1: 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 disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2: For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3: 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. 4: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5: But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. 6: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7: But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. 8: Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10: And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 11: And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

1: 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 disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2: For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

In warning His disciples that the Pharisees were hypocrites, Jesus was sending a warning to the Church in the last days that it would have the same problem! People pretending to be one thing and really being another! Even though something may be hidden from men now, it will all be revealed later.

3: 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 Church leaders kept the people in darkness or error and false teachings, but Jesus promised the people light or truth and He gave it to them. Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Matthew 4:16-17 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Similarly today the leaders of the churches are keeping the people in darkness or false teaching and need to see the light or truth that Jesus has for them.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. All the secrets that have been spoken in closets, the Lord said would be proclaimed upon housetops. Thus, in these last days the Lord will see to it that the people will have an opportunity to see how they have been misled by their leaders as they are exposed publicly.

4: And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5: But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

Jesus has forewarned us that there will be those that will kill us and try to make us afraid as their secrets and false teachings are exposed. But we are to fear God and give glory to Him and not to men.

6: Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7: But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

During this time of trouble the Lord assures us that just as He watches over the sparrows He will watch over and care for us.

8: Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess (#3670) me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9: But he that denieth (#720) me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Confess - # 3670 – to assert, i.e. covenant, acknowledge, confess
Denieth - #720 – to contradict, disavow, reject, abnegate, deny, refuse
We are not to break our covenant with God and deny Him, but rather to confess Him before men. The context of this verse is the time of trouble, so men will attempt to make us deny Christ! Jesus promises us that He will confess us before the angels.

10: And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth (#987) against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 11: And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Blasphemeth - #987 – to vilify, to speak impiously, defame
Vilify (Webster) – to make vile, to degrade or debase
Vile (Webster) – worthless, of small account, morally base, wicked
Impiously (Webster) – not pious, irreverent, lacking in respect
We must be careful not to consider the work of the Holy Spirit as worthless or to attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan (wicked) During the time of trouble we will be brought into the churches (inquisition) and before the law courts (magistrates). At that time the Holy Spirit will take control of us and will teach us how to answer and what to say. We are not to speak our own words.