Therefore do not be afraid of them. Nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. 27 What I say to you in the darkness, speak in the light; what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. 30 Even all the hairs of your head are counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. 33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.”
Jesus told his disciples not to fear their persecutors and assured them that everything hidden would eventually be revealed. They must trust in God’s ultimate justice and truth. They should boldly proclaim in public what he has taught them in private. They should not fear those who can only inflict physical harm but should fear God, who has ultimate authority over life, death, and eternal destiny.
In ancient Israel, Gehenna, the Valley of Hinnom, was infamous for idolatrous practices, including child sacrifices to the god Moloch (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 7:31). Because of these abominable practices, the valley was deemed cursed and eventually became a symbol of divine judgment and a place of punishment.
Jesus uses the example of sparrows to illustrate to that God cares for all His creation. If he cares for sparrows, which have little value, He will certainly care for His disciples. God personally cares for and has intimate knowledge of each person so they should not be afraid because they are significant in God’s eyes. Jesus promised that everyone who publicly acknowledges him will be acknowledged by him before God the Father. Jesus promised that everyone who publicly acknowledges Him will be acknowledged by Him before God the Father. Conversely, Jesus warned that He would deny before God the Father anyone who denies Him.
Almighty God, grant us the courage to boldly proclaim your truth with contrite hearts and humble spirits. Strengthen our faith that we may acknowledge Jesus before others and remain steadfast in our devotion to You. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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