Mateus 12
J.C. Ryle · Citado em PreceptAustin
Mateus 12
Ryle - let us gather from these verses the exceeding sinfulness of sins against knowledge. This is a practical conclusion which appears to flow naturally from our Lord’s words about the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Difficult as these words undoubtedly are, they seem fairly to prove that there are degrees in sin. Offences arising from ignorance of the true mission of the Son of Man, will not be punished so heavily as offences committed against the noontide light of the dispensation of the Holy Ghost. The brighter the light, the greater the guilt of him who rejects it. The clearer a man’s knowledge of the nature of the Gospel, the greater his sin, if he wilfully refuses to repent and believe. The doctrine here taught is one that does not stand alone in Scripture. The writer to the Hebrews, “It is impossible for those who were once enlightened—if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance.” “If we sin wilfully, after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a fearful looking for of judgment.” Heb. 6:4–7, and Heb 10:26, 27.) It is a doctrine of which we find mournful proofs in every quarter. The unconverted children of godly parents, the unconverted servants of godly families, and the unconverted members of evangelical congregations are the hardest people on earth to impress. They seem past feeling. The same fire which melts the wax, hardens the clay—It is a doctrine, moreover, which receives awful confirmation from the histories of some of those whose last ends were eminently hopeless. Pharaoh, and Saul, and Ahab, and Judas Iscariot, and Julian, and Francis Spira, are fearful illustrations of our Lord’s meaning. In each of these cases there was a combination of clear knowledge and deliberate rejection of Christ (ED: I AM NOT AS SURE AS RYLE IS ABOUT KING SAUL). In each there was light in the head, but hatred of truth in the heart. And the end of each seems to have been blackness of darkness for ever. May God give us a will to use our knowledge, whether it be little or great! May we beware of neglecting our opportunities, and leaving our privileges unimproved! Have we light? Then let us live fully up to our light. Do we know the truth? Then let us walk in the truth. This is the best safeguard against the unpardonable sin. William Lane - Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit forever removes a man beyond the sphere where forgiveness is possible. This solemn warning must be interpreted in the light of the specific situation in which it was uttered. Blasphemy is an expression of defiant hostility toward God ... “the profanation of the Name.” ... This is the danger to which the scribes exposed themselves when they attributed to the agency of Satan the redemption brought by Jesus. The expulsion of demons was a sign of the intrusion of the Kingdom of God. Yet the scribal accusations against Jesus amount to a denial of the power and greatness of the Spirit of God. By assigning the action of God to a demonic origin the scribes betray a perversion of spirit which, in defiance of the truth, chooses to call light darkness. In this historical context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit denotes the conscious and deliberate rejection of the saving power and grace of God released through Jesus’ word and act.... The failure of the scribes to recognize him as the Bearer of the Spirit and the Conqueror of Satan could be forgiven. The considered judgment that his power was demonic, however, betrayed a defiant resistance to the Holy Spirit. This severe warning was not addressed to laymen but to carefully trained legal specialists whose task was to interpret the biblical law to the people. It was their responsibility to be aware of God’s redemptive action. Their insensitivity to the Spirit through whom Jesus was qualified for his mission exposed them to grave peril. Their own tradition condemned their gross callousness as sharply as Jesus’ word. The admonition concerning blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is not to be divorced from this historical context and applied generally. Mark emphasizes this by terminating the incident with a reference to the specific accusation that Jesus was possessed by an unclean spirit.... [R]epetition and a fixed attitude of mind ... brought the scribes to the brink of unforgivable blasphemy. (Lane, Mark, 145-56) John Broadus - The conditions, then, under which this unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Spirit of God is committed, are (1) that there shall be a work manifestly supernatural, unmistakably the work of God and not of man, and (2) that one shall, in determined and malignant opposition, insultingly ascribe to Satan this which he knows to be the work of God. Now, are these conditions ever fulfilled, except in an age of miracles? Can any other divine work, as, for instance, the conversion of a friend, or a general revival of spirituality, be so unquestionably and unmistakably the work of God, that a person ascribing it to Satan is guilty, not merely of sin, but of that flagrant and deeply malignant blasphemy against God which is unpardonable? This is the question to be decided; and it can hardly be decided in the affirmative. Daniel Akin - The unpardonable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently attribute to Satan the works of God done by and in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to these truths in your heart. (1) It is a sin of full knowledge. (2) It is an ongoing disposition of the heart that resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (3) It is a verbal act that attributes the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. (4) It is a willful rejection of God’s grace in Jesus. (5) It is rooted in unbelief. (6) It is a sin a Christian cannot commit. (7) It is a sin not committed by one who is concerned that he may have committed it. (Exalting Jesus in Mark) Ray Pritchard - A while back, I received a letter from a prisoner who had committed a terrible crime. Now behind bars, he felt deep remorse and feared that he had committed the unpardonable sin. I wrote him back and told him that he had definitely not committed the unpardonable sin. How could I be so sure? The one certain mark of the unpardonable sin is that you would never care that you had committed it. It’s not just any sin; it’s a hard-hearted, persistent, deliberate and final rejection of the Lord. Such a person takes the key to heaven and deliberately throws it away. He says, “I’d rather go to hell,” and then laughs about it. Anyone who worries about committing the unpardonable sin shows that they still have a conscience. Alan Carr - Can This Sin Be Committed Today? Yes! Here's How! 1. The Holy Spirit still testifies of Jesus, declaring Him to be all that the Scriptures say He is John 15:26 2. The Holy Spirit still convicts of sin John 16:7-10; John 6:44 3. The Unpardonable Sin is simply rejecting the Spirit's witness of the Son and therefore, refusing to receive Him as Personal Savior 1 John 5:12; John 3:36. No other sin can send you to Hell! Everything else was paid for at the Cross. But for you to be saved, you must receive the witness of the Spirit and ask Jesus into your heart!! ⇒ Psalm 19 tells us that the heavens themselves declare the existence of God Psa. 19:1-3. But, you can reject that revelation for a while later come to know Jesus. The Scriptures tell us that Jesus Christ is the “Son of God” Mat. 16:16. Yet, you can reject that for a time and later come to know the Lord in eternal salvation. You can deny all the evidence around you and refuse to believe and still not commit the unpardonable sin. Yet, when the Holy Spirit of God deals with your heart, and you see for yourself that the claims of the Scriptures are true. When the Spirit shows you that Jesus really is God and is the only hope for sinners. That He really did die and rise again and that you can be saved if you will only trust Him. When you say no to the Spirit of God, then you have crossed that line!! You are guilty of committing the Unpardonable Sin! That isn't to say that God won't give you 1, 2, 10 or even dozens more chances, but it doesn't mean He will either! Saying “No” to the pleading of the Spirit is a serious thing! Eventually, it will lead to Hell, unless the sinner says, “Yes!” After all, Jesus is the only hope man has for salvation Acts 4:12; John 14:6; Acts 16:31) ( Have You Committed The Unpardonable Sin?) C H
Mateus 12
Ryle - There are few of our Lord's sayings which are so heart-searching as this. There is nothing, perhaps, to which most men pay less attention than their words. They go through their daily work, speaking and talking without thought or reflection, and seem to imagine that if they do what is right, it matters but little what they say. But is it so? Are our words so utterly trifling and unimportant? We dare not say so, with such a passage of Scripture as this before our eyes. Our words are the evidence of the state of our hearts, as surely as the taste of the water is an evidence of the state of the spring. "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The lips only utter what the mind conceives. Our words will form one subject of inquiry at the day of judgment. We shall have to give account of our sayings, as well as our doings. Truly these are very solemn considerations. If there were no other text in the Bible, this passage ought to convince us, that we are all "guilty before God," and need a righteousness better than our own, even the righteousness of Christ. (Phil. 3:9.) Let us be humble as we read this passage, in the recollection of time past. How many idle, foolish, vain, light, frivolous, sinful, and unprofitable things we have all said! How many words we have used, which, like thistle-down, have flown far and wide, and sown mischief in the hearts of others that will never die! How often when we have met our friends, "our conversation," to use an old saint's expression, "has only made work for repentance." There is deep truth in the remark of Burkitt, "A profane scoff or atheistical jest may stick in the minds of those that hear it, after the tongue that spoke it is dead. A word spoken is physically transient, but morally permanent." "Death and life," says Solomon, "are in the power of the tongue." (Prov. 18:21.) Let us be watchful as we read this passage about words, when we look forward to our days yet to come. Let us resolve, by God's grace, to be more careful over our tongues, and more particular about our use of them. Let us pray daily that our "speech may be always with grace." (Coloss. 4:6.) Let us say every morning with holy David, "I will take heed to my ways, that I offend not in my tongue." Let us cry with him to the Strong for strength, and say, "Set a watch over my mouth, and keep the door of my lips." Well indeed might James say, "If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man." (Psalm. 39:1, 141:3; James 3:2.) (Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels) Careless (692)(argos from a = without + érgon = work) literally means without work, without labor, doing nothing, as one not working the ground and so living without labor. As employed in the New Testament, argos always describes something inoperative or unserviceable. Argos describes that which is not working, ineffective, barren, yielding no return or worthless, not accomplishing anything. Argos was used to describe money that was yielding no interest or of a field lying fallow. All 7 NT uses - Matt. 12:36; Matt. 20:3; Matt. 20:6; 1 Tim. 5:13; Tit. 1:12; Jas. 2:20; 2 Pet. 1:8 Zodhiates on argos - Argós sometimes connotes indolence, slothfulness, or laziness (1 Tim. 5:13; Titus 1:12; 2 Pet. 1:8), but this should not be confused with the concept of "slow" since we are commanded to be "slow [bradús {1021] to speak" (James 1:19). There is a slowness in laziness and presumption, but there is also a slowness in strategy. In the realm of words, unbelievers care little about what they speak. They speak foolishness, for they do not believe their words will be judged: "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards" (Pr. 29:11). We believers, on the other hand, while fully capable of thinking nonsense, should restrain ourselves from displaying it. We should measure our words before we broadcast them to the public. To think before we speak takes time; thus, the command to be "slow to speak." (Exegetical Commentary on Matthew) 🙏 THOUGHT - Are our words "working" (ergon) words, words that are productive and which edify? "Not working" words include those that are flippant, irresponsible, hypocritical or in any way inappropriate. Study Paul's great verse of Spirit enabled speech in Eph 4:29+. QUESTION - What did Jesus mean that “by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37)? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER - In a context in which Jesus chastises the scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him and His message, He tells them that “by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). Throughout His time on earth, Jesus challenged those who exhibited spiritual pride and hypocrisy, and the Pharisees consistently demonstrated both. In this context the Pharisees had condemned the innocent (Matthew 12:7) by accusing Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath, implicating Jesus as breaking the Sabbath as well. Ultimately, they attributed Jesus’ signs and miracles to Satan (Matthew 12:24). They had hardened their hearts against Him and spoke falsely against Him and His disciples. They deserved His criticism when He said, “By your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). Jesus illustrates that principle by stating that a tree is known for its fruit. What the tree produces reveals what the tree is really made of (Matthew 12:33). “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. A tree produces fruit according to the kind of tree it is. In the same way, Jesus explains, the mouth speaks from the heart. He calls the Pharisees a “brood of vipers” because they were like serpents who poisoned others. They spoke deceptively and tried to appear good, but what they said and taught was falsehood. Their hearts were not filled with good; thus, what came out of their mouths was not good, either (Matthew 12:34). “You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. When He said, “By your words you will be condemned,” Jesus was explaining that their words showed what was in their hearts. They had rejected God’s kingdom and shown they were unloving and that they hated justice. Their words reflected evil attitudes. Jesus then lays down the principle that a good man treasures good. When that man brings forth something from what he values, it is good. On the other hand, the evil man values what is evil, and when he brings forth from what he has invested in, it will be only evil (Matthew 12:35). “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. Jesus makes it clear that these things will be brought to light and will be judged. All will be held accountable for all of what they have said (Matthew 12:36). “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. What we say comes from our hearts. We are accountable for what we say, and we are accountable for what is in our hearts. Jesus said that “by your words you are justified and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” He was not suggesting that by saying the right words people can be made righteous. Rather, He was explaining to the Pharisees that their words reflected what was in their hearts. Their words would either show that they were righteous, having righteousness in their hearts, or their words would show their unrighteousness. The Pharisees’ words were evidence that they had rejected Jesus. Jesus tells them that they can’t hide what is in their hearts. It shines through for everyone to see. Matthew 12:37 is a good reminder for all of us to listen carefully and to be accountable for what we say, as our words reflect our hearts. Jesus exhorted people to let Him change their hearts and make them righteous. We are similarly called to be born again by believing in Him (Jn 3:3-7+). As we grow in our knowledge of Him, the way we think, feel, and talk will change. The Pharisees refused to learn that, and they needed to hear that “by your words you will be condemned.” Illustration of "careless word": In 1980, Lee Atwater, a political campaign manager, inflicted terrible pain with his words. His staff learned that an opposing congressional candidate from South Carolina had once experienced severe depression and undergone electric shock therapy. When Atwater released the information to the press, it humiliated the candidate and cast doubt on his ability. In anguish, the man questioned Atwater's campaign ethics. Atwater responded by saying that he had no intention of responding to a man "hooked up to a jumper cable." Ten years later, Atwater was afflicted with an incurable brain tumor. He was confined to bed, attached to machines and tubes and wires. Before he died, he wrote the candidate a letter and asked to be forgiven. He saw how cruel and heartless his words had been. Our words can be just as devastating. And it seems that it's our children or family or fellow believers whom we hurt the most. As believers in Christ, we have an obligation before God to evaluate the impact of our words. Idle, angry, hateful words can inflict great harm, for which we will be held accountable (Mt 12:36-37). Use words of kindness, filled with love, That heal and nourish life Instead of hurling angry words That wound and stir up strife. —Sper Think before you act; think twice before you speak. Matthew 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” NET Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." GNT Matthew 12:37 ἐκ γὰρ τῶν λόγων σου δικαιωθήσῃ, καὶ ἐκ τῶν λόγων σου καταδικασθήσῃ. NLT Matthew 12:37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you." KJV Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. ESV Matthew 12:37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." NIV Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." ASV Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. CSB Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." NKJ Matthew 12:37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." NRS Matthew 12:37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." YLT Matthew 12:37 for from thy words thou shalt be declared righteous, and from thy words thou shalt be declared unrighteous.' NAB Matthew 12:37 By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." NJB Matthew 12:37 since it is by your words you will be justified, and by your words condemned.' GWN Matthew 12:37 By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty." BBE Matthew 12:37 For by your words will your righteousness be seen, and by your words you will be judged. For by : Pr 13:3 justified: Jas 2:21-25 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries YOUR WORDS DETERMINE YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY Aren't you a bit shocked by the words of Jesus? If we take this passage out of the context of the rest of the teaching of the NT, we would be forced to agree with every other "religion" and every cult that we are justified by works, in this case the "works of our tongue" so to speak! John MacArthur gives an excellent explanation of the context to help understand Jesus' declaration in this passage - First there was doubt, then there was criticism, then there was indifference, then open rejection, and finally blasphemy. They’re no longer just wondering, they’re no longer indifferent, they’re no longer just rejecting Him, they are turning on Him in overt vile blasphemy. And that is what we read in Matthew 12:22-32. That is the record of the blasphemy of the Jewish leaders against Jesus Christ. And the substance of their blasphemy is in Mt 12:24, and it is really the key to understanding our passage for today. For in that they say, “This fellow,” referring to Christ, “doeth no cast out demons but by Beelzebub, the prince of demons.” And of course that is a name for Satan. So they watched Jesus cast the demons out of a man who was blind and dumb and no doubt deaf, in Mt 12:22. They saw the amazement of the people in Mt 12:23, and the people began to wonder if Jesus might not be the Messiah, the Son of David. And they were immediately threatened by the musings of the people. They were threatened by the thought that they might assume Jesus to be the Messiah, so they hurriedly and publicly affirmed that He did what He did by the power of the Devil – by the power of the Devil. And thus they spoke against Jesus Christ the most terrible words that have ever been spoken in human history, the most terrible words that ever fell from human lips, to have called Jesus Christ satanic, to have said of the lovely spotless gift of heaven that He was from hell. They had concluded the very antithesis of the truth and they had blasphemed the Lord and the Holy Spirit who worked through Him. They had committed a crime unequaled in human history. Now that conclusion leads us to the next passage. Jesus has condemned them in Mt 12:31-32. He told them that that kind of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, who was at work through Christ, could never be forgiven. In other words, if you have all of the revelation there is to have – you’ve seen the miracles, you’ve heard His teachings, you’ve seen the quality of His life, you’ve seen His attitude, you’ve been able to be exposed to everything there is about Him - and your conclusion is that He is from the Devil, you are unredeemable. Because you have concluded the very opposite with the fullness of revelation. They were lost and they could never be saved; they were lost forever.And their words became that which ultimately damned them. Now may I hasten to say, they were not so much damned by their words as their damnation was made evident by what they said. It was clear they were to be damned by the words that came out from within them. It is not that you are damned by your words; it is that you are damned because your words will reveal the corruption of your heart. That is the issue. That is the substance of the passage. So they were, in effect, rendered hopeless in Mt 12:31-32 because of the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as He ministered through Christ, but their words became the mark of their hopelessness. The words that they spoke were the objective external evidence of their corrupt and vile and wretched, wicked hearts. (Matthew 12:33-37 Exposing the Truth About Men's Hearts) For - Jesus has just spoken of our words and the fact that they will be judged. Now He explains what that judgment entails. As noted above Jesus is not teaching that we are saved by works (words). He is not negating the teaching of Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." His point is actually related to Paul's next statement "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Eph 2:10). So clearly we are saved by faith, but then Paul shows that a faith that truly saves will result in good works (or in the present context good words). The good works (words) do not save a person, but they serve to demonstrate that they are genuinely born again. Our words reveal the character of our heart. By your words you will be justified - Paraphrase of you will be justified = "Shown to be justified." (ESV Study Bible) Keeping the truth in Ephesians 2:8-10 in mind it becomes clear that what Jesus is saying is that your words will demonstrate the state of your heart, the treasure of your heart as He stated in Mt 12:35. And here Jesus says that God will judge men according to their words. In other words (pun intended) your words will become the objective criteria by which God makes His judgment. If your words are good words, they indicate a good heart and that indicates that you have been declared righteous by grace through faith in Christ and His Gospel (for there is no other way). Remember that Jesus said earlier "the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." (Mt 12:34) So good words come forth from a good heart which has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Will be justified is an interesting phrase. Why? Because believers have been justified by faith when they believed the Gospel (Ro 3:24+). Justification is a past tense, one time event for the believer. And yet Jesus uses the future tense, will be justified, but the context is that of future judgment. So clearly believers once justified do not need to be re-justified so to speak. The meaning of justified in his context is the same as in James 2:21 (see more discussion) where we read "Abraham our father (was) justified (dikaioo) by works." In that context the verb justified means shown to be justified. In other words Abraham's "work" of his willingness to offer up Isaac (in Genesis 22) showed or demonstrated or proved that he had in fact already been justified by faith years earlier in Genesis 15:6+ when "he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness." In the same way, the good words of believers will demonstrate, show or prove that they have a good heart, which is in turn the result of their past justification by faith. Their fruit of their good words will demonstrate the authenticity of the root of a good heart which was created in them by God's Spirit when they were born again by grace through faith. Will be justified (1344)(dikaioo from dike = right, expected behavior or conformity, not according to one’s own standard, but according to an imposed standard with prescribed punishment for nonconformity) means to show or declare the rightness of someone. Dikaioo describes the act by which a man is brought into a right state of relationship to God. Dikaioo is a legal term having to do with the law and the the courtroom, where it represented the legally binding verdict of the judge. This is the sense in which Paul uses dikaioo in this section in Romans (Ro 3:21-5:11) in which he unfolds the doctrine of justification. Wuest using simple, non-technical language explains that dikaioo "refers to the act of God removing the guilt and penalty of sin from a sinner who places his faith in the Lord Jesus as Saviour and the bestowal of the positive righteousness of Jesus Christ, in Whom that believer stands a righteous person before God’s law for time and eternity, all this made possible by and based upon the satisfaction (propitiation) which Jesus Christ offered on the Cross as a complete payment of the penalty imposed by the law because of human infractions of that law, thus satisfying His justice, maintaining His government, and making possible the bestowal of mercy upon the basis of justice satisfied." All this is not possible by "works of the law"! Thomas Manton - "Words do much discover the temper of a man's heart. There are three operations of man by which he is discovered to be what he is—thoughts, words, and actions… Certainly in all these things there should be a difference between the people of God and others." And (kai) links the two destinies of every man and woman ever born. It could have easily been a term of contrast as these are diametrically different destinies, one leading to Heaven and the other leading to Hell! By your words you will be condemned - And so the words of a man are an accurate gauge of the condition of their heart, whether regenerate or in this case unregenerate. For the one who will be condemned, their condemnation is because their heart has never been changed by the Spirit of Christ. It is still so to speak "uncircumcised' spiritually! And the way this judgment is made according to this passage is by reviewing the record of this man's words, which were evil words for that is all that could come from the "treasure" of his evil heart. What Jesus is also saying is that we are each individually responsible and culpable for our own words and we cannot say things like "The devil made me do it!" And so for the unregenerate man, he will be responsible for his (her) words at the Great White Throne judgment. (Rev 20:11-15+). Notice John's description "And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds." (Rev 20:12+) The implication is that their words are written in the books! And by their words they "were judged, every one of them according to their deeds" (Rev 20:13+) and then they are "thrown into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:15+) John says "their deeds" while Jesus says "your words," and they are essentially synonymous for evil works and words will both produce the same judgment and condemnation! Condemned (Judged)(2919)(krino) primarily signifies to distinguish, to decide between. The basic meaning of krino is to form an opinion after separating and considering the particulars in the case. Krino means to evaluate and determine what is right, proper, and expedient for correction. John writes "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge (krino) the world (THE FIRST COMING), but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged (krino); he who does not believe has been judged (krino) already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:17, 18+) Expositor's Greek Testament - Judgment by words here taught; in Matthew 25:31-46 judgment by the presence or absence of kind deeds. No contradiction, for words are viewed as the index of a good or bad heart: bad positively, like that of the Pharisees, who spoke wickedly; bad negatively, like that of the thoughtless, who speak senselessly. Complete Biblical Library Commentary - The words themselves are not so much a factor in judgment as is the heart—either good or evil—which pours them out (Matthew 12:34; James 3:10-12; cf. Luke 19:22). It is clear, therefore, that judgment will be based upon human intent (which determines either guilt or innocence) and knowledge (which determines the degree of guilt or innocence). (Gilbrant) John Tillotson "What we utter now so freely and without blushing, will then strike us dumb, and be matter of greatest shame and confusion to us, in the presence of God and his holy angels." QUESTION - What did Jesus mean that “by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37)? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER - In a context in which Jesus chastises the scribes and Pharisees for rejecting Him and His message, He tells them that “by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). Throughout His time on earth, Jesus challenged those who exhibited spiritual pride and hypocrisy, and the Pharisees consistently demonstrated both. In this context the Pharisees had condemned the innocent (Matthew 12:7) by accusing Jesus’ disciples of breaking the Sabbath, implicating Jesus as breaking the Sabbath as well. Ultimately, they attributed Jesus’ signs and miracles to Satan (Matthew 12:24). They had hardened their hearts against Him and spoke falsely against Him and His disciples. They deserved His criticism when He said, “By your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). Jesus illustrates that principle by stating that a tree is known for its fruit. What the tree produces reveals what the tree is really made of (Matthew 12:30). A tree produces fruit according to the kind of tree it is. In the same way, Jesus explains, the mouth speaks from the heart. He calls the Pharisees a “brood of vipers” because they were like serpents who poisoned others. They spoke deceptively and tried to appear good, but what they said and taught was falsehood. Their hearts were not filled with good; thus, what came out of their mouths was not good, either (Matthew 12:34). When He said, “By your words you will be condemned,” Jesus was explaining that their words showed what was in their hearts. They had rejected God’s kingdom and shown they were unloving and that they hated justice. Their words reflected evil attitudes. Jesus then lays down the principle that a good man treasures good. When that man brings forth something from what he values, it is good. On the other hand, the evil man values what is evil, and when he brings forth from what he has invested in, it will be only evil (Matthew 12:35). Jesus makes it clear that these things will be brought to light and will be judged. All will be held accountable for all of what they have said (Matthew 12:36). What we say comes from our hearts. We are accountable for what we say, and we are accountable for what is in our hearts. Jesus said that “by your words you are justified and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). He was not suggesting that by saying the right words people can be made righteous. Rather, He was explaining to the Pharisees that their words reflected what was in their hearts. Their words would either show that they were righteous, having righteousness in their hearts, or their words would show their unrighteousness. The Pharisees’ words were evidence that they had rejected Jesus. Jesus tells them that they can’t hide what is in their hearts. It shines through for everyone to see. Matthew 12:37 is a good reminder for all of us to listen carefully and to be accountable for what we say, as our words reflect our hearts. Matthew 12:37 is a good reminder for all of us to listen carefully and to be accountable for what we say, as our words reflect our hearts. Jesus exhorted people to let Him change their hearts and make them righteous. We are similarly called to be born again by believing in Him. As we grow in our knowledge of Him, the way we think, feel, and talk will change. The Pharisees refused to learn that, and they needed to hear that “by your words you will be condemned.” QUESTION - What did Jesus mean that “by your words you will be justified” (Matthew 12:37)? ANSWER - In Matthew 12:37, Jesus says, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (ESV). Here, Jesus makes a connection between our hearts and the words we speak. Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified” in the context of addressing the Pharisees, who had just accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Matthew 12:27). Jesus uses this opportunity to teach on the connection between the Pharisees’ hearts and their words. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, people are known by their words. The idea is that words reveal the condition of our hearts: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (verse 34, ESV). Words, then, are not insignificant. On the contrary, they are direct manifestations of what lies within our hearts. Since the Pharisees had spoken evil things about Jesus, they demonstrated the evil in their hearts. Radical conversion by the Holy Spirit is necessary to cleanse our hearts and make us new (John 3:3, 5; Titus 3:5). Following conversion, our words will “justify” us, i.e., our words will acquit us and demonstrate that we have been born again. When Jesus says, “By your words you will be justified” (NKJV), He is not saying that our words possess some kind of magical power to make us right before God. Rather, He is saying that God-glorifying words are evidence of saving faith. Just as fruit reveals the health of a tree, our words reveal the spiritual health of our hearts. In this way, pure, righteous, and holy speech demonstrates the genuineness of our faith. Conversely, if our words are evil, blasphemous, or deceitful, that is a sign we are not right with God. Matthew 12:37 corresponds to several other biblical passages. For example, Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (ESV). Here, Solomon points out that words can either have a positive or negative impact. To use Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:37, words can either “acquit” or “condemn” us. Therefore, it is important for us to be mindful of how we use our words. Believers should always use their words to glorify God and edify others. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths,” Paul says to the Ephesians, “but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29, ESV). James teaches that controlling the tongue is basic to godly living: “If we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way” (James 3:2, NLT). Romans 10:9–10 also makes the connection between our hearts and our words: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (ESV). Confession, then, is an outward expression of saving faith, and it is by our words that we will be justified or shown to be genuine believers (Matthew 12:37). Matthew 12:37 reminds us that words are significant because they reveal where we stand with God. Matthew 12:37 reminds us that words are significant because they reveal where we stand with God. If we have been justified by faith, then we will live and walk by the Spirit, producing good fruit, including good speech. If we are not in right standing with God, then that, too, will be evident by our words (see Matthew 7:16). Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” NET Matthew 12:38 Then some of the experts in the law along with some Pharisees answered him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." GNT Matthew 12:38 Τότε ἀπεκρίθησαν αὐτῷ τινες τῶν γραμματέων καὶ Φαρισαίων λέγοντες, Διδάσκαλε, θέλομεν ἀπὸ σοῦ σημεῖον ἰδεῖν. NLT Matthew 12:38 One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority." KJV Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. ESV Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." NIV Matthew 12:38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you." ASV Matthew 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. CSB Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." NKJ Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." NRS Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." YLT Matthew 12:38 Then answered certain of the scribes and Pharisees, saying, 'Teacher, we will to see a sign from thee.' NAB Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." NJB Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. 'Master,' they said, 'we should like to see a sign from you.' GWN Matthew 12:38 Then some scribes and Pharisees said, "Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign." BBE Matthew 12:38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees, hearing this, said to him, Master, we are looking for a sign from you. Teacher: Mt 16:1-4 Mk 8:11-12 Lu 11:16,29 Joh 2:18 Jn 4:48 1Co 1:22 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Mark 8:11-12+ The Pharisees came out and began to argue with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, to test Him. 12 Sighing deeply in His spirit, He *said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Comment - So, while Jesus refused to give an immediate “sign from heaven” to the Pharisees, He did promise one final, ultimate sign, His resurrection, prefigured by Jonah’s three days in the fish. Luke 11:16+ Others, to test Him, were demanding of Him a sign from heaven.. John 2:18+ The Jews then said to Him, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” John 4:48+ So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:22+ For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS' INSINCERE DEMAND FOR A SIGN Then some of the scribes (grammateus) and Pharisees (pharisaios) said to Him, “Teacher (didaskalos), we want to see a sign (semeion) from You - Keep the context in mind for by this point in Matthew’s Gospel, these groups had repeatedly accused Jesus of working by Satan’s power (Matthew 12:24), rejected His authority, and ignored His miracles that validated His divine mission. Thus, when they say, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You,” it is not a request from faith but a challenge of unbelief and defiance (Lk 11:16+; Mk 8:11+ says it was "to test Him"). The religious leaders did not want the truth. They wanted control, which Jesus threatened. Their request was unbelief disguised as spirituality. Gotquestions.org - Jesus also stated that His forthcoming resurrection from the dead would vindicate the very special claims that He made for Himself (Matthew 12:38-40). After having been crucified and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, Jesus did, in fact, rise from the dead, establishing His claims to deity. (Divinity of Christ) QUESTION - Why do so many people seek after signs and wonders? GOTQUESTIONS.ORG ANSWER - Our God is a God of wonders (Psalm 136:3-4). As the Creator and Sustainer of all that is, God has the power to suspend natural laws in order to fulfill His purposes. Miracles were a part of the ministries of Moses, Elijah and Elisha, and of course Jesus and the apostles, and their miracles primarily served the purpose of confirming their message as being from God (Hebrews 2:3-4). Today, many people still seek to experience the miraculous, and some will go to great lengths to have that experience. There may be many reasons for such a desire, and Scripture gives us at least five: 1. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they want confirmation of the truth of God. There is nothing inherently wrong with this desire. In fact, God willingly gave signs to Moses (Exodus 4:1-9) and Gideon (Judges 6:11-22) to confirm His word. Miracles can aid a person’s coming to faith, as in John 2:23, “Many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.” However, there comes a time when enough miracles have been performed—the truth has been proved—and it is time to exercise faith. When Moses hesitated to obey after a series of miracles at the burning bush, “the LORD’s anger burned” (Exodus 4:14). Also, it is nobler in God’s sight to believe without needing a miracle. Jesus visited the Samaritans, and “because of his words many more became believers” (John 4:41, emphasis added). Just a few verses later, Jesus rebukes the Galileans: “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders . . . you will never believe” (John 4:48). Unlike the Samaritans, the people of Galilee required signs and wonders. 2. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they do not believe the signs and wonders which have already been performed. The Pharisees of Matthew 12 were just such a lot. Jesus had been performing miracles for quite some time when a group of scribes and Pharisees came to Him with an insolent demand to see another sign. In response, Jesus condemned them as “wicked and adulterous” (Matthew 12:38-39). They were “wicked” in that they refused to believe the signs and wonders Christ had already performed. “In spite of his wonders, they did not believe” (Psalm 78:32). Their hearts were hardened towards the truth, even after numerous public miracles. Nothing would make them believe; their hearts were as pharaoh’s, hardened after witnessing so many of Moses’ miracles in Egypt (Exodus 9:34-35). They were “adulterous” in the spiritual sense, having left the true worship of God to follow a man-made set of rules and traditions. Not satisfied with the miracles Jesus was doing, they demanded something even greater. As commentator Matthew
Mateus 12
Ryle says it well: “Let us observe ... how dangerous it is to be content with any change in religion short of thorough conversion to God”. Jesus’ words “are a solemn warning to us, never to be satisfied with religious reformation without heart conversion” (p. 26). As Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out, “we must always remember that there are other powers, beside that of Christ, which can give ‘results.’ ... It is possible for men and women to get relief from many of their ills and troubles apart altogether from the gospel” (Evangelistic Sermons [Banner of Truth], p. 179). This is especially important in our day when truth and doctrine are set aside as of no consequence. We don’t really care about doctrine. We want to know, does it work? What will the gospel do for me? Will it help my troubled marriage? If not, I’ll go to the world if it will get me some results. I had a church member ask me, “If my wife finds help by counseling with a Hindu psychiatrist, what’s wrong with that?” I didn’t say this in reply, but later I thought that I should have said, “If she got relief by sacrificing a chicken to Satan, would that be okay?” (The Heavenly War) And when it comes, it finds it unoccupied (scholazo), swept (saroo), and put in order (kosmeo) - The man who was once "occupied" by a demon is now unoccupied, swept and put in order. The point is that the demon has left, but no new occupant has taken residence. There is no indwelling presence of God, no true regeneration, no new life within. The person is morally improved but spiritually vacant and "open for business." This is the danger of mere external change without internal renewal (cf. John 3:3). A life can be cleaned up, habits reformed, and behavior corrected, yet still lack the presence of the best spirit, the Holy Spirit. Swept and put in order emphasize that there has been a kind of reformation. The “house” looks better. Sinful practices may have been abandoned, and there may be an appearance of discipline, morality, and even religion. But this is only surface-level. Nothing new has been put inside. There is order without life, cleanliness without Christ, structure without substance. A vacant house does not remain empty for long. Without being filled by God, the person remains vulnerable to a worse spiritual condition (see next verse). This principle is seen throughout Scripture that God does not merely call for the removal of sin but for the replacement of sin with His presence and righteousness. Only when Christ dwells within does true security and lasting transformation take place (cf. Galatians 2:20). Otherwise, an empty life, however neat it appears, remains spiritually vulnerable and ultimately in greater peril than before, not only in this life but far worse in the life to come! NET Note - The image of the house empty, swept clean, and put in order refers to the life of the person from whom the demon departed. The key to the example appears to be that no one else has been invited in to dwell. If an exorcism occurs and there is no response to God, then the way is free for the demon to return. Some see the reference to exorcism as more symbolic; thus the story's only point is about responding to Jesus. This is possible and certainly is an application of the passage. Unoccupied (4980) (scholazo from schole = leisure) is used only in Mt 12:44+ (of a building to be unoccupied, stand empty, metaphorically, of a person after demons have been caused to leave); 1Co 7:5+. It means to take a holiday, to have time, be at leisure for (by implication devote oneself wholly to) be free from labor, to give one's time to. Figuratively it is uses of a place and means to be vacant or empty. Here in 1 Cor 7:5 (with the dative), scholazo means to have leisure for something, to give oneself to something free from other cares and hindrances (1 Co 7:5). Scholazo in the Lxx = Ex 5:8, 17+; Ps 46:10+ “Cease striving (scholazo in the aorist imperative ) and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Swept (4563)(saroo) mans to sweep by using a broom. The verb is used by Matthew in the parallel passage (Mt 12:44) and also by Luke in his description of the woman who sweeps the house to search for her ten silver coins (Lk 15:8-note). There are no uses in the Septuagint. In classic Greek writings saroo has a metaphoric meaning of “exhausted.” (Liddell-Scott). Put in order (2885) (kosmeo from kosmos = adorning or order, ornament, decoration, adornment -- this root word gives us our English cosmetic something women use to "adorn" their face and make themselves more physically attractive) speaks of that which is to put in order. To make congruous, fitting or orderly. To decorate. To embellish (to make beautiful with ornamentation; to heighten the attractiveness of by adding decorative details) Kosmeo conveys the idea of arranging something in proper order so as to give it symmetry, comeliness, and beauty. Kosmeo depicts one who looks good on the outside but is filled with rottenness on the inside! What this man needed was not reformation (put in order) but regeneration (a brand new "house" so to speak). QUESTION - Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized? see video ANSWER - While the Bible does not explicitly state whether a Christian can be possessed by a demon, related biblical truths make it abundantly clear that Christians cannot be demon possessed. There is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and being oppressed or influenced by a demon. Demon possession involves a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33). Demon oppression or influence involves a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior. Notice that in all the New Testament passages dealing with spiritual warfare, there are no instructions to cast a demon out of a believer (Ephesians 6:10-18). Believers are told to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9), not to cast him out. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Surely the Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. It is unthinkable that God would allow one of His children, whom He purchased with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) and made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), to be possessed and controlled by a demon. Yes, as believers, we wage war with Satan and his demons, but not from within ourselves. The apostle John declares, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Who is the One in us? The Holy Spirit. Who is the one in the world? Satan and his demons. Therefore, the believer has overcome the world of demons, and the case for demon possession of a believer cannot be made scripturally. With the strong biblical evidence that a Christian cannot be demon possessed in view, some Bible teachers use the term “demonization” to refer to a demon having control over a Christian. Some argue that while a Christian cannot be demon possessed, a Christian can be demonized. Typically, the description of demonization is virtually identical to the description of demon possession. So, the same issue results. Changing the terminology does not change the fact that a demon cannot inhabit or take full control of a Christian. Demonic influence and oppression are realities for Christians, no doubt, but it is simply not biblical to say that a Christian can be possessed by a demon or demonized. Much of the reasoning behind the demonization concept is the personal experience of seeing someone who was “definitely” a Christian exhibiting evidence of being controlled by a demon. It is crucially important, though, that we do not allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seeing someone whom we thought to be a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should cause us to question the genuineness of his/her faith. (Ed: That is he/she might be a professor but not a possessor of genuine salvation in Christ). It should not cause us alter our viewpoint on whether a Christian can be demon possessed / demonized. Perhaps the person truly is a Christian but is severely demon oppressed and/or suffering from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must meet the test of Scripture, not the other way around. GotQuestions.org Related Resource: What does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession? | GotQuestions.org Matthew 12:45 “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” NET Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there, so the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this evil generation as well!" GNT τότε πορεύεται καὶ παραλαμβάνει μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ καὶ εἰσελθόντα κατοικεῖ ἐκεῖ· καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου χείρονα τῶν πρώτων. οὕτως ἔσται καὶ τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ. NLT Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation." KJV Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. ESV Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation." NIV Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." ASV Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. CSB Then off it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man's last condition is worse than the first. That's how it will also be with this evil generation." NRS Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation." YLT then doth it go, and take with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man doth become worse than the first; so shall it be also to this evil generation.' NAB Then it goes and brings back with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they move in and dwell there; and the last condition of that person is worse than the first. Thus it will be with this evil generation." NJB it then goes off and collects seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, and so that person ends up worse off than before. That is what will happen to this wicked generation.' GWN Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before. That is what will happen to the evil people of this day." BBE Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits worse than himself, and they go in and make it their living-place: and the last condition of that man is worse than the first. Even so will it be with this evil generation. seven other spirits: Mt 12:24 Mk 5:9 16:9 Eph 6:12 more wicked: Mt 23:15 and the last state: Lu 11:26 Heb 6:4-8 10:26-31,39 2Pe 2:14-22 1Jn 5:16,17 Jude 1:10-13 Even (KJV): And so it was; for they became worse and worse, as if totally abandoned to diabolical influence, till the besom of destruction swept them away. Mt 21:38-44 23:32-39,24,34 Lu 11:49-51 19:41-44 Joh 15:22-24 Ro 11:8-10 1Th 2:15,16 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Luke 11:26 see commentary - Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.” THE DANGER OF REFORMATION WITHOUT TRANSFORMATION Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there - Now the man is possessed by even more demons, more evil than the one originally exorcised. In other words, to fail to respond is to risk a worse fate than when one started. It is not enough to turn over a new leaf! We need to be a new creation! (2 Cor 5:17+) And the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Worse because of more demons of an even more evil character. Notice Jesus is teaching that while all demons are evil, some are characterized by an even greater degree of evil! They are a solemn warning to us, never to be satisfied with religious reformation without heart conversion. -- J C Ryle
Mateus 12
Ryle has a pithy (and I think accurate) comment - Let us observe, finally, in these verses, how dangerous it is to be content with any change in religion short of thorough conversion to God. This is a truth which our Lord teaches by an awful picture of one from whom a devil has been cast forth, but into whose heart the Holy Spirit has not entered. He describes the evil spirit, after his expulsion, as seeking rest and finding none.—He describes him planning a return to the heart which he once inhabited, and carrying his plan into execution.—He describes him finding that heart empty of any good, and like a house “swept and garnished” for his reception.—He describes him as entering in once more, with seven spirits worse than himself, and once more making it his abode. And He winds up all by the solemn saying, “the last state of that man is worse than the first.” We must feel in reading these fearful words, that Jesus is speaking of things which we faintly comprehend. He is lifting a corner of the veil which hangs over the unseen world. His words, no doubt, illustrate the state of things which existed in the Jewish nation during the time of His own ministry. But the main lesson of his words, which concerns us, is the danger of our own individual souls. They are a solemn warning to us, never to be satisfied with religious reformation without heart conversion. The devil must not only be cast out. The Holy Ghost must take his place. There is no safety excepting in thorough Christianity. To lay aside open sin is nothing, unless grace reigns in our hearts. To cease to do evil is a small matter, if we do not also learn to do well.—The house must not only be swept and whitewashed. A new tenant must be introduced, or else the leprosy may yet appear again in the walls.—The outward life must not only be garnished with the formal trappings of religion. The power of vital religion must be experienced in the inward man.—The devil must not only be cast out. The Holy Ghost must take his place. Christ must dwell in our hearts by faith. We must not only be moralized, but spiritualized. We must not only be reformed, but born again. Let us lay these things to heart. Many professing Christians, it may be feared, are deceiving themselves. They are not what they once were, and so they flatter themselves, they are what they ought to be. They are no longer sabbath-breaking, daring sinners, and so they dream that they are Christians. They see not that they have only changed one kind of devil for another. They are governed by a decent, Pharisaic devil, instead of an audacious, riotous, unclean devil.—But the tenant within is the devil still. And their last end will be worse than their first. From such an end may we pray to be delivered! Whatever we are in religion, let us be thorough. Let us not be houses swept and garnished, but uninhabited by the Spirit. Let us not be potsherds covered with silver, fair without, but worthless within. Let our daily prayer be, “Search me, O God;—and see whether there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:24.) Matthew 12:46 While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. NET Matthew 12:46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside, asking to speak to him. GNT Matthew 12:46 Ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος τοῖς ὄχλοις ἰδοὺ ἡ μήτηρ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ εἱστήκεισαν ἔξω ζητοῦντες αὐτῷ λαλῆσαι. NLT Matthew 12:46 As Jesus was speaking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. KJV Matthew 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. ESV Matthew 12:46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. NIV Matthew 12:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ASV Matthew 12:46 While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him. CSB Matthew 12:46 He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly His mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak to Him. NKJ Matthew 12:46 While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. NRS Matthew 12:46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. YLT Matthew 12:46 And while he was yet speaking to the multitudes, lo, his mother and brethren had stood without, seeking to speak to him, NAB Matthew 12:46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers appeared outside, wishing to speak with him. NJB Matthew 12:46 He was still speaking to the crowds when suddenly his mother and his brothers were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. GWN Matthew 12:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside. They wanted to talk to him. BBE Matthew 12:46 While he was still talking to the people, his mother and his brothers came, desiring to have talk with him. While He was still speaking Mk 2:21 Mk 3:20, 21, 31-35 Lu 8:10,19-21 His mother and brothers were standing outside Mt 13:55 Mk 6:3 Joh 2:12 7:3,5,10 Ac 1:14 1Co 9:5 Ga 1:19 Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JESUS INTERRUPTED BY HIS FAMILY While He was still speaking to the crowds behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside - Jesus is in the house which was so crowded that they could not enter (cf Mk 3:20+). Note the somewhat ironic picture of family outside, crowd inside the house. His family does display some degree of presumptuous audacity in interrupting His speaking (undoubtedly teaching them truths they needed to here). It's like someone interrupting the pastor in the middle of his sermon! But you have to love Jesus deftness to take an interruption and turn it into an opportunity to introduce truth about a new family relationship which had eternal repercussions! Jesus never wasted a moment! D A Carson on brothers - The most natural way to understand “brothers” (v. 46) is that the term refers to sons of Mary and Joseph and thus to brothers of Jesus on his mother’s side. To support the dogma of Mary’s perpetual virginity, a notion foreign to the NT and to the earliest church fathers, Roman Catholic scholars have suggested that “brothers” refers either to Joseph’s sons by an earlier marriage or to sons of Mary’s sister, who had the same name (cf. Lagrange; McHugh, pp. 200ff.). Certainly “brothers” can have a wider meaning than male relatives (Acts 22:1). Yet it is very doubtful whether such a meaning is valid here for it raises insuperable problems. For instance, if “brothers” refers to Joseph’s sons by an earlier marriage, not Jesus but Joseph’s firstborn would have been legal heir to David’s throne. The second theory—that “brothers” refers to sons of a sister of Mary also named “Mary”—faces the unlikelihood of two sisters having the same name. All things considered, the attempts to extend the meaning of “brothers” in this pericope, despite McHugh’s best efforts, are nothing less than farfetched exegesis in support of a dogma that originated much later than the NT (see on 1:25; Luke 2:7; cf. Broadus on 13:55–56). Seeking to speak to Him - They did not come to hear Him but to speak to Him. Why were they seeking to speak to Him? Mark's versions tells us why His relatives had come writing "When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” (Mk 3:21+) They thought Jesus had lost His mind. After all He was saying things that clearly implied He was claiming to be God. Keep in mind while His mother Mary clearly knew He was God, His brothers did not and had never seen Him (as far as we know from Scripture) perform any miraculous signs or wonders in his 30 years in Nazareth. John 7:5 records that even later "not even His brothers were believing in Him." Their belief would occur later for we see them among the group in the upper room in Jerusalem after Jesus' ascension Luke recording that they were "all with one mind (great word in Acts = homothumadon) were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers." (Acts 1:14+) But NOW they are worried that He had "gone off His rocker"! So His family had made the trip of about 30 miles from Nazareth to Capernaum and Mark records "Then His mother and His brothers arrived, and standing outside they sent word to Him and called Him." (Mk 3:31+) They had come to take hold (krateo) of Him. In sum, His family did not want to simply speak to Him but to hustle Him back home. It is interesting that Mary was involved for she knew He was God, Messiah on mission and the lost Jewish crowds were an integral part of His mission. Perhaps her other sons coerced her. We can ask her about this in Heaven (won't Heaven be an interesting place!) Seeking to (present tense)(2212)(zeteo) implies giving attention and priority to and deliberately pursuing after. Related Resource: Did Jesus have brothers and sisters (siblings)? Matthew 12:47 Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” NET Matthew 12:47 Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you." GNT Matthew 12:47 [εἶπεν δέ τις αὐτῷ, Ἰδοὺ ἡ μήτηρ σου καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοί σου ἔξω ἑστήκασιν ζητοῦντές σοι λαλῆσαι.] NLT Matthew 12:47 Someone told Jesus, "Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you." KJV Matthew 12:47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. ESV Matthew 12:46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. NIV Matthew 12:47 Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." ASV Matthew 12:47 And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee. CSB Matthew 12:47 Someone told Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You." NKJ Matthew 12:47 Then one said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You." NRS Matthew 12:47 Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." YLT Matthew 12:47 and one said to him, 'Lo, thy mother and thy brethren do stand without, seeking to speak to thee.' NAB Matthew 12:47 (Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.") NJB Matthew 12:47 still speaking to the crowds when suddenly his mother and his brothers were standing outside and were anxious to have a word with him. GWN Matthew 12:47 Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside. They want to talk to you." BBE Matthew 12:47 And one said to him, See, your mother and your brothers are outside, desiring to have talk with you. Matthew 12 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Parallel Passage: Mark 3:32+ A crowd was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” Someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You.” - Mark's version is more general saying it was the crowd who said to Him, but Matthew identifies a specific unnamed individual who spoke to Him. Leon