Matthew 12:22-37

Matthew 12:22-37

[22] Then  was brought  unto him  one possessed with a devil,  blind,  and  dumb:  and  he healed  him,  insomuch that  the blind  and  dumb  both  spake  and  saw.  [23] And  all  the people  were amazed,  and  not  this  the son  of David?  [24] But  when the Pharisees  heard  it, they said,  This  not  cast out  devils,  by  Beelzebub  the prince  of the devils.  [25] And  knew  their  thoughts,  and said  unto them,  Every  kingdom  divided  against  itself  is brought to desolation;  and  every  city  or  house  divided  against  itself  not  stand:  [26] And  if  Satan  cast out  Satan,  he is divided  against  himself;  how  then  his  kingdom  stand?  [27] And  if  by  Beelzebub  cast out  devils,  by  whom  children  cast them out?  they  judges.  [28] But  if  cast out  devils  by  the Spirit  of God,  then  the kingdom  of God  is come  unto  [29] Or  else how  can  one  enter  into  a strong man's  house,  and  spoil  his  goods,  he first  bind  the strong man?  and  then  he will spoil  his  house.  [30] not  with  against  and  he that gathereth  not  with  scattereth abroad.  [31] Wherefore  I say  All manner of  sin  and  blasphemy  shall be forgiven  unto men:  but  the blasphemy  against the Holy Ghost  not  be forgiven  unto men.  [32] And  whosoever  speaketh  a word  against  the Son  of man,  it shall be forgiven  him:  but  whosoever  speaketh  against  the Holy  Ghost,  not  be forgiven  him,  neither  in  world,  neither  in  the world to come.  [33] Either  make  the tree  good,  and  his  fruit  good;  or else  make  the tree  corrupt,  and  his  fruit  corrupt:  for  the tree  is known  by  his fruit.  [34] O generation  of vipers,  how  can ye,  evil,  speak  good things?  for  out of  the abundance  of the heart  the mouth  speaketh.  [35] A good  man  out of  the good  treasure  bringeth forth  good things:  and  an evil  man  out of  the evil  treasure  bringeth forth  evil things.  [36] But  I say  That  every  idle  word  that  men  shall speak,  they shall give  account  thereof  in  the day  of judgment.  [37] For  by  words  thou shalt be justified,  and  by  words  thou shalt be condemned. 

What does Matthew 12:22-37 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Pharisees moved beyond debate to personal abuse and character assassination in this pericope.