4:22a–b
This saying occurs in similar forms in Matthew 10:26 and Luke 12:2. However, the context in those passages is different. If you have already translated Matthew or Luke, you may not be able to use exactly the same wording here. You may need to adjust the wording that you used there to fit the different context here in Mark. (In Matthew the point of the saying is that people should proclaim the gospel openly in spite of persecution. In Luke, the point is that hypocrisy will be uncovered. Here in Mark, the saying probably refers to the mystery about the kingdom of God that is hidden in parables but will soon be made known to a wider audience, perhaps referring to the spread of the gospel following the resurrection. See the discussion in France, pages 208–210.)
For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light: This verse forms a doublet. A doublet states the same idea in two ways. In other words, 4:22a means the same thing as 4:22b. A doublet is a poetic form that adds emphasis to the idea.
There are at least two ways to translate this doublet:
• Keep the doublet. If it is natural in your language to state the same idea in two ways, you should translate both parts of the doublet. You may need to add a phrase at the beginning of the second part of the doublet to indicate that you are repeating the idea. For example:
…whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed. As I said, whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open.
• Combine the two parts of the doublet into one statement. If people will think that each part of the doublet means a different thing, then you may want to combine the two statements. If you do this, you may want to include an expression that adds emphasis. Here is an example:
For whatever is hidden or concealed is indeed meant to be disclosed/revealed
4:22a
For: The word For indicates that this verse explains 4:21. Just as a lamp is not hidden but put in a place where everyone can see it, so God will reveal all things that are hidden.
Use a word or phrase in your language that indicates that what follows explains Jesus’ words in 4:21. For example:
In the same way also
-or-
Likewise
In some languages the connection of 4:22 with 4:21 may be clear without using an explicit connecting word or phrase. If that is true in your language, you may be able to leave the connection implied.
there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed: The Greek clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed indicates that “all hidden things will be disclosed/revealed.” For example:
Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open (Good News Bible)
-or-
Everything that is hidden will be made clear (New Century Version)
This clause is passive. It implies that at the proper time God intends to reveal whatever is hidden. In some languages you may need to make this meaning more explicit. For example:
God intends to disclose whatever is hidden now
nothing: In this context, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as nothing can refer to several things. It can refer to the teachings of Jesus, to who Jesus truly was as the Christ, and to the kingdom of God. You should use an expression that allows those possible meanings. You should avoid an expression that refers primarily to things or objects.
hidden: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hidden is used figuratively in this context. It refers to secret knowledge or teaching that has not previously been made known.
If there is no word in your language such as “hidden” or “concealed,” you may be able to express the meaning in a different way. For example:
whatever has not been made known
-or-
all that people do not yet know
be disclosed: The verb be disclosed means “be revealed” or “be shown.” This verb is passive. If it is more natural in your language to use an active statement and say who will disclose/reveal these hidden things, you may say “God.” For example:
God will disclose/reveal
However, if it is possible to translate more generally, you should do so. See the following note on “be brought out into the open.”
4:22a
and nothing concealed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as concealed has a similar meaning as the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “hidden” above. If you have two words like “hidden” and “secret” that are close in meaning, you should use the other one here. For example:
every secret thing (New Century Version)
-or-
whatever is covered (Good News Bible)
be brought to light: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as be brought to light is literally “come into the light/open.” It refers here to previously unknown truth becoming known, plain or evident.
This verse does not specify who will make known the secret information. It could be Jesus or God or the disciples or all three. (Swete (page 82) understands the disciples. TRT (page 52) suggests Jesus or God. France (page 208) suggests God or the disciples or both. Clearly all three had a role in making known the new truth about God’s kingdom.) So if possible, translate this expression in a general way.
Here are some other ways to translate this:
will be made known (New Century Version)
-or-
will be uncovered (Good News Bible)
-or-
be brought out into the open (New International Version, 2011 edition)
In languages that do not use passive verbs, you may be able to translate this phrase in one of the following ways:
will become clear/evident
-or-
will become known
-or-
he/God will openly make known
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