Luke 12

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy".[1]

Nicoll suggests that this is "the largest crowd mentioned anywhere in the Gospels"[4] but Jesus speaks "first of all" to his disciples,[1] only turning to the multitude in verses 14-21, in response to a question from someone in the crowd, and again in verses 54-59. Peter asks (at verse 41) whether the parable of the faithful servant is addressed solely to the disciples or to the wider multitude (παντας, pantas: everyone).[6]

The Jerusalem Bible notes that an alternative reading would connect the word "first" with the succeeding statement: First of all, be on your guard ... (Greek: πρωτον προσεχετε εαυτοις, proton prosechete eautois).[7] Protestant commentator Heinrich Meyer likewise argues that "πρῶτον, before all, is to be taken with προσέχετε"; it does not belong to what precedes".[8] The Matthew Bible (1537) and Ruth Magnusson Davis' New Matthew Bible translation (2016) pick up this reading:

... he began and said to his disciples, "First of all, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy".[9][10]

For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.[11]

This verse matches Luke 8:17:

For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.[12]

Eric Franklin suggests that, in particular, it is Pharisaic hypocrisy which will be revealed,[13] while David Robert Palmer translates the initial words of this verse, οὐδὲν δέ, ouden de, as "But there is nothing ...", arguing that "the particle δέ is meant to make a contrast here, between hypocrisy, in verse 1, and the disclosure of verse 2".[14]

Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.[15]

In Matthew's wording, Jesus speaks in the darkness and exhorts his disciples subsequently to reveal what he has said (Matthew 10:27). Luke's version has the disciples speaking in the darkness. Nicoll compares these versions:

In the one representation the whispering stage has its place in the history of the kingdom; in the latter it is conceived as illegitimate and futile. What you whisper will become known to all, therefore whisper not but speak from the housetop.[4]

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.[20]

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.[21]

Similarly in Matthew 6:33, with a slightly longer text: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.[22]

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.[23]

"I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!"[24]

F. W. Farrar in the Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges makes reference to an ‘unwritten saying’ of Christ, He who is near me is near the fire, which is recorded by Ignatius, Origen and Didymus.[25]

Even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?[27]