Who we really are comes out in what we say.
Matthew here continues to show how Jesus handled the opposition of the Pharisees. He taught of the Two Opposing Kingdoms, that of Satan v.26 and that of God v.28
This is quite a lengthy section in contrast to the concise manner Matthew usually handles these subjects. He evidently regards this passage as very important and He treats it more fully than is his custom. (notes from L. Morris p. 313)
 |
| Pharisees opposing Jesus |
Mat 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.
Then the kingdom of God - For the destruction of the kingdom of Satan plainly implies the setting up of the Kingdom of God.
Is come unto you - Is come unexpectedly upon you. Εφθασεν, from φθανω, to appear suddenly - unexpectedly.
They pretended to be in expectation of the kingdom of God, and consequently of the destruction of the kingdom of Satan. But, by being not prepared to receive Christ in these proofs of his Divine mission, they showed that their expectation was but pretended. They were too carnal to mind spiritual things.
Mat 12:29 Again, how can anyone enter the house of a strong man and carry off his goods, unless first of all he masters and secures the strong man: then he will ransack his house.
Notes
Adam Clark says ‘Else how can one enter into a strong man’s house’’ - Men, through sin, are become the very house and dwelling place of Satan, having of their own accord surrendered themselves to this unjust possessor; for whoever gives up his soul to sin gives it up to the devil. It is Jesus, and Jesus alone, who can deliver from the power of this bondage. When Satan is cast out, Jesus purifies and dwells in the heart.
Else [Or, or again] shows a different way at looking at this question. Jesus asks how anyone can take possession of the strong man goods unless he first binds him. The strong man here seems definitely to be Satan. Binding the strong man means overcoming Him and tying him up and arresting him. When he is bound he is completely defeated and has no more ability to control. Then his house can be entered by the conqueror. He will ransack his house. The Tyrant is now completely defeated. See Col_2:8, Col_2:15; Exo_3:22.
Mat 12:30 "The man who is not with me is against me, and he who is not gathering with me is scattering abroad.
Notes
The two kingdoms of Satan and of Christ are opposed. No neutrality is possible. He that is not for me is against me. PNT
In addition to his other arguments, Jesus urges this general principle, that there can be but two parties in the universe.
If anyone did not act with him, he was against him. If he gathered not with him, he scattered. This is taken from the practice of persons in harvest. He that did not gather with him, or “aid” him, scattered abroad, or opposed him. The application of this was, “As I have not united with Satan, but opposed him, there can be no league between us.” The charge, therefore, is a false one. Barnes
Mat 12:31 This is why I tell you that men may find forgiveness for every other sin and impious word, but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness.
Notes The Unpardonable Sin
- but that for impious speaking against the Holy Spirit they shall find no forgiveness.WNT
- but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven to men. MKJV
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.
L. Morris thinks that this is ‘the set of the life’. This not just some isolated words spoken but when a person takes up a position like that of the Pharisees who purposely attributed the Miraculous works of the Holy Spirit to Baazebub, the Prince of Darkness, then that person is in a state which prevents any forgiveness. They call good evil and evil good.
They are unable to repent and come to God for Forgiveness.
They refuse to acknowledge that this miracle was the work of the Spirit of God.
Mat 12:32 And whoever shall speak against the Son of Man may obtain forgiveness; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, neither in this nor in the coming age shall he obtain forgiveness."
Notes
This verse is linked to the previous one by and.
He refers to those who speak against the Son of Man. Jesus Himself in Messianic Function.cp. Matt 8:20 and Acts 3: 17. People who speak in this way can find repentance and forgiveness but Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is completely another matter. To deny that God was at work in the deliverance of the blind and dumb Demoniac was inexcusable.
They had objected over the Sabbath issue, the healing on the Sabbath Day. But attributing this wonderful Work of the Spirit of God to Satan, when the Kingdom of God had come to them showed that they completely perverted the truth of God and His work in the earth.
L. Morris, ‘People who take up such a Position make themselves UNFORGIVEABLE.’
Mat 12:33 "Either grant the tree to be wholesome and its fruit wholesome, or the tree poisonous and its fruit poisonous; for the tree is known by its fruit. WNT
Mat 12:33 Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. MKJV
Notes
There are only two possibilities for trees. They are mutually exclusive.
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 teach, it would prove respecting you that which you charge on me.” In this indirect but powerful manner he advances to the charge against them, which he urges in the following verses.
Mat 12:34 O vipers' brood, how can you speak what is good when you are evil? For it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks. WNT
Mat 12:34 Offspring of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. MKJV
Notes
John the Baptist called them offspring of snakes. Matt 3:7
Jesus shows us the venomous nature of the Pharisaic opposition with which Jesus was confronted.
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. MKJV
What you say comes from the source your heart., the center of the whole of your inner life. It is what your heart is full of that determines what you say.
Mat 12:35 A good man from his good store produces good things, and a bad man from his bad store produces bad things.
Notes
What a contrast in this verse between GOOD used three times and BAD used three times
A GOOD man is a man of excellence. He has goodness in the very centre of his being. He knows what is important and valuable and cares for it
So with EVIL men, their lives produce what accords with their essential being: EVIL.
Our deeds correspond with WHO WE ARE IN REALITY.
Mat 12:36 But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement.
Notes
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.
Mat 12:37 For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned."
Notes
Here is the Reason for this Judgement. For
justified means “ Declared Righteous. “
This is the verdict when you are brought before the Judgement of the Heavenly Court.
Our Salvation has legal implications
Here Jesus is saying that at the Judgement what we are is what matters, and that our words especially those to which we give no particular thought, reveal, what we are. L. Morris p.323
****************************************
No comments:
Post a Comment