E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 12:37
words. Greek plural of logos. Not the same as in Matthew 12:36 . See note on Mark 9:32 . "Words" are reckoned as "deeds" (2 Corinthians 5:10 ). See App-121 . read more
Matthew 12:35-37
E.W. Bullinger
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:35
The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.This is an elaboration of what Christ had already said. Such full attention to the Pharisees' slanders endows the entire event with tremendous significance; and, when it is recalled that their sin consisted principally of "speaking against" Christ, the implication is mandatory that an evil mouth can damn the soul forever. Evil and unbelieving words are not... 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
James Burton Coffman
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.Speech is one of the greatest endowments of humanity; and the greater the gift, the greater the sin of perverting it to unworthy purposes. It would be impossible to sum up all the sins of mankind in the area of sinful speech. It must appear even to casual thought of it that words, as used by millions, constitute the bulk of human shame and wickedness. James said, "If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a... read more
Thomas Coke
Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 12:34-37
Matthew 12:34-37. O generation of vipers, &c.— Without attending to the context, and our Saviour's general argument, which he is here closely pursuing, interpreters have been strangely perplexed with the phrase every idle word, in Matthew 12:36., which many of them have considered as a distinct and separate injunction; whereas it is closely connected with that calumnious and blasphemous way of speaking, proceeding out of an evil heart, which our Saviour is so sharply condemning in the... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:35
35. A good man, out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth forth good things—or, "putteth forth good things": and an evil man, out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things—or "putteth forth evil things." The word "putteth" indicates the spontaneity of what comes from the heart; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh. We have here a new application of a former saying (see on :-). Here, the sentiment is, "There are but two kingdoms, interests,... read more
Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Matthew 12:36
36. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment—They might say, "It was nothing: we meant no evil; we merely threw out a supposition, as one way of accounting for the miracle we witnessed; if it will not stand, let it go; why make so much of it, and bear down with such severity for it?" Jesus replies, "It was not nothing, and at the great day will not be treated as nothing: Words, as the index of the heart, however idle... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:1-50
B. Specific instances of Israel’s rejection of Jesus ch. 12Matthew has shown that opposition to Jesus came from two main sources: the animosity of the religious leaders, and the indifference of the common Israelites. In this chapter he presented five instances in which opposition manifested itself and increased. In each situation the approach to Jesus was negative, but Jesus responded positively. [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., p. 158.] "Central to the plot of Matthew’s story is the element... read more
Thomas Constable
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 12:22-37
2. Conflict over Jesus’ power 12:22-37 (cf. Mark 3:19-30; Luke 11:14-26)The Pharisees moved beyond debate to personal abuse and character assassination in this pericope. read more
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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