Accusation, Blasphemy Against the Spirit, and the Heart's Fruit
Matthew 12:22-37
Matt.12.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Τοτε: ADV
- προσηνεχθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δαιμονιζομενος: PART,pres,mp,nom,sg,m
- τυφλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- κωφος·και: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εθεραπευσεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ωστε: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- κωφον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- λαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- βλεπειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Matt.9:32-33 (verbal): A very similar Matthean episode: a demon-possessed man who could not speak is healed and then speaks; the crowd’s amazement mirrors Matt.12.22–23.
- Luke 11:14 (structural): Lukan parallel of an exorcism where a mute man is freed from a demon and then speaks; parallels the narrative pattern and the controversy that follows.
- Mark 7:32-35 (thematic): Healing of a man who was deaf and had an impediment in speech; thematically parallels Jesus’ power to restore hearing, speech, and sight in Matt.12.22.
- Isaiah 35:5-6 (allusion): Messianic prophecy that 'the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped'—a background for Gospel reports of such healings as signs of the kingdom.
- Matt.11:4-5 (quotation): Jesus cites reports of his works—'the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear'—using miracles like Matt.12.22 as Messianic proof.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then they brought to him a man possessed by a demon who was blind and mute, and he healed him so that the mute man spoke and saw.
- Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him so that the mute spoke and the blind saw.
Matt.12.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξισταντο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- οχλοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ελεγον·Μητι: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- ουτος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,voc,sg,m
- Δαυιδ: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 11:14-15 (structural): Parallel exorcism pericope: a mute/demon-possessed man is healed and the people are amazed, mirroring Matthew's sequence of healing followed by public astonishment.
- Mark 10:47-48 (verbal): Blind Bartimaeus cries out 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me' — an explicit use of the messianic title found in Matthew's crowds' question about the 'Son of David.'
- Matt.20:30-34 (verbal): Two blind men call Jesus 'Son of David' and receive healing; a close Matthean parallel showing the same messianic appellation applied by petitioners and crowds.
- Matt.21:9 (verbal): Triumphal-entry acclamation 'Hosanna to the Son of David' — a public, messianic identification of Jesus that echoes the crowd's speculation in 12:23.
- John 7:41-42 (thematic): Debate over Jesus' identity and the expectation that the Messiah be 'of David's seed' and from Bethlehem — thematically connects to the crowd's question 'Is this the Son of David?' in Matthew 12:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the crowd were amazed and said, "Can this be the Son of David?"
- All the crowds were astonished and said, 'Could this be the Son of David?'
Matt.12.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- Φαρισαιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ακουσαντες: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,nom,pl,m
- ειπον·Ουτος: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εκβαλλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,neut
- δαιμονια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Βεελζεβουλ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αρχοντι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,f
- δαιμονιων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Mark 3:22 (verbal): Parallel Gospel account: scribes/Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebul — nearly identical charge and wording.
- Luke 11:15 (verbal): Luke's parallel: some say Jesus casts out demons by Beelzebul; same accusation connecting Jesus' exorcisms to the prince of demons.
- Matthew 9:34 (verbal): Earlier Matthean instance where the Pharisees claim Jesus drives out demons by the prince of demons — same charge repeated in Matthew's narrative.
- Matthew 12:27-28 (structural): Immediate literary context: Jesus' rebuttal (How can Satan cast out Satan?) and claim that he casts out demons by the Spirit of God — direct theological response to the Beelzebul accusation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."
- But when the Pharisees heard it they said, 'This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.'
Matt.12.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ειδως: PART,perf,act,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- τας: ART,acc,pl,f
- ενθυμησεις: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,c
- ειπεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Πασα: PRON,dat,pl,3
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- μερισθεισα: PTCP,aor,pass,nom,sg,f
- καθ᾽εαυτης: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,f
- ερημουται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- πολις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- οικια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- μερισθεισα: PTCP,aor,pass,nom,sg,f
- καθ᾽εαυτης: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- σταθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Mark 3:24-25 (verbal): Direct Synoptic parallel: same proverb about a kingdom/city/house divided against itself, used in the same context to counter the charge that Jesus cast out demons by demonic power.
- Luke 11:17-18 (verbal): Parallel saying in Luke with similar wording and function—argues that division (a kingdom/house against itself) leads to ruin, undermining the accusation against Jesus.
- Matthew 12:26 (structural): Immediate Matthean continuation: applies the principle directly to the charge about Satan—if Satan were divided against himself he could not stand, reinforcing the argument of 12:25.
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 (thematic): Paul’s appeal for unity ('that there be no divisions among you') echoes the concern that divisions fracture the body/kingdom, thematically linking internal division with disorder and failure.
- James 3:16 (thematic): James links envy and strife to disorder and every evil practice—thematising the destructive consequences of division similar to the proverb’s claim that a divided house cannot stand.
Alternative generated candidates
- Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
- Knowing their thoughts he said to them, 'Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.
Matt.12.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Σατανας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Σαταναν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκβαλλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- εφ᾽εαυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,m
- εμερισθη·πως: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg+ADV
- ουν: PART
- σταθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 3:24-26 (verbal): Direct parallel wording: the argument that a kingdom/house divided against itself cannot stand, used to rebut the charge that Jesus casts out demons by Satan.
- Luke 11:17-18 (verbal): Close verbal parallel in Luke—same refutation that Satan would not cast out his own agents because a divided kingdom cannot endure.
- Matthew 12:25 (structural): Immediate context in Matthew: the preceding statement about a divided house provides the logical premise for the question about Satan's kingdom standing.
- Matthew 12:28 (thematic): Jesus' follow-up claim that he casts out demons by the Spirit of God frames the earlier point about Satan's kingdom and advances the positive theological conclusion (Kingdom of God has come).
Alternative generated candidates
- If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself—how then will his kingdom stand? You say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
- And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself—how then will his kingdom stand?
Matt.12.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εν: PREP
- Βεελζεβουλ: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκβαλλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,neut
- δαιμονια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- υιοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- εν: PREP
- τινι: PRON,dat,sg
- εκβαλλουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- αυτοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- κριται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- εσονται: VERB,fut,mid,ind,3,pl
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Luke 11:19-20 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus poses the same question about Beelzebul and the disciples ('your sons') casting out demons and concludes they will be judges.
- Mark 3:23-26 (verbal): Parallel account of the Beelzebul charge and Jesus' rebuttal about a divided kingdom and the illogic of Satan casting out Satan; closely related argumentative context.
- Matt.12:28 (thematic): Immediate Matthean context presenting Jesus' alternative explanation — that he casts out demons by the Spirit of God — directly responding to the Beelzebul accusation.
- Matt.10:1 (structural): Earlier Matthean passage showing Jesus granted his disciples authority to cast out unclean spirits, supporting the reference to 'your sons' who also cast out demons.
Alternative generated candidates
- And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your own people cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
- And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.
Matt.12.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- δε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- πνευματι: NOUN,dat,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- εκβαλλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τα: ART,acc,pl,neut
- δαιμονια: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αρα: PART
- εφθασεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- εφ᾽υμας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Luke 11:20 (quotation): Direct parallel statement: Jesus says his casting out of demons is by the Spirit/finger of God and therefore the kingdom of God has come upon you—same claim as Matthew 12:28.
- Mark 3:23-27 (thematic): Jesus argues that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and uses the 'strong man' motif to show his exorcisms are a victory over Satan—the same argument behind Matthew's claim that demon-casting signals the kingdom's arrival.
- Acts 10:38 (thematic): Speaks of Jesus being anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, healing and casting out demons—portrays Jesus' Spirit-empowered activity as evidence of God's present saving rule.
- Isaiah 61:1 (allusion): Prophecy of the Spirit-anointed servant proclaiming liberty to the oppressed; Jesus applies this messianic/Spirit language to his ministry (e.g., Luke 4:18), linking Spirit activity with inauguration of God's reign.
- Matt.12:29 (structural): Immediate Matthean context: the 'strong man' illustration explains how Jesus can plunder demonic power—reinforces that his exorcisms manifest the inbreaking kingdom mentioned in 12:28.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
- But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Matt.12.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- πως: ADV
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- τις: PRON,nom,sg,3
- εισελθειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οικιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- ισχυρου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,neut
- σκευη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αρπασαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- πρωτον: ADV
- δηση: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ισχυρον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τοτε: ADV
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- οικιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- διαρπασει: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Mark 3:27 (verbal): Nearly identical saying in Mark’s Gospel about binding the strong man before plundering his house; same exorcism/kingdom imagery and wording.
- Luke 11:21-22 (verbal): Luke preserves the same analogy of a strong man bound so his house can be plundered—used in the same context of Jesus’ work against demonic power.
- Colossians 2:15 (thematic): Paul describes Christ’s triumph over spiritual rulers and authorities (disarming them and making a public spectacle), echoing the motif of defeating a ‘strong man’ to seize his domain.
- Hebrews 2:14 (thematic): Speaks of Christ destroying the one who has the power of death (the devil), thematically paralleling the idea of overpowering demonic forces so others may be freed.
- John 12:31 (allusion): Jesus’ statement that the ruler of this world will be cast out aligns with the imagery of overthrowing Satan’s power implicit in binding the strong man.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or how can someone enter the house of a strong man and plunder his property, unless he first binds the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
- Or how can someone enter the house of a strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
Matt.12.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- ων: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,m
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- κατ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μη: PART
- συναγων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- μετ᾽εμου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,1
- σκορπιζει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 11:23 (verbal): Nearly identical wording in Luke's parallel: the same saying that whoever is not with Jesus is against him, and whoever does not gather with him scatters.
- Mark 9:40 (thematic): Related saying about association: 'Whoever is not against us is for us'—addresses boundaries of opposition and support, offering a contrast with Matthew's stricter either/or formulation.
- Matt.10:40 (structural): Links acceptance/rejection of Jesus' messengers to acceptance/rejection of Jesus himself ('He who receives you receives me'), underscoring communal alignment with or against Jesus.
- Joshua 24:15 (thematic): A call for decisive allegiance ('...as for me and my house we will serve the LORD')—parallels the demand for a clear choice to be 'with' or 'against.'
- 1 Kings 18:21 (thematic): Elijah's challenge 'How long will you waver between two opinions?... Choose this day whom you will serve' echoes the binary choice of loyalty expressed in Matthew 12:30.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
- Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Matt.12.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δια: PREP
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- πασα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- αμαρτια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- βλασφημια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αφεθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,m
- ανθρωποις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- δε: CONJ
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- βλασφημια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αφεθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Mark 3:28-29 (verbal): Almost identical saying in Mark: declares that all sins and blasphemies will be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is eternal—direct verbal parallel and same teaching context.
- Luke 12:10 (verbal): Parallel wording: whoever speaks against the Son of Man may be forgiven but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven—same saying with slight variation in subject.
- Matt.12:32 (structural): Immediate context/continuation in Matthew: repeats and explains consequence (no forgiveness either in this age or the age to come), forming a unit with 12:31.
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (thematic): Discusses persons who have tasted heavenly gifts and then fall away, asserting it is impossible to restore them to repentance—thematic parallel about irrecoverable apostasy or an unforgivable condition.
- Hebrews 10:26-29 (thematic): Warns that willful sin after receiving knowledge of truth incurs severe judgment and no sacrifice left for sins—thematically related to the idea of a sin leading to no forgiveness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore I tell you: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
- Therefore I tell you: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven the people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.
Matt.12.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ος: PRON,nom,sg,m
- εαν: CONJ
- ειπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- υιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- αφεθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·ος: PRON,dat,sg,m
- δ᾽αν: PART
- ειπη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- κατα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- πνευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- αγιου: ADJ,gen,sg,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αφεθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τουτω: DEM,dat,sg,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αιωνι: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- ουτε: CONJ
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- μελλοντι: PART,pres,act,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 3:28-29 (quotation): Direct synoptic parallel: Jesus speaks of the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit and calls it eternal ('never forgiven'), matching Matthew's warning.
- Luke 12:10 (quotation): Lukan parallel stating that whoever speaks against the Son of Man may be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, repeating the core claim.
- Matthew 12:31 (structural): Immediate literary context in Matthew: contrasts forgiveness of human-directed speech with the unique gravity of speaking against the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 5:3-4 (verbal): Peter equates lying to the Holy Spirit with lying to God, underscoring the seriousness of offenses directed at the Spirit that underlie Jesus' warning.
- Hebrews 6:4-6 (thematic): A theological parallel concerning the danger/possibility of a decisive, non‑repentant repudiation (falling away) that cannot be restored, often discussed alongside the unforgivable sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven—neither in this age nor in the age to come.
- And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come.
Matt.12.33 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- δενδρον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- καλον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- καρπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- καλον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- ποιησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- δενδρον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- σαπρον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- καρπον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- σαπρον·εκ: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- καρπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- δενδρον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- γινωσκεται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Matt.7:16-20 (verbal): Uses the same tree-and-fruit imagery and the explicit maxim 'You will know them by their fruits' to distinguish true from false teachers; closely parallels the saying in Matthew 12:33.
- Luke 6:43-45 (verbal): Lukan parallel to Matthew's saying: repeats the tree/fruit simile and develops the connection between inner disposition (heart) and outward speech/behavior.
- James 3:11-12 (verbal): Similar rhetorical contrast (Can a spring send forth both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree bear olives?) arguing that one source cannot produce mutually contradictory results—paralleling the good/ corrupt tree and fruit antithesis.
- John 15:1-8 (thematic): Develops the theme of 'fruit' as the visible evidence of a true relationship (branch abiding in the vine); fruit functions as the criterion of identity and spiritual vitality, echoing the diagnostic function of 'fruit' in Matthew 12:33.
Alternative generated candidates
- Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree rotten and its fruit rotten; for the tree is known by its fruit.
- Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit.
Matt.12.34 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- γεννηματα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- εχιδνων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- πως: ADV
- δυνασθε: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,pl
- αγαθα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- λαλειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- πονηροι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- γαρ: PART
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- περισσευματος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- το: ART,nom,sg,n
- στομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- λαλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Luke 6:45 (verbal): Almost identical wording and teaching: 'out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks' — direct Synoptic parallel emphasizing the heart as the source of speech.
- Matt.15:18-19 (verbal): Same Matthean teaching that what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, with an explicit list of the evil produced there.
- Mark 7:21-23 (verbal): Parallel Synoptic passage to Matt.15 that enumerates evil thoughts and actions coming from the heart, supporting the link between inner disposition and speech/action.
- James 3:6-10 (thematic): Discussion of the tongue's destructive power and the inconsistency of blessings and curses from the same mouth—thematically echoes the moral significance of speech as reflecting the heart.
- Proverbs 4:23 (thematic): Advises guarding the heart 'for out of it are the issues of life,' a proverb that undergirds the biblical principle that the heart is the wellspring of words and deeds.
Alternative generated candidates
- You brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
- You brood of vipers! How can you, who are evil, speak what is good? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matt.12.35 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αγαθος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- αγαθου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- θησαυρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκβαλλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αγαθα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- πονηρος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ανθρωπος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,m
- πονηρου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- θησαυρου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκβαλλει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- πονηρα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
Parallels
- Luke 6:45 (verbal): Nearly identical wording in Luke: the good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good, the evil person out of evil brings forth evil.
- Matt.7:16-20 (thematic): Jesus' 'trees and fruits' teaching: a tree's inner nature determines its fruit—used to discern people by their works, echoing inner source → outward action.
- James 3:11-12 (thematic): Rhetorical contrast about a spring not producing both fresh and bitter water—stresses consistency between a source and its outcomes, similar to treasure/fruit imagery.
- Proverbs 4:23 (thematic): Wisdom proverb urging watchfulness over the heart as the spring/wellspring of life, connecting inner disposition with resulting behavior.
Alternative generated candidates
- The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good things, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil things.
- A good person from the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; an evil person from the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Matt.12.36 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- δε: CONJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- παν: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- ρημα: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- αργον: ADJ,nom,sg,n
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- λαλησουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αποδωσουσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- περι: PREP
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- κρισεως·: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 12:37 (structural): Immediate continuation of the saying: 'For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned,' directly linking words to final judgment.
- Luke 12:2-3 (thematic): Affirms that hidden speech will be revealed and heard openly—connects the exposure of what is spoken with eventual judgment.
- Romans 14:12 (thematic): Declares that each person will give an account of themselves to God, echoing the theme of personal accountability Jesus attributes to one’s words.
- Hebrews 4:12-13 (allusion): Describes the word of God as discerning thoughts and intentions and declares nothing hidden from God’s sight—supports the idea that all speech will be exposed and judged.
- James 3:1-12 (thematic): Warns about the tongue’s power and the moral consequences of speech, resonating with Jesus’ warning that every idle word will be accounted for.
Alternative generated candidates
- I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render account for every careless word they speak.
- I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every idle word they speak.
Matt.12.37 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εκ: PREP
- γαρ: PART
- των: ART,gen,pl,f
- λογων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- δικαιωθηση: VERB,fut,pass,ind,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,f
- λογων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- καταδικασθηση: VERB,fut,pass,ind,2,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 12:36 (verbal): Immediate context: Jesus says people will give account for every careless word—directly parallels that one’s words will acquit or condemn.
- Luke 12:2-3 (thematic): States that nothing hidden will remain and what is spoken in darkness will be heard in the light, linking revelation of speech to eventual judgment.
- James 3:2-12 (thematic): Treats the tongue's power to bless or curse and the ethical consequences of speech, echoing that words reveal the heart and carry moral/accountability weight.
- Proverbs 18:21 (verbal): Proclaims that 'death and life are in the power of the tongue,' a proverbologically parallel claim that words can bring condemnation or vindication.
Alternative generated candidates
- For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
- For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
Then they brought to him a man possessed by a demon who was blind and mute; and he healed him, so that the man both spoke and saw.
All the crowd were astonished, and they said, "Could this be the Son of David?" But when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This man does not cast out demons except by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons."
Aware of their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.
If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself—how then will his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your people cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
Or how can one enter the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then he will plunder his house.
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Therefore I tell you: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this age nor in the age to come.
Make the tree good, and its fruit will be good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit will be bad— for a tree is known by its fruit.
You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, you who are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every idle word they speak.
For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.