The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:36-37
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Matthew 12:33-37
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 12:37
For by ( ἐκ )—referring to, as it were, the source of the verdict— thy words ( τῶν λόγοι σου ); thy , individualizing. Ob-nerve the change from ῥῆμα ( Matthew 12:36 ), which might in itself refer to the utterance of a madman, or to a parrot-like quotation. But by here using λόγοι our Lord shows that he is thinking of utterances of the reason. sentences spoken with a knowledge of their meaning, and forming parts of what are virtually, though not literally,... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:33
Either make ... - The fact asserted in this verse is, that a tree is known, not by its leaves, or bark, or form, but by its fruit. The application to the argument is this: “You are to judge of man’s being in league with Satan by his works. If my doctrines and works be properly the works of Satan, then I am corrupt; if not, then your charge is blasphemy. So, on the other hand, if, notwithstanding your professions, your works are the works of the devil, and your doctrines are such as he would... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:34-35
O generation of vipers! - Christ here applies the argument which he had suggested in the previous verse. They were a wicked race; like poisonous reptiles, with a corrupt and evil nature. They could not be expected to speak good things - that is, to speak favorably of him and his works. As the bad fruit of a tree was the proper effect of its “nature,” so were their words about him and his works the proper effect of their nature. The “abundance” or fullness of the “heart” produced the words of... 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
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:37
By thy words thou shalt be justified ... - That is, “words” are the indication of the true principles of the heart; by “words” the heart shall be known, as the tree is by its fruit. If they are true, proper, chaste, instructive, pious, they will prove that the heart is right. If false, envious, malignant, and impious, they will prove that the heart is wrong, and will therefore be among the causes of condemnation. It is not meant that words will be the only thing that will condemn man, but that... read more
Joseph Benson
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 12:33-35
Matthew 12:33-35 . Either make the tree good, and his fruit good, &c. That is, you must allow they are both good, or both bad: for if the fruit be good, so is the tree; if the fruit be evil, so is the tree also. “Judge, therefore, by my works, of the power by which I work: if it be not a good work to heal the sick, and blind, and lame, and cast out devils, and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins, to convert and save souls, then God is not the author of them. If they be bad works,... 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
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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