The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:33-37
You wonder that I make so much of words; words are not trivialities, but are really the legitimate and normal fruit of the heart, and therefore by them each man will be judged. read more
Matthew 12:36 Nlt
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:33-37
The heart in the tongue. The subject of the Pharisees' blasphemy is continued in these verses. From them we learn— I. THAT THE LICENCE OF THE TONGUE IS A PREGNANT EVIL . 1 . It is fruitful in robbery. 2 . It is prolific in murder. 3 . It is emphatically diabolical. II. THAT THE CONQUEST OF THE TONGUE IS A WORTHY AMBITION . 1 . Words are the vehicles of thought. 2 . By words thought stirs worlds. 3 . What an engine... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:36
But ( δέ ); and (Revised Version). The adversative particle hints at the contrast of Matthew 12:35 to their ordinary ideas about the importance of words. I say unto you, That every idle ( ἀργόν ); i.e. effecting nothing, morally useless; 2 Peter 1:8 (cf. καταργεῖ , Luke 13:7 ). Word ( ῥῆμα ); see verse 37, note. That men shall speak, they shall give account thereof ( ἀποδώσουσι λόγον : cf. 1 Peter 4:5 ) in the day of judgment ( Matthew 10:15 ,... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:36
But I say unto you ... - Christ closes this address to his malignant and wicked hearers by a solemn declaration that for these things God would bring them into judgment. Therefore. They who had spoken so malignantly against him, could not escape.Idle word - This literally means a vain, thoughtless, useless word; a word that accomplishes no good. Here it means, evidently, “wicked, injurious, false, malicious, for such” were the words which they had spoken. read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:36-37
Matthew 12:36-37. But I say unto you You may perhaps think God does not much regard your words, but I assure you, that not only for blasphemous and profane, malicious, false, slanderous, and reviling words, but for every idle word which men shall speak: for all light, vain, trifling expressions; for all useless, unprofitable conversation, and all discourse uttered without seriousness and caution, and which does not conduce to the glory of God and the good of mankind; that men shall speak... read more
Donald C. Fleming
Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 12:22-45
52. Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:22-45; Mark 3:22-30; Luke 11:14-36)On one occasion when Jesus cast out demons, the Pharisees accused him of doing it by the power of Satan, the prince of demons (Matthew 12:22-24; Luke 11:14-16). Jesus replied that if the prince of demons used his own power to cast out demons, he would be creating civil war in his own kingdom. He would be destroying himself. The only way a strong man can be defeated is if a stronger man overpowers him. In casting out... read more
E.W. Bullinger
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:36
idle = careless or useless. Compare Matthew 20:3 . 1 Timothy 5:13 .Titus 1:12 . word = saying. Not the same as in Matthew 12:37 . that = which. give account thereof = suffer its consequences. A Hebraism. thereof = concerning ( App-104 .) it. read more
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:36
And I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment.This is a strong admonition to guard what is spoken. "Idle" words are not necessarily those casual and insignificant sayings indulged in the course of social fellowship, nor such words as may be calculated to bring a smile to care-worn faces, but rather, they are the words that betray a bias of the soul against God and expose the evil heart of the sinner.Again, Christ referred... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:25-37
Our Lord shows the monstrous character of their accusation, and urges the need of a complete change at heart. read more