Original Word: κρυπτός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: kruptos
Pronunciation: kroop-TOS
Phonetic Spelling: (kroop-tos')
KJV: hid(-den), inward(-ly), secret
NASB: secret, hidden, secrets, things hidden, inwardly
Word Origin: [from G2928 (κρύπτω - hidden)]

1. concealed, i.e. private

hidden, inward, secret.

From krupto; concealed, i.e. Private -- hid(-den), inward(-ly), secret.

see GREEK krupto

Word Origin
from kruptó
Definition
hidden
NASB Translation
hidden (5), inwardly (1), secret (7), secrets (2), things hidden (2).

STRONGS NT 2927: κρυπτός

κρυπτός, κρύπτη, κρυπτόν (κρύπτω) (from Homer down), hidden, concealed, secret: Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; Luke 12:2 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 441 (410)); ὁ κρυπτός τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος, the inner part of man, the soul, 1 Peter 3:4; neuter, ἐν τῷ κρύπτω, in secret, Matthew 6:4, 6, 18 Rec.; ἐν κρύπτω, privately, in secret, John 7:4, 10; John 18:20; ὁ ἐν κρύπτω Ἰουδαῖος, he who is a Jew inwardly, in soul and not in circumcision alone, Romans 2:29; τά κρυπτά τοῦ σκότους (the hidden things of darkness i. e.) things covered by darkness, 1 Corinthians 4:5; τά κρυπτά τῶν ἀνθρώπων, the things which men conceal, Romans 2:16; τά κρυπτά τῆς καρδίας, his secret thoughts, feelings, desires, 1 Corinthians 14:25; τά κρυπτά τῆς αἰσχύνης (see αἰσχύνη, 1), 2 Corinthians 4:2; εἰς κρυπτόν into a secret place, Luke 11:33 in some editions of Rec., but see κρύπτη.

Divine omniscience and the secret place

The first cluster of occurrences (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18) fixes the theme: God “sees what is done in secret” and rewards accordingly. Scripture affirms that no hidden thought or deed escapes the Lord (Proverbs 15:3; Hebrews 4:13). The word in these verses accents the contrast between the unseen realm known to God alone and the visible arena that can entice hypocrisy. It is not man’s gaze but the Father’s omniscience that shapes the disciple’s conduct.

Authentic piety versus public display

Jesus applies the term to almsgiving, prayer, and fasting—three core disciplines of Jewish devotion. The challenge is not secrecy for secrecy’s sake but sincerity. Works paraded for applause have “received their reward in full” (Matthew 6:2), whereas works done “in secret” seek God’s reward. The early church adopted the same ethic; church orders such as the Didache echo Matthew 6, urging discreet generosity lest pride cancel heavenly recompense.

The hidden heart: inner transformation

Romans 2:29 turns from actions to identity: “A Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit”. Here the hidden realm is the regenerate core created by the Spirit. Likewise 1 Peter 3:4 commends “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” Both passages insist that new-covenant faith is primarily internal; outward rites or adornments are secondary reflections of a renovated heart.

Revelation of secrets in eschatological judgment

What is now concealed will be disclosed. Jesus’ sayings (Matthew 10:26; Mark 4:22; Luke 8:17; 12:2) and Paul’s teaching (Romans 2:16; 1 Corinthians 4:5) converge: a future unveiling will expose every secret and motive. “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (1 Corinthians 4:5). The certainty of final revelation injects seriousness into present conduct, urging repentance and perseverance.

Hidden motives exposed by prophetic ministry

In congregational worship “the secrets of his heart will be revealed” (1 Corinthians 14:25) when prophecy operates correctly. The Spirit who dwells in believers continues the revelatory work of Christ, unmasking inner thoughts so that worship leads to conviction and conversion. Similarly, Paul renounces “secret and shameful ways” in gospel ministry (2 Corinthians 4:2), contrasting transparent proclamation with clandestine manipulation.

Christ and secrecy in the Fourth Gospel

John records three strategic uses. Jesus’ unbelieving brothers urge a public debut: “For no one who wants to be known publicly acts in secret” (John 7:4). He refuses, later attending the Feast “in secret” (7:10). Yet the Lord insists, “I have spoken openly to the world… I said nothing in secret” (18:20). The tension lies between timing and content. His message was never esoteric; His movements were sometimes discreet until “His hour” arrived.

Mission and proclamation: from hidden to revealed

The kingdom’s dynamic moves from concealment to manifestation. Parables, once cryptic, become clear after the resurrection; the gospel, once limited to Israel, is shouted from housetops. Disciples may begin in the “inner room” but are commissioned to “make disciples of all nations.” God’s pattern: form character in private, display grace in public.

Pastoral and ministry implications

• Spiritual disciplines: cultivate unseen communion with the Father; resist the allure of platform-driven piety.
• Integrity: secret habits eventually surface; leaders must guard private life as zealously as public reputation.
• Counseling: encourage believers that God treasures the hidden virtues others overlook (1 Peter 3:4).
• Evangelism: assure unbelievers that God already knows their secrets (Romans 2:16) yet offers mercy before the day of disclosure.

Historical notes

Under persecution, early Christians often met clandestinely, catacombs and private homes serving as “secret places.” Yet their message remained boldly public, fulfilling Acts 5:42. Patristic writings warn against the “discipline of secrecy” morphing into elitism; orthodoxy insists that the gospel is open truth, not a mystery cult.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 2927 threads through the New Testament to declare that (1) God alone fully sees and evaluates the hidden realm; (2) true righteousness grows in that unseen sphere; (3) nothing will remain concealed when Christ judges the world; (4) gospel ministry must be transparent, never deceitful; and (5) the believer’s hidden life with God is the wellspring of lasting fruitfulness.

κρυπ΄τας κρυπτα κρυπτά κρυπτὰ κρυπταί κρυπτον κρυπτόν κρυπτὸν κρυπτος κρυπτός κρυπτὸς κρυπτω κρυπτώ κρυπτῷ κρυφαιω κρυφαίῳ kruphaio kruphaiō krupta krupto kruptō krupton kruptos kryphaio kryphaiō kryphaíoi kryphaíōi krypta kryptà krypto kryptō kryptôi kryptō̂i krypton kryptòn kryptos kryptòsInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts