Bible Commentary

Matthew 12:31

The Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:31

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Wherefore ( διὰ τοῦτο). Referring primarily to , and to be joined closely to "I say unto you." Because such is the terrible effect of what you think mere indifferentism, I say this solemnly, Beware of committing the great sin.

Luke's connexion of our verse 43 with verse 30 gives a good but a weaker sense—Become fully decided, lest the devil return to you stronger than ever. Matthew's connexion is—Become fully decided, for the legitimate outcome of want of decision is the sin that will not be forgiven.

I say unto you (, note), All manner of; every (Revised Version); πᾶσα. Sin and blasphemy. Genus and species (Meyer). Blasphemy passes in this verse from its wider meaning of open slander and detraction in the first clause to its now commoner but restricted meaning of speech against God in the second clause.

Shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost; the Spirit (Revised Version), thus making it more possible for the English reader to see the connexion of thought with the phrase in verse 28.

Shall not be forgiven unto men. The words, unto men, must be omitted, with the Revised Version. They weaken a statement which in itself may apply to other beings than those that are on earth.

Recommended reading

More for Matthew 12:31

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:1-50The opposition that our Lord met withJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:1-45(1) Opposition from his enemies. (a) Conscious and wilful opposition (Matthew 12:1-37). ( α) As regards the sabbath (Matthew 12:1-14). ( β) An interlude. The evangelist sees in our Lord's behaviour the fulfilment of Isa…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:1-50EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Sin against the Holy GhostTHE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. In these verses we have, I. Christ's glorious conquest of Satan, in the gracious cure of one who, by the divine permission, was under his power, and in his possession, Matthew 12:22. Here…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:22-37The bathos of detracting blasphemy. In introduction, note the unity of this passage of sixteen verses. While the linking of one portion of the accounts contained in the Gospels to another is very often exceedingly evide…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:22-32The healing of a man blind and dumb, and the consequent blasphemy of the Pharisees. The miracle leads them to the extreme of spiritual opposition. (On the assimilation to our Matthew 12:22-24, found in Matthew 9:32-34,…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:22-32The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Many persons have been tempted to believe that they had committed this dreadful sin, and thereby put themselves beyond the reach of mercy. Correct judgment upon this very important…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Matthew 12:22-37The blasphemy of the Pharisees. I. ITS CAUSE. 1. The demoniac. The poor man was blind and dumb, and that not from natural causes, but by the cruel agency of an evil spirit. Like the dumb man (Matthew 9:32), he was broug…Joseph S. Exell and contributors