Matthew 12:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus says every sin and blasphemy may be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
What Does Matthew 12:31 Mean?
Jesus speaks a solemn word about forgiveness. The mercy of God is vast; every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven. Yet he names one exception: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. The warning comes to those who, seeing the Spirit's plain work, call it the work of the devil.
This is not a casual sin of weakness but a settled, willful rejection of the very light by which one would be saved. To name the Spirit's good work as evil, against all evidence, is to close the heart against the only One who can bring repentance and pardon. The warning is severe, yet it stands within a greater proclamation of grace: forgiveness reaches every sin for the heart that will not finally refuse it.
Matthew 12:31 in the Original Language
blasphemia (βλασφημία), 'blasphemy' -- slander or reviling speech, here speech that maligns the Holy Spirit's work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:31
What does Matthew 12:31 mean?
Jesus says every sin and blasphemy may be forgiven, except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.