ‘Be careful! Do not accept the yeast of the Pharisees. Do not be hypocrites like they are.

Some people hide the things that they do. But there will be a time when other people will see those things clearly. Everyone will know all their secrets. You may have said things secretly, in the dark of the night. But one day, people will hear those things in the light of day. You may have said things quietly into someone's ear, behind a door that you have shut. But one day, people will shout out those secrets loudly from the tops of the houses.

Easy-to-Read Version–2008  Many thousands of people came together. There were so many people that they were stepping on each other. Before Jesus spoke to the people, he said to his followers, "Be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees. I mean that they are hypocrites. Everything that is hidden will be shown, and everything that is secret will be made known. What you say in the dark will be told in the light. And what you whisper in a private room will be shouted from the top of the house."

God’s Word™                         Meanwhile, thousands of people had gathered. They were so crowded that they stepped on each other. Jesus spoke to his disciples and said, "Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees. I'm talking about their hypocrisy. Nothing has been covered that will not be exposed. Whatever is secret will be made known. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight. Whatever you have whispered in private rooms will be shouted from the housetops.

Good News Bible (TEV)         As thousands of people crowded together, so that they were stepping on each other, Jesus said first to his disciples, "Be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees---I mean their hypocrisy. Whatever is covered up will be uncovered, and every secret will be made known. So then, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and whatever you have whispered in private in a closed room will be shouted from the housetops.

J. B. Phillips                           Meanwhile, the crowds had gathered in thousands, so that they were actually treading on each other’s toes, and Jesus, speaking primarily to his disciples, said, “Be on your guard against yeast—I mean the yeast of the Pharisees, which is sheer pretence.”

“For there is nothing covered up which is not going to be exposed, nor anything private which is not going to be made public. Whatever you may say in the dark will be heard in daylight, and whatever you whisper within four walls will be shouted from the house-tops.”

The Message                         Can’t Hide Behind a Religious Mask

By this time the crowd, unwieldy and stepping on each other’s toes, numbered into the thousands. But Jesus’ primary concern was his disciples. He said to them, “Watch yourselves carefully so you don’t get contaminated with Pharisee yeast, Pharisee phoniness. You can’t keep your true self hidden forever; before long you’ll be exposed. You can’t hide behind a religious mask forever; sooner or later the mask will slip and your true face will be known. You can’t whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day’s coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town.

NIRV                                      Jesus Gives Words of Warning and Hope

During that time a crowd of many thousands had gathered. There were so many people that they were stepping on one another. Jesus spoke first to his disciples. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees,” he said. “They just pretend to be godly. Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight. What you have whispered to someone behind closed doors will be shouted from the rooftops.

New Life Version                    Jesus Teaches His Followers and Thousands of Other People

At that time thousands of people gathered together. There were so many that they walked on each other. Jesus spoke to His twelve followers first, saying, “Look out! Have nothing to do with the yeast of the proud religious law-keepers which is pretending to be something it is not. For there is nothing covered up that will not be seen. There is nothing hidden that will not be known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light. What you have said in a low voice in a closed room will be spoken with a loud voice from the top of houses.

New Simplified Bible              . Bumped

Thought-for-thought translations; dynamic translations; paraphrases:

Casual English Bible              JESUS TAKES ON HYPOCRITES AND FOOLS

SECRETS ON DISPLAY

Meanwhile, the crowd outside had grown to several thousand. There were so many people in such a small area that they were stepping on each other. Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees: hypocrisy.[1] One of these days, everything that’s covered up and hidden is going to get put on display for everyone to see.

Everything you said under the cover of night is going to get repeated in the light of day. And everything you whispered in the privacy of a room is going to get broadcast everywhere.

[1] This is a clever metaphor, given that Jesus has just come from eating a meal with Pharisees. Yeast pervades all the dough in a baker’s loaf of bread; it’s everywhere mixed into the dough. Hypocrisy works that way on the Pharisees; that’s what many Bible experts say is the point Jesus was making.

Contemporary English V.       As thousands of people crowded around Jesus and were stepping on each other, he told his disciples: Be sure to guard against the dishonest teaching of the Pharisees! It is their way of fooling people. Everything that is hidden will be found out, and every secret will be known. Whatever you say in the dark will be heard when it is day. Whatever you whisper in a closed room will be shouted from the housetops.

The Living Bible                     Meanwhile the crowds grew until thousands upon thousands were milling about and crushing each other. He turned now to his disciples and warned them, “More than anything else, beware of these Pharisees and the way they pretend to be good when they aren’t. But such hypocrisy cannot be hidden forever. 2 It will become as evident as yeast in dough. 3 Whatever they[a] have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms shall be broadcast from the housetops for all to hear!

New Berkeley Version           .

New Living Translation           A Warning against Hypocrisy

Meanwhile, the crowds grew until thousands were milling about and stepping on each other. Jesus turned first to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—their hypocrisy. The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops for all to hear!

The Passion Translation        By now a crowd of many thousands had gathered around Jesus. So many people pushed to be near him, they began to trample on one another. Jesus turned to his disciples and warned them, “Make sure you are not influenced by the hypocrisy and phoniness of the religious leaders. It permeates everything they do and teach, for they are merely serving their own interests.  Everything hidden and covered up will soon be exposed. For the facade is falling down, and nothing will be kept secret for long.  Whatever you have spoken in private will be public knowledge, and what you have whispered secretly behind closed doors will be broadcast far and wide for all to hear.

UnfoldingWord Simplified T.  Meanwhile, many thousands of people gathered around Jesus. There were so many that they were stepping on each other. But first he said to his disciples, "Be careful that you do not become like the Pharisees, who act religious in public, but do evil things in secret. Just like yeast causes a lump of dough to rise, their evil behavior causes others to be hypocrites like they are.  People cannot cover up their sins. Someday God will let everyone know everything people are trying to hide. Everything you say in the dark, someday people will hear in the daylight. Whatever you whisper in your room will someday be as public as if it were shouted from the rooftops."

Williams’ New Testament      .

Partially literal and partially paraphrased translations:

American English Bible          Well, a huge crowd had gathered… There were so many thousands that they were literally stepping on each other. Then [Jesus gave this warning to] his disciples.

He said:

‘Watch out for the fermentation of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

‘For there’s nothing hidden that won’t be exposed,

And no secret that won’t be known.

So the things that you say in the darkness, Will be all heard in the light.

And whatever is whispered within private rooms, Will be shouted aloud from the rooftops!

Beck’s American Translation .

Breakthrough Version            Meanwhile, when the tens of thousands of the crowd came together in one place in such a way to be traipsing on each other, He first began to be saying to His students, "Be cautious yourselves of the yeast (something that is faked goodness) of the Separatists. There is nothing that has been covered up well that will not be uncovered and hidden that will not be known, for the times that, as much as you said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you spoke to the ear in the storage rooms will be spoken publicly on the roofs.

Common English Bible           Warnings to Jesus’ friends

When a crowd of thousands upon thousands had gathered so that they were crushing each other, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples: “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees—I mean, the mismatch between their hearts and lives. Nothing is hidden that won’t be revealed, and nothing is secret that won’t be brought out into the open. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered in the rooms deep inside the house will be announced from the rooftops.

A. Campbell's Living Oracles Meantime, while the crowd, in myriads flocked about him, so that they trod one upon another, he said, addressing himself to his disciples, Above all things, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that shall not be detected: nothing secret that shall not be made known. What you have spoken in the dark, shall be reported in the light; what you have whispered in the closet, shall be proclaimed from the housetop.

New Advent (Knox) Bible       And now great multitudes had gathered round him, so that they trod one another down; and he addressed himself first to his disciples; Have nothing to do with the leaven of the Pharisees, he said, it is all hypocrisy. What is veiled will all be revealed, what is hidden will all be known; what you have said in darkness, will be repeated in the light of day, what you have whispered in secret chambers, will be proclaimed on the house-tops.

NT for Everyone                     Further Warnings

Crowds were gathering in their thousands, so much so that they were trampling on each other. Jesus began to say to his disciples, ‘Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees – I mean, their hypocrisy. This is a matter of first importance.

‘Nothing is concealed that won’t be uncovered; nothing is hidden that won’t be made known. So whatever you say in the darkness will be heard in the light, and whatever you speak indoors into someone’s ear will be proclaimed from the housetops.

20^th Century New Testament Meanwhile the people had gathered in thousands, so that they trod upon one another, when Jesus, addressing himself to his disciples, began by saying to them: "Be on your guard against the leaven--that is, the hypocrisy--of the Pharisees. There is nothing, however covered up, which will not be uncovered, nor anything kept secret which will not become known. Hence all that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear, within closed doors, will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Mostly literal renderings (with some occasional paraphrasing):

Christian Standard Bible        Beware of Religious Hypocrisy

Meanwhile, a crowd of many thousands came together, so that they were trampling on one another. He began to say to his disciples first, “Be on your guard against the leaven [Or yeast] of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Conservapedia Translation    Meanwhile, amid a massive crowd that stepped on each other, Jesus taught His disciples first. "Beware the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For nothing is ["is" or "can be"?] concealed that shall not be revealed; nothing hidden that shall not be known. So whatever you said in the dark shall be heard in the light; and whatever you whispered in each others' ears behind closed doors shall be shouted from the rooftops.

Free Bible Version                 .

Ferrar-Fenton Bible                The Necessity of Sincerity.

During these proceedings, an immense crowd speedily collected, so that they trod upon One another; and He began to say to His disciples: "Guard yourselves from the ferment of the Pharisees, which is play-acting.

But nothing is dressed up so that it cannot be stripped; nor concealed so as not to become known.

Whatever therefore you have said in the darkness, will be listened to in the light; and what you whisper in the ears in the private chambers, will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

God’s Truth (Tyndale)           As there gathered to gether an innumerable multitude of people (in so much that they trod one another) he began to say unto his disciples: First of all beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be uncovered: neither hid that shall not be known. For what soever you have spoken in darkness: that same shall be heard in light. And that which you have spoken in the ear even in secret places, shall be preached even on the top of the houses.

International Standard V        A Warning against Hypocrisy

Meanwhile, the people [Lit. crowd] had gathered by the thousands and were trampling on one another. Jesus [Lit. He] began to speak first to his disciples. “Watch out for the yeast—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees! There is nothing covered up that will not be exposed and nothing secret that will not be made known. Therefore, what you have said in darkness will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered [Lit. spoken in the ear] in private rooms will be shouted from the housetops.”

NIV, ©2011                             Warnings and Encouragements

Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be [Or speak to his disciples, saying: “First of all, be] on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.

Riverside New Testament      MEANWHILE, as the myriads of the crowd were thronging together so that they trod down one another, he began and said to his disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is, their hypocrisy. For nothing is covered up which will not be revealed, nor secret which will not be known. Whatever you have said in darkness will, on the contrary, be heard in the light, and what you have spoken into the ear in inner moms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Weymouth New Testament    Meanwhile the people had come streaming towards Him by tens of thousands, so that they were trampling one another under foot. And now He proceeded to say to His disciples first, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, that is to say, beware of hypocrisy. There is nothing that is covered up which will not be uncovered, nor hidden which will not become known. Whatever therefore you have said in the dark, will be heard in the light; and what you have whispered within closed doors will be proclaimed from the house-tops.

Wikipedia Bible Project          Meanwhile the crowd of thousands had grown even bigger, so much so that they were trampling on one another. Jesus began speaking to his disciples first of all. “Watch out for the Pharisees’ yeast of hypocrisy! There’s nothing concealed that won’t be revealed, nothing hidden that won’t be made known. Whatever you said in the dark will be heard in the light, and whatever you whispered in private will be shouted from the rooftops.

Catholic Bibles (those having the imprimatur):

Christian Community (1988)     Open and fearless speech

(Mk 3:28; Mt 10:19; 12:31; Mk 8:38)

• Meanwhile, such a numerous crowd had gathered that they crushed one another. Then Jesus spoke to his disciples in this way,

“Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not be made known. Whatever you have said in darkness will be heard in daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places, will be proclaimed from housetops.

• 12.1 Nothing is hidden that will not be made known: this could be interpreted in different ways. In these paragraphs, Jesus refers to the courageous testimony of faith. We have to speak the truth without worrying about what people will think of us. Here hypocrisy is attributed to those who are always trying to be diplomatic, and whose primary concern is not to lose friends.

Do not fear (v. 4): see commentary on Mat - thew 10:28.

Everyone who criticizes the Son of Man (v. 10): see commentary on Mark 3:29.

To slander (or: to blaspheme) the Holy Spirit (v. 29) is to attribute to a bad spirit a work that is manifestly good. Those who systematically attribute bad intentions to good work done by others, by the Church, by other parties, sin against the Holy Spirit. The one who recognizes the truth but not God is better off than the one who says he believes in God but does not recognize the truth.

Mt 16: 6, 12; Mk 8:15

Mt 10: 26-27; Mk 4:22; Lk 8:17; Mk 8:38

The Heritage Bible                          In which things, the thousands of the crowd being gathered together, so that they trampled down one another, he began to say to his disciples, Foremost, hold your mind away from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

And there is absolutely not one thing being completely secret, which will absolutely not be revealed, and secret, that will absolutely not be known.

Therefore whatever you said in darkness will be heard in the light, and what you spoke to the ear in secret rooms will be preached upon the housetops.

New American Bible (2011)   The Leaven of the Pharisees.*

Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot.^a He began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven—that is, the hypocrisy—of the Pharisees.

Courage Under Persecution.*

^b “There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known.^c

Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

* [12:1] See notes on Mk 8:15 and Mt 16:5–12.

* [8:15] The leaven of the Pharisees…of Herod: the corruptive action of leaven (1 Cor 5:6–8; Gal 5:9) was an apt symbol of the evil dispositions both of the Pharisees (Mk 8:11–13; 7:5–13) and of Herod (Mk 6:14–29) toward Jesus. The disciples of Jesus are warned against sharing such rebellious attitudes toward Jesus; cf. Mk 8:17, 21.

* [16:5–12] Jesus’ warning his disciples against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees comes immediately before his promise to confer on Peter the authority to bind and to loose on earth (Mt 16:19), an authority that will be confirmed in heaven. Such authority most probably has to do, at least in part, with teaching. The rejection of the teaching authority of the Pharisees (see also Mt 12:12–14) prepares for a new one derived from Jesus.

* [12:2–9] Luke presents a collection of sayings of Jesus exhorting his followers to acknowledge him and his mission fearlessly and assuring them of God’s protection even in times of persecution. They are paralleled in Mt 10:26–33.

a. [12:1] Mt 16:6; Mk 8:15.

b. [12:2–9] Mt 10:26–33.

c. [12:2] 8:17; Mk 4:22.

New Catholic Bible                 The Yeast of the Pharisees.^[a] Meanwhile a crowd of many thousands of people had gathered, and they were so tightly packed together that they were trampling on each other. Then Jesus began to speak, saying first to his disciples: “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees—which is their hypocrisy. There is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing secret that will not become known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the housetops.

[a] True disciples do not let the message become altered and are not afraid to bear clear witness to the Gospel, to confess their faith in Jesus. Persecutions should not intimidate them; indeed, it is better to be condemned by opinion than to lose God. Believers are certain that the Lord will never abandon them; they rely on the help of the Spirit to proclaim simply and without alteration the essence of the message (see Acts 4:8; 5:12; 7:55).

New English Bible–1970        A Warning against Hypocrisy (Judæa)

MEANWHILE, WHEN A CROWD of many thousands had gathered, packed so close that they were treading on one another, he began to speak first to his disciples: 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; I mean their hypocrisy. There is nothing covered up that will not be uncovered, nothing hidden that will not be made known. You may take it, then, that everything you have said in the dark will be heard in broad daylight, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the house-tops.

New Jerusalem Bible             .

New RSV                               .

Revised English Bible–1989   .

Jewish/Hebrew Names Bibles:

Complete Jewish Bible           Meanwhile, as a crowd in the tens of thousands gathered so closely as to trample each other down, Yeshua began to say to his talmidim first, “Guard yourselves from the hametz of the P’rushim, by which I mean their hypocrisy. There is nothing covered up that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not become known. What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Hebraic Roots Bible               At which time a multitude of many crowds being gathered together, so as to trample on one another, He began to say to His disciples First of all be wary inside yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy. And there is not anything that is covered that will not be revealed, or that is hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you said in the darkness will be heard in the light; and whatever you whispered in the ear in the closets will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Holy New Covenant Trans.    Many thousands of people came together. There were so many people that they were stepping on each other. Before Jesus began to speak to the people, he said to his students, "Be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees — they act as if they are good men, but they are not. Everything which is hidden will be found out, and everything that is secret will be made known. The things you say in the dark will be heard in the light. The things you whisper in secret rooms will be proclaimed from the tops of houses.".

The Israel Bible (beta)            .

Israeli Authorised Version      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 talmidim first of all, Beware ye of the hametz of the Prushim, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

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.

The Scriptures 2009              Meanwhile, when an innumerable crowd of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His taught ones, first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 

“And whatever is concealed shall be revealed, and whatever is hidden shall be known. 

“So, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms shall be proclaimed on the house-tops.

Tree of Life Version                Meanwhile, when thousands of people had gathered, so many that they were trampling one another, Yeshua began speaking first to His disciples, “Be on guard yourselves against the hametz of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.

Weird English, Olde English, Anachronistic English Translations:

Accurate New Testament       ...in whom* being gathered the (ten) thousands [of] the crowd that {them} to tread (down) one another [He] begins to say to the students [of] him firstly keep! themselves^ from the leaven Who is Pretending [of] the pharisees No [Thing] but Having Been Concealed is Which not will be revealed and {No} [Thing] Hidden {is} Which not will be known for which* what* in the darkness [You*] say in the light will be heard and what to the ear [You*] speak in the closets will be proclaimed on the roofs...

Awful Scroll Bible                   From-within which there is becoming drawn-together-before, very many of they of the adjoining area, so-as-to they tread-down one another, himself began first to instruct with regards to his disciples, "Be yourselves adjoining-to from the leaven of the Resolved which-certain is underhanded-determination.

(")Moreover, there is yet-not-one thing having occurred to be suppressed-together, which will not be brought-out-from- coming to be -suppressed, a being brought-out-from- coming to be -suppressed, and hiding, which will not become known a coming to be known!

(")Over against which, as many things yous spoke from-within adumbration, will happen to be heard by-within that apparent, indeed what yous spoke with regards to the ear, from-within the inner chamber, will emerge to be proclaimed in the lobbies.

Concordant Literal Version    At which, a throng of ten thousand being assembled so as to be trampling one another, He begins to be saying to His disciples first, "Take heed to yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

Now nothing is covered up which shall not be revealed, and hidden which shall not be known, because whatever you say in the darkness shall be heard in the light, and what you speak in the ear in the storerooms shall be heralded on the housetops."

exeGeses companion Bible   YAH SHUA ON HYPOCRISY

In the mean time,

a multitude of myriads gathers together

so that they trample on one another:

and he begins to word to his disciples first,

Heed yourselves of the fermentation of the Pharisees

which is hypocrisy:

for naught is altogether concealed,

that is not unveiled;

and secreted, that is not known:

so as much as you speak in darkness

is heard in the light;

and what you speak in the ear in pantries

is preached on the housetops.

Orthodox Jewish Bible           Meanwhile, when the multitudes by the thousands assembled, to the point of trampling one another, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said this in a yechidus first to his talmidim, Be shomer regarding the chametz of the Perushim, which is their tzeviut (hypocrisy).

And nothing that men hide in a cover up is concealed which will not be revealed, and nothing held nistar (hidden) which will not be laid bare.

So then, what things you said in the choshech, will be heard in the ohr; and what you whispered in the ear bchadrei chadarim (in a most secret place) will be shouted from the roof tops.

Expanded/Embellished Bibles:

The Amplified Bible                God Knows and Cares

In the meantime, after so many thousands of the people had gathered that they were stepping on one another, Jesus began speaking first of all to His disciples, “Be continually on your guard against the ^[a]leaven of the Pharisees [that is, their pervasive, corrupting influence and teaching], which is hypocrisy [producing self-righteousness]. But there is nothing [so carefully] concealed that it will not be revealed, nor so hidden that it will not be made known. For that reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops.

[a] A substance such as yeast that consists mostly of fungi. This analogy relates the impurity of a leavening agent to the impurity of the man-made tradition and hypocrisy of the Pharisees that was preventing the nation of Israel from accepting the Messiah.

An Understandable Version   About this time, while a crowd of many thousands had assembled, [so large that] people were trampling on one another, Jesus first began telling His disciples, “Watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing [they do that will remain] covered up; it will [all] be exposed. [And there is] nothing done secretly that will not be made known [openly]. Therefore, whatever you have said in the darkness [i.e., in obscurity] will be heard in the light [i.e., openly]. And what you have whispered in someone’s ear in a back room, will be declared from the housetops.

The Expanded Bible              Don’t Be Like the Pharisees

[^L Meanwhile] So many thousands of people had gathered that they were ·stepping [trampling] on each other. Jesus began to speak first to his ·followers [disciples], saying, “Beware of the ·yeast [leaven] of the Pharisees, ·because they are hypocrites [^L which is hypocrisy; ^C the evil influence of the Pharisees was like yeast that would grow and affect everything around it; Mark 8:14–21]. Everything that is ·hidden [concealed; covered up] will be ·shown [revealed; uncovered; disclosed], and everything that is ·secret [hidden] will be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered ·in an inner room [or behind closed doors] will be ·shouted [proclaimed] from the housetops.

Jonathan Mitchell NT             Under these circumstances, [with] a crowd of tens of thousands (myriads) being gathered together upon [the event] – so as to be time after time trampling (or: stepping down on) one another – He began a discourse to His disciples first: "Be constantly holding your attention toward, and continuously guarding yourselves from, the yeast permeating the Pharisees, which is to put texts under close inspection, to sift and separate, and then give an answer, an interpretation, an opinion (or: to live by separating things yet, under-discern; or: being overly critical and making judgments from a low view; or: perverse scholarship which focuses on tiny distinctions). [comment: their yeast would inflate them with pride]

"Now there is nothing [which] continues having been completely concealed (or: veiled and covered together) which will not be progressively unveiled (uncovered; revealed; disclosed), and [nothing] hidden which will not continue being intimately and experientially made known.

"Instead, whatever (or: as many things as) you folks said (or: say) within the darkness (or: in union with darkness) will proceed being listened to and heard in the midst of and in union with the Light – and that which you speak (or: spoke) to the ear within the private rooms (or: inner chambers) will continue being heralded in public proclamation upon housetops (or: roofs).

P. Kretzmann Commentary    Verses 1-3

Warning against Hypocrisy and Covetousness.

The leaven of the. Pharisees:

In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch, that they trod one upon another, He began to say unto His disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be known.

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.

While the assaults of the Pharisees and scribes were going on, while they were attempting everything in their power to discredit Jesus and find some ground for accusing Him, the people, on the whole, came together to Him in greater multitudes than ever before, by the thousands, the largest gathering that had ever assembled about Him. So violently did they surge forward to come near the Lord that they literally trod one another down. Jesus, after His custom, took this opportunity to address the people on some subjects which were needful to them. His remarks were addressed chiefly to His disciples, but could easily be understood as far as His voice reached. The first topic of His discourse was that of hypocrisy. Note: The fact that many sayings of this chapter resemble, or are identical with, some of those in the Sermon on the Mount need cause no uneasiness. Jesus undoubtedly said many things which He wanted the people to know again and again, in order to impress it upon their minds. Here He warns His hearers to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which He explains as hypocrisy, while at other times He refers to their false doctrine, Matthew 16:11-12. Hypocrisy is like leaven; if it is given room in the heart, it begins to work and extend its influence, until finally the effects will show on the outside. A hypocrite may wear the mask of sanctity for some time and dissimulate before the eyes of men; but it will putrefy the heart and soul to such an extent that it may be revealed at a most unexpected time. For though a thing may be very carefully covered, it will come to light some time; and though it be hidden, it will be made known. The Lord now makes the application of the saying in a good sense. Instead of trying to cover up and hide their convictions, the believers in Christ should take note. They should not resort to whispering in secret, in darkness, in the inner chambers, with the object of keeping their Christian convictions from the knowledge of the people, for that is a species of hypocrisy, but should be open and fearless before all men about speaking the truth and proclaiming the Gospel. Note: The warning is needed also in our days, when church-members are going to the extent of hiding even their churchgoing from their neighbors and of removing every evidence of Christianity from their rooms, Bibles, prayer-books, religious pictures, and papers, lest some of their "friends" may smile in a pitying fashion over their time-worn superstitions! Such hypocrisy is tantamount to an open denial of Christ.

Syndein/Thieme                     {Verses 1-5: Fear 'The Creator', Not 'The Created'}

``In the meantime/Meanwhile, many thousands of people/'the crowd' having gathered together so much that they were trampling on one another, He {Jesus} began to speak first to His students/disciples,

" 'Be on your guard'/Beware {an order} against the 'yeast'/leaven {zume} of the Pharisees . . . which keeps on being 'an actor behind a mask assuming a role of a thing that he is not'/ hypocrisy {hupokrisis}.

``Nothing is concealed that will absolutely not {ouk} be revealed . . . nor hidden that will absolutely not {ouk} be made known.

``For this reason {anti} whatever you have said in 'darkness' {anything from thoughts outside the Light of divine viewpoint thinking} will be heard in the Light.

And what you have whispered/'said in the ear' in private rooms {a picture of a conspiracy - in context one against Jesus} will be proclaimed from the housetops {the hypocrisy of the Jewish legalistic religious leaders will come to the Light}."

Translation for Translators                        Jesus warned the people not to be like the Pharisees.

Luke 12:1-3

While they were doing that, many thousands of people gathered around Jesus. There were so many that they were stepping on each other. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of becoming hypocrites like the Pharisees. Their evil influence [MET] spreads to others like yeast spreads its influence in dough. People will not be able to continue concealing the things that they or other people try to conceal now. God will some day cause the things that are hidden now to be known {everyone to know the things that they hide now}. All the things that you say in the dark secretly, some day will be heard {people will hear them} in the daylight. The things you have whispered [SYN] privately among yourselves in your rooms will be proclaimed {people will proclaim them} publicly.”

The Voice                               The crowds at this time were packed in so tightly that thousands of people were stepping on each other. Jesus spoke to His disciples, knowing that the crowds could overhear.

Jesus: Guard yourselves from the yeast that puffs up the Pharisees—hypocrisy, false appearance, trying to look better than you really are.

Nothing is covered up that won’t be discovered; nothing is hidden that won’t be exposed. Whatever a person says in the dark will be published in the light of day, and whatever a person whispers in private rooms will be broadcast from the housetops.

Bible Translations with a Lot of Footnotes:

Lexham Bible                         Warning Against Hypocrisy

During this time [Literally “which time”] when [*Here “when ” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had gathered together”)] a crowd of many thousands had gathered together, so that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware for yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known.

Therefore everything that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered [Literally “you have spoken to the ear”] in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

NET Bible®                             Fear God, Not People

Meanwhile,¹ when many thousands of the crowd had gathered so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus² began to speak first to his disciples, “Be on your guard against³ the yeast of the Pharisees,⁴ which is hypocrisy.⁵ Nothing is hidden⁶ that will not be revealed,⁷ and nothing is secret that will not be made known. So then⁸ whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered⁹ in private rooms¹⁰ will be proclaimed from the housetops.¹¹

^1tn The phrase ἐν ο ς (en Jois) can be translated “meanwhile.”

^2tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

^3tn According to L&N 27.59, “to pay attention to, to keep on the lookout for, to be alert for, to be on your guard against.” This is another Lukan present imperative calling for constant vigilance.

^4sn See the note on Pharisees in 5:17.

^5sn The pursuit of popularity can lead to hypocrisy, if one is not careful.

^6tn Or “concealed.”

^7sn I.e., be revealed by God. The passive voice verbs here (“be revealed,” be made known”) see the revelation as coming from God. The text is both a warning about bad things being revealed and an encouragement that good things will be made known, though the stress with the images of darkness and what is hidden in vv. 2-3 is on the attempt to conceal.

^8tn Or “because.” Understanding this verse as a result of v. 2 is a slightly better reading of the context. Knowing what is coming should impact our behavior now.

^9tn Grk “spoken in the ear,” an idiom. The contemporary expression is “whispered.”

^10sn The term translated private rooms refers to the inner room of a house, normally without any windows opening outside, the most private location possible (BDAG 988 s.v. ταμε ον 2).

^11tn The expression “proclaimed from the housetops” is an idiom for proclaiming something publicly (L&N 7.51). Roofs of many first century Jewish houses in Judea and Galilee were flat and had access either from outside or from within the house. Something shouted from atop a house would be heard by everyone in the street below.

Rotherham’s Emphasized B.                   § 54. Various Instructions for Disciples and for the Multitude.

Chapter 12.

<Amongst which things, when the ten thousands of the multitude were gathered togetherˎ so that they were treading one upon another> he began to be saying |unto his disciples| ||first||—

Be keeping yourselves free from the leaven of

the Pharisees,^a the which is |hypocrisy|.

But ||nothing|| hath been |covered up|

Which shall not be uncovered,

And hidden

Which shall not be made known.

Because <as many things as |in the darkness| ye have said>

|In the light| shall be heard;

And <what to the earʹ ye spakeˎ in the chambers>

Shall be proclaimed on the housetops.^b

^a Mt. xvi. 6.

^b Chap. viii. 17; Mt. x. 26, 27; Mk. iv. 22.

The Spoken English NT         Jesus Warns about the “Yeast of the Pharisees” (Mt. 10:26-27; Mk 8:15)
A crowd of tens of thousands was gathering-to the point that they were stepping on each other. Then Jesus started out by saying to his followers, Watch yourselves for the yeast of the Pharisees, which is play-acting. Because nothing’s hidden that won’t be uncovered, and there’s no secret that won’t become known. What that means is, that whatever you’ve said in the dark is going to be heard in the light, and what you’ve whispered in somebody’s ear behind closed doors^a is going to get announced from the housetops.

^a.Lit. “And it came about in his being praying.”

Wilbur Pickering’s New T.     Beware of hypocrisy
Meanwhile, when a crowd of thousands¹ had converged, so that they were stepping on each other, He began to speak first to His disciples: “Guard yourselves from the ‘yeast’ of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in the ear behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops.

⁽¹⁾ Most modern versions, following a mere 1% of the Greek manuscripts, of objectively inferior quality, seriously truncate this prayer by omitting: “Our . . . who is in the heavens . . . . Your will must be done on earth as it is in heaven . . . . but deliver us from the evil one.” Some versions, like NIV and NASB, have a footnote saying that “some manuscripts” add this material. How can any honest person use ‘some’ to refer to 99% (1,600 X 16)? ‘The evil one’ refers to Satan.

Literal, almost word-for-word, renderings:

Analytical-Literal Translation  At which time [fig., Meanwhile], when the countless thousands of the crowd had been gathered together, so as to be trampling on one another, He began to be saying to His disciples first [of all], "Youp yourselves be watching out for the leaven [or, yeast] of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy [or, insincerity].

"But nothing has been concealed which will not be revealed, and hidden which will not made known.

"Because whatever youp said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what youp spoke to the ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Berean Literal Bible                . these times

Charles Thomson NT             Now while he was saying these things to them, the Scribes and the Pharisees took occasion to urge him vehemently, and provoke him to speak of many things, laying snares for him, and seeking to catch something from his mouth, that they might accuse him; by which myriads of the people being drawn together, so as to trample upon one another, he took occasion to say to his disciples, Above all, things beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy; for there is nothing concealed which shall not be disclosed; nor any thing hid, which shall not be known. Luke 11:53–54 are included for context. Luke 12:3 will be placed with the next passage.

Context Group Version          In the mean time, when the tens of thousands of the multitude were gathered together, insomuch that they trod one on another, he began to say to his apprentices first of all, Take heed to yourselves [and stay away] from the leaven which is the insincerity {Greek, playacting} of the Pharisees. But there is nothing covered up, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatever you (pl) have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light; and what you (pl) have spoken in the ear in the inner chambers shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Holy B. Improved Ed. (1912)  In this state of things, the multitude having gathered together in tens of thousands, so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples, first, Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered, that will not be revealed; and hid, that will not be known. Wherefore, whatever ye said in the darkness will be heard in the light; and what ye spoke in the ear in the inner chambers will be proclaimed on the house-tops.

Legacy Standard Bible           Fear Only God

At this time, after so many thousands [Lit myriads] of the crowd had gathered together that they were trampling on one another, He began saying to His disciples first, “Be on your guard for the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered [Lit spoken in the ear] in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Modern Literal Version 2020  At which time, after ten-thousand from the crowd were gathered together, so-as to trample down one another, he began to say to his disciples first, Take-heed° to yourselves, stay away from the leaven of the Pharisees; it is hypocrisy. But there is nothing which has been covered up, which will not be revealed; and secret, which will not be known. Because as many things as you° said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you° spoke in the ear in the storerooms will be preached toward the housetops.

New American Standard B.    God Knows and Cares

Under these circumstances, after so many thousands [Lit myriads] of people [Lit the crowd] had gathered together that they were stepping on one another, He began saying to His disciples first of all, “Beware of the leaven [I.e., fermented dough] of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Accordingly, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered [Lit spoken to the ear] in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

New European Version          Jesus repeats the teaching of the sermon on the mount

In the mean time, when the many thousands of the crowd were gathered together, so much so that they trod one upon another, he began to say to his disciples first of all: Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that shall not be revealed, and hid that shall not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

New King James Version       .

New Matthew Bible                The leaven of the Pharisees. Christ strengthens his disciples against persecution, and warns them to beware of covetousness by the similitude of a certain rich man. He does not want them to hang upon earthly things, but to watch and to be ready for his coming.

As there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people (insomuch that they trod on one another), he began and said to his disciples, First of all, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, nor hid that will not be known. For whatever you have spoken in darkness, that same shall be heard in the light. And that which you have spoken in the ear, even in secret places, shall be declared even on the top of the house.

Niobi Study Bible                   Jesus Preaches to the Multitude; Beware of Hypocrisy
In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trod one upon another, He began to say unto His disciples first of all, "Beware you of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Revised Young's Lit. Trans.   At which time the myriads of the multitude having been gathered together, so as to tread upon one another, he began to say unto his disciples, first, 'Take heed to yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy; and there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known; because whatever in the darkness you said, in the light shall be heard: and what to the ear you spake in the inner-chambers, shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops.

The gist of this passage: 

1-3

Translation: Meanwhile [lit., in whom], a massive [lit., ten-thousand; also, a myriad] crowd was gathering,...

Isn’t this every preacher’s dream, to have a packed crowd? People heard about Jesus, they heard about the controversies, they heard about the healings, and they began to show up in very large groups.

Let me suggest that the overwhelming majority of people are friendly to the Lord. Most of them are on positive signals. But this is not necessarily true of ever crowd in every environment. You will recall in the previous chapter, Jesus was invited to the house of a pharisee and nearly everyone there was negative toward Him and His teaching. See Luke 11 (HTML) (PDF) (WPD).