Matthew 12:31–32

Context

When Jesus heals a man who is possessed by a demon, blind, and mute, the crowds are amazed and ask whether he is the Son of David. The Pharisees claim that he casts out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of the demons (Matthew 12:22–24). Jesus replies that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and declares that if he casts out devils "by the Spirit of God," then the kingdom of God has come upon them. He then issues this warning. The Gospel of Mark states the reason at the close of the saying: "Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit" (Mark 3:30).

Interpretation

• As obstinate rejection: This view holds that the passage refers to an obstinate state in which a person, having witnessed the evident work of the Holy Spirit, deliberately calls it the work of Satan. Many interpreters maintain that such a person remains unforgiven not because God refuses to forgive, but because the person rejects the very path of repentance and forgiveness. Augustine is reported to have interpreted the sin as an obstinacy that refuses to repent to the very end.
• As limited to the historical situation: Another view restricts the sin to the Pharisees of Jesus' day, who directly witnessed his ministry and attributed his power to demons.
• The distinction from "whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man": The distinction drawn in verse 32, that words spoken against Jesus himself out of misunderstanding and opposition can be forgiven, is explained together with the fact that even those who denied the Lord, such as Peter, could be restored.

Controversies and Issues

In pastoral ministry, many believers fear that they may have committed this sin. Pastoral guidance in various denominations explains that a person who feels such fear and desires to repent thereby shows evidence of not having committed it.

At Pentecostal and charismatic gatherings, those who criticize phenomena such as speaking in tongues, healing, or falling under the power of the Spirit are sometimes warned that they are committing "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit." Critics of this practice respond that discerning the spirits (1 John 4:1) is different from blaspheming the Holy Spirit, and that using this passage to silence criticism is a misuse of it. The passage's relationship to Hebrews 6:4–6 and to the "sin unto death" of 1 John 5:16 is also discussed.

Related Passages

• Mark 3:28–30
• Luke 12:10
• Hebrews 6:4–6
• 1 John 5:16