The Meaning of Discipleship

²⁴ “^(A)A ^[a]disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for the disciple that he may become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. ^(B)If they have called the head of the house ^[b](C)Beelzebul, how much more will they insult the members of his household!

²⁶ “So do not ^(D)fear them, ^(E)for there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. ^27 (F)What I tell you in the darkness, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim ^(G)on the housetops. ²⁸ And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather ^(H)fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in ^[c](I)hell. ^29 (J)Are two sparrows not sold for an ^[d]assarion? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. ³⁰ But ^(K)even the hairs of your head are all counted. ³¹ So do not fear; ^(L)you are more valuable than a great number of sparrows.

³² “Therefore, ^(M)everyone who ^[e]confesses Me before people, I will also confess ^[f]him before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But ^(N)whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.

¹⁶ “Then I ordered your judges at that time, saying, ‘Hear the cases between your fellow countrymen and ^(A)judge righteously between a person and his fellow countryman, or the stranger who is with him. ^17 (B)You are not to ^[a]show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You are ^(C)not to be afraid of any person, for the judgment is God’s. ^(D)The case that is too difficult for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’