Matthew 12:31

Matthew 12:31, in plain English

Jesus gives a serious warning: every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven -- except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. That is the one line that cannot be uncrossed.

Why it's here

This is directly aimed at the Pharisees who just called the Holy Spirit's work demonic. Deliberately calling God's good work evil puts you beyond the reach of forgiveness.

Who's speaking

Jesus warns the Pharisees.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus says something deeply sobering: God's mercy covers an astonishing range of sins, but willfully calling the Spirit's work satanic is the one thing that shuts the door from the inside.

The scholarly reading

Jesus introduces the solemn warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (he tou pneumatos blasphemia), declaring it the one sin that will not be forgiven (ouk aphethesetai), distinct from all other sins and blasphemies.

Language and setting

This teaching responds directly to the Pharisees' attribution of the Spirit's work to Satan. 'Blasphemy against the Spirit' involves the deliberate, knowing rejection of the Holy Spirit's testimony about Jesus.

Voice

Jesus issues a grave warning to the Pharisees.

Significance

Jesus delivers one of the most sobering warnings in all of Scripture: while every other sin can be forgiven, deliberately attributing the Holy Spirit's work to Satan crosses an unforgivable line.

29Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

30He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

31Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

32Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come.

33Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.

Read all of Matthew 12 — Grain fields on a Saturday spark a furious confrontation. Jesus claims an authority that makes the Pharisees begin plotting his death.