A crowd gathers, and Jesus addresses his followers.
Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.
Luke 12:2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
However, nothing exists having been covered completely that is not about to be uncovered. And, hiding, the one will not be known.
The verb translated as that "covered" and "concealed" is one that Jesus only uses here. It means "cover completely", "veil completely", "muffled up", "cover one's face", and "wrap oneselves up". It is a more specific version of the Greek word used in the other verses. This word doesn't precisely mean "covered," but "concealed" comes closer. However, the form of the verb is a passive participle in the past perfect tense, to the sense is "having been concealed." This is contrasted with the following participle.
The word translated as "revealed" and "disclosed" is from the same root word as the "covered completely" word above so translated it as "uncovered" captures that sense. Its form is a future, passive participle. We do not have future participles in English. They indicate something soon afterward. This is translated as "will not be revealed/disclosed" which does not capture this immediacy. "Is about to be" captures it better in English. The "is" and "will" are active, but the subject form of the preceding "that" implies the verb "to be."
Life after death is hidden, but Jesus was about to reveal it.
Οὐδὲν δὲ συγκεκαλυμμένον
Nothing, however, having been covered completely
ἐστὶν ὃ οὐκ ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, καὶ κρυπτὸν ὃ οὐ γνωσθήσεται.
is that is not about to be uncovered and hiding. That not will be known.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "for" should be something more like "but."
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "has" before the verb.
- WV -- Wrong Voice -- A helping verb is necessary because the form of the following participle is passive.
- CW --Confusing Word -- The "covered" doesn't precisely mean "covered."
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "neither" should be something more like "and."
- WF -- Wrong Form - This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending in present form with "-ing."
- MW - Missing Word -- The word "but" is not shown in the English translation.
- WT -- Wrong Tense -- This verb is the past perfect tense, which requires a "has" before the verb.
- WV -- Wrong Voice -- A helping verb is necessary because the form of the following participle is passive.
- WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "or" should be something more like "and."
- WT --Wrong Tense "- - Hidden" is the past tense, but the tense is the present.
For -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "for" means "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "for."
there -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
nothing -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
missing "has" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "has," is needed to show the past perfect tense of the following participle.
missing "been" - - (WV) A helping verb is necessary because the form of the following participle is passive.
covered, - - (CW) The unique word that Jesus only uses here is translated as "covered" and means "cover completely", "veil completely", "muffled up", "cover one's face", and "wrap oneselves up". It is a more specific version of the Greek word used in the other verses. This word doesn't precisely mean "covered." CW --Confusing Word -- The "covered" doesn't precisely mean "covered."
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word is in the form of a subject without a verb, so a "to be" is assumed after it.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is not an active verb, but a future participle, but since the previous subject requires a verb, it is made active, but the sense is more immediate and a "is about to be" captures that better in English.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
revealed; "Revealed" is a compound form of the word meaning "to cover" and "to hide "with an "away from" which reverses its meaning, so it means to uncover or reveal and, in the passive, "to become known. " -- "Answered" is from a verb that means to "set apart," "choose," "answer" a question, "answer charges," and "defend oneself." In the passive, it means "to be parted or separated." Here, it is used as a noun and in the passive so "the one separated out." We saw the first use of this verb in Matthew 20:13, where it was used in exactly the same form.
neither -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "neither" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "neither."
hid, -- (WF) "Hid" is from a verb participle meaning "to hide," "to cover," "to conceal." "to keep secret," "cover in the earth," "bury," and "conceal." This is not an active verb but a participle, a verbal adjective, ending in present form with "-ing."
that -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
known. -- "Know" is a verb that means "to learn to know,""to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." The idea of "learn" seems to translate this word better so it isn't confused with the verb meaning "have seen" which is also used to mean "know." This verb is more versatile because it can be used in more tenses.
missing "but" -- (MW) The untranslated word "but," "however," and "on the other hand." It joins phrases in an adversarial way. Since it always falls in the second position, translating it as "however" often captures its feeling better. This word doesn't mean "for."
There -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb.
is -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. The word also means "to exist" and where it doesn't connect to characteristics or conditions.
nothing -- The Greek adjective translated as "no man" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative pronouns. It is used by Jesus more like a negative pronoun than an adjective. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.
missing "has" -- (WT) The helping vcrb, "has," is needed to show the past perfect tense of the following participle.
missing "been" - - (WV) A helping verb is necessary because the form of the following participle is passive.
concealed - - The unique word that Jesus only uses here is translated as "covered" and means "cover completely", "veil completely", "muffled up", "cover one's face", and "wrap oneselves up".
that -- The word translated as "that" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. This word is in the form of a subject without a verb, so a "to be" is assumed after it.
will -- This helping verb "will" indicates the verb is in the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is not an active verb, but a future participle, but since the previous subject requires a verb, it is made active, but the sense is more immediate and a "is about to be" captures that better in English.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
disclosed- - "Disclosed" is a compound form of the word meaning "to cover" and "to hide "with an "away from" which reverses its meaning, so it means to uncover or reveal and, in the passive, "to become known. " -- "Answered" is from a verb that means to "set apart," "choose," "answer" a question, "answer charges," and "defend oneself." In the passive, it means "to be parted or separated." Here, it is used as a noun and in the passive so "the one separated out." We saw the first use of this verb in Matthew 20:13, where it was used in exactly the same form.
or -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "neither" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "neither."
that will not be made known.
hidden -- (WT) "Hidden" is from a verb participle meaning "to hide," "to cover," "to conceal." "to keep secret," "cover in the earth," "bury," and "conceal." "Hidden" is the past tense, but the tense is the present.
that -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.
shall -- This helping verb "shall" indicates that the verb is the future tense. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
not -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.
be -- This helping verb "be" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English.
known. -- "Know" is a verb that means "to learn to know,""to know," "to recognize," "make known," "to know carnally," and "to learn." The idea of "learn" seems to translate this word better so it isn't confused with the verb meaning "have seen" which is also used to mean "know." This verb is more versatile because it can be used in more tenses.
Οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom /acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."
δὲ [446 verses](conj) "But" is de which means "but" and "on the other hand." It is the particle that joins sentences in an adversarial way but can also be an explanation of an indirect cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). In an "if" (εἰ) clause or temporal "when" (ὅταν) clause the sense is "if/when... then." In a series begun by men, it means "on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then." It can also be an explanation of cause ("so") and a condition ("if"). When used with a conditional starting a clause, the sense is "if/when...then." When used with a particle meaning "indeed" the sense is "on one hand...on the other hand." In a listing, the sense is "then" or "yet." After an interruption, "so then."
συγκεκαλυμμένον [1 verse]](part sg perf mp masc acc) "Is covered" is sygkalypto, which means "cover completely", "veil completely", "muffled up", "cover one's face", and "wrap oneselves up".
ἐστίν [614 verses] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen," and "is possible." With the possessive (genitive) object, it means "is descended from," "is the type of," "belongs to," "is made of," "is a duty of," "is at the mercy of," or " is dependent on." With an indirect (dative) object, it means "have" where the subject and object are reversed. "It is to him" becomes "it is his" or "he has it." With the preposition,"into" (εἰς), the sense is "consist of." When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are."
ὃ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "That" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.
ἀποκαλυφθήσεται, [7 verses](3rd sg fut ind pass) "Shall...be revealed" is apokalypto, which means to "uncover," "disclose," "reveal," unmask," "make bare," "become known," (middle passive) "reveal one's whole mind," (passive) "be made known," and as an adjective, "naked," and "shameless."--
καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."
κρυπτὸν [9 verses](part sg pres act neut nom) "Hid" is from krypto, which means "to hide," "to cover," "to conceal." "to keep secret," "cover in the earth," "bury," "conceal," "argue so that the opponent is unwarily led to an adverse conclusion," "lie hidden," in passive, "conceal oneself from," "hide oneself," and "lie hidden."
ὃ [821 verses](article sg masc nom) "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."
οὐκ [269 verses](adv) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences. The negative, οὐ, denies, is absolute, and objective.
γνωσθήσεται [62 verses] (verb 3rd sg fut ind pass) "You know," is ginosko which means "to learn to know," "to know by reflection or observation," and "to perceive."
This verse is a variation of a verse found earlier in Luke (Luke 8:17) as well as ones in Matthew (Matthew 10:26) and Mark (Mark 4:22).