Matthew 12:36 Meaning and Explanation
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus warns that people will give account for every careless word on the day of judgment.
What Does Matthew 12:36 Mean?
Jesus presses the weight of words further still. Even careless, idle words, the ones spoken thoughtlessly and forgotten, will be brought into account on the day of judgment. Nothing said is too small to matter before God, who hears all and weighs all.
This is a sobering call to take our speech seriously. If even idle words are remembered, how much more our deliberate ones. Yet the warning is not meant to crush but to awaken reverence and care. Our tongues reveal our hearts, and both are open before God. The remedy is a heart so filled with his grace that even our smallest words carry truth and love, fit to stand in the light of his judgment.
Matthew 12:36 in the Original Language
argos (ἀργός), 'idle' -- inactive, useless, or fruitless, here a word spoken carelessly and to no good purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:36
What does Matthew 12:36 mean?
Jesus warns that people will give account for every careless word on the day of judgment.