Matthew 12:22-50 study

Verses 22-28

22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Him; and He healed him, so that the mute man began to speak and see. 23 And all the crowds were astounded and began saying, “This man couldn’t be the Son of David, could He?”[1] 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.” 25 But He knew their thoughts, so He said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself suffers destruction, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I by Beelzebul am casting out the demons, by whom are your sons casting out? For this reason, they themselves will be your judges. 28 But if by the Spirit of God I am casting out the demons, then the kingdom of God has already come upon you.

[1] The structure of this Greek phrase implies a negative answer.

Verses 29-37

29 Or how is someone able to enter into the house of the strong man and snatch away his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will thoroughly plunder his house. 30 The one who is not with Me is against Me, and the one who is not gathering with Me is scattering. 31 For this reason I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven to men, but blasphemy of the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever says a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever says a word against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the one to come. 33 Either make the tree good and its fruit will be good, or make the tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for by its fruit the tree is known. 34 You offspring of snakes,[2] how are you able to say anything good since you are wicked? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man from the good treasure box brings forth good things, and the wicked man from the wicked treasure box brings forth wicked things. 36 And I say to you that every careless word which men speak, they will give a word[3] about it on the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

[2] See Matthew 3:7; Genesis 3:15

[3] Or, an account. Both λόγον and ῥῆμα in this verse are typically rendered as “word.”

Verses 38-45

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from You.” 39 But He answered and said to them, “A wicked and adulterous generation is searching for a sign, but a sign will not be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 40 For just as Jonah was in the belly of the big fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. 41 The Ninevite men will stand up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. 42The queen of the south will be raised up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the end of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. 43 Now whenever the unclean spirit goes out from the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but it does not find it. 44 Then it says, “To my house I will return, from which I came out.” And when it comes, it finds the house unoccupied, swept, and decorated.[4] 45 Then it goes and brings along with itself seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they enter and dwell there. So the final state of that man becomes worse than his earlier state. Thus it will be also for this wicked generation.”

[4] Or well organized. The Greek verb here (κοσμέω) is where we get the English “cosmetics” from, also related to the word cosmos. It can refer either to the attractive nature of the order/organization of something or to the beautiful appearance of someone or something.

Verses 46-50

46 And while He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and His brothers were standing outside seeking to speak to Him. 47 And someone said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.” 48 But He answered and said to the man who said this to Him, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers? 49 Then He extended His hand toward His disciples and said, “Behold, these are My mother and My brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother.”