Matthew 12:37 Meaning and Explanation
“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus says one will be justified or condemned by one's own words.
What Does Matthew 12:37 Mean?
Jesus concludes the matter of speech with a striking statement: by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Words are not weightless; they bear witness for or against the one who speaks them, revealing the true state of the heart.
Because speech flows from within, it stands as evidence in God's reckoning. The accusers who called Christ's good work evil were condemned by their own tongues. This truth urges honesty and care in all we say, knowing our words testify to who we are. It also drives us to seek a heart renewed by grace, that our words may bear witness to faith and love rather than against us in the day of judgment.
Matthew 12:37 in the Original Language
dikaioo (δικαιόω), 'justified' -- to be declared in the right, acquitted, the opposite of being condemned.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 12:37
What does Matthew 12:37 mean?
Jesus says one will be justified or condemned by one's own words.