Meanwhile, so many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. He began to speak, first to his disciples, "Beware of the leaven– that is, the hypocrisy– of the Pharisees. "There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 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. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows. (Lk 12:1-7)
Jesus’ listeners were increasing and increasing to be such a number that they were trampling one another underfoot. At this time, Jesus, in stead of talking to the crowd spoke to the disciples. He wanted the crowd to know what he was telling the disciples. He had no secrets to tell the disciples and even if he had he knew that there was no secret that would not be known.
The first message was regarding the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were externally ‘perfect observers’ of the law and traditions but internally they were empty. They did not practice even what they were proposing to the ordinary people. So the disciples should be bewaring of such people, much more they should not be influenced by their behaviour.
Disciples should be aware that there are not secrets in the world. Everything that is done in secret will be made known. What is whispered in closed doors will be announce from house tops. Disciples should not worry about secrets and should not say things in secret. They also should not be bothered about those who disturb them physically.
