The Gospel According to Saint Matthew
Matthew 12
Chapter XII · Vol. IV, pp. 68–72
1 Christ reproveth the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the breach of the Sabbath, 3 by scriptures, 10 by reason, 13 and by a miracle. 22 He healeth a man possessed of a devil, who was blind and dumb. 31 Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven. 36 Account shall be made of idle words. 38 He rebuketh the unfaithful, who seek after a sign; 49 and showeth who is his brother, sister, and mother.
1 At that time aJesus went on the sabbath-day through the corn;1 and his disciples were an hungered, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat.2Cited in WSC 60 · WLC 117 · WCF 21.8
a De.23.25. Mar.2.23-28. Lu.6.1-5.
1 Rather, through the corn-fields. They who have seen the many authorized footpaths that traverse the corn-fields in several of the best cultivated parts of England, will have no difficulty in understanding how our Lord and his disciples might go through without trespass.—C.
2 They were authorized by a part of the Mosaic poor-laws, 'to pluck' to satisfy their hunger. See ver.3. De.23.25.—C.
2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, bBehold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath-day.
b ver.10. Lu.13.14. Jn.5.10,16, with Ex.20.9; 23.12; 31.15; 35.2. Nu.15.32-36.
3 But he said unto them, Have ye not read cwhat David did when he was an hungered, and they that were with him;
4 How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the show-bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, dbut only for the priests?
5 Or have ye not read in the law, ehow that on the sabbath-days the gpriests in the temple profane the sabbath,3 and are blameless?
e Nu.28.9,10.
g Jn.7.22,23.
3 In killing, slaying, washing, and burning the sacrifices, &c., as well as on another day.
7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, iI will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.Cited in WLC 99
i Ho.6.6. ch.9.13. 1 Sa.15.22. Ec.5.1. Is.1.11-15. Mi.6.6-8.
8 For the jSon of man is Lord4 even of the sabbath-day.
A.M. cir. 4035. A.D. cir. 31.
j Da.7.13. ch.16.13. Mar.2.27,28. Lu.6.5.
4 Christ claims no authority to dispense with the law, but to explain its observance, as limited by necessity and mercy.—C.
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, lIs it lawful to heal on the sabbath-days? that they might accuse him.
l Lu.13.14; 14.3. Jn.5.10-16; 9.16. ch.22.17.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you that shall have one sheep, and if it nfall into a pit on the sabbath-day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep?5 wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath-days.
5 The man might have to work for his own and family's subsistence.
13 Then saith he to the man, oStretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
15 But when pJesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and qgreat multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
18 Beholdt my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: Iu will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall showv judgment to the Gentiles.
19 Hex shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
x ch.11.29. Zec.9.9.
20 Ay bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax8 shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.Cited in WLC 172
y Is.40.11; 61.1. Ps.147.3. Job 36.7,10. La.3.31-33. Eze.34.16. Am.8.7.
8 The smoking flax. Rather the wick of a lamp, which is offensive while merely smoking.—C.
21 Andz in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
z Is.11.10. Ps.9.10. Ro.15.9-12. ver.18.
22 Thena was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
24 Butc when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.9
A.M. cir. 4035. A.D. cir. 31.
c ch.9.34. Mar.3.22-30. Lu.11.15-23. ch.10.25.
9 The proofs of the reality and stupendous character of our Lord's miracles were such that the Jews could not question them. To have doubted them would have been to have doubted their own senses, and thus to have undermined the basis of all history. They were therefore forced to adopt another course; they attributed them to Satanic agency: and it is this argument our Lord meets with such effect.—P.
25 And dJesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, eEvery kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:Cited in WSC 102 · WCF 20.4
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?Cited in WSC 102
27 And if I by Beelzebub1 cast out devils, gby whom do your children cast them 2out? therefore they shall be your judges.3Cited in WSC 102
1 Or, Beelzebul. And so ver.24.
g Mar.9.38,39. Lu.9.49,50. Ac.19.13.
2 Our Lord does not affirm that the children, the families, or disciples of the Pharisees did actually cast out demons; but since they boldly professed to cast them out—even as the priests of Rome still continue to assert the power of their exorcism—he demands by what power they professed to work the miracle; and, if they professed to cast out demons by the power of God, why should Christ be accused of casting them out by the power of Beelzebub?—C.
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God4 is come unto you.Cited in WSC 26, 102
29 Orh else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.
h Is.49.24,25; 53.12. Re.12.7-10; 20.2,3. Jn.16.11. Lu.11.21,22. Mar.3.27.
31 Wherefore I say unto you, jAll manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.Cited in WLC 151
32 And kwhosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy 5Ghost, lit shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.Cited in WLC 151
* What particular sin constitutes the unpardonable sin against the Holy Ghost, has been the subject of much and anxious inquiry; and by the usual marginal references to 1 John 5. 16, which has no relation whatever to the subject, the perplexities of many have been greatly increased. The following suggestions, it is hoped, may serve to obviate the difficulties of the question:—Our Lord declares, 'No man cometh to the Father, but by me,' Jn. 4. 16. And again, 'I go unto the Father;' and, 'I am the way,' Jn. 14. 12,6; and, 'I am the door,' Jn. 10. 9. Now, let it be recollected that all forgiveness of sin lies in Jesus—(see Mat.26.28. Ep.1.7. Ac.5.31. Re.1.5)—and that the Father dispenses it only for 'his name's sake,' 1 Jn.2.12. Wherefore, if it shall appear, that no man can come to Jesus but by the Holy Ghost (see Jn.3.5. 1 Co.12.3. 1 Jn.5.6), it will follow, that he who blasphemes the Holy Ghost; and pronounces 'him a liar,' can never, so long as he abides in that blasphemy, obtain forgiveness—because he refuses to come to Jesus, in whom alone forgiveness rests.—C.
k Lu.7.34. Jn.7.12. 1 Ti.1.13.
5 See note * in first column.
l Mar.3.29. He.6.4-8; 10.26-31. 1 Sa.2.25. 2 Th.1.9. Is.22.14.
33 Eithern make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
n ch.7.16,17. Lu.6.43-45. Jn.15.5. Ja.3.12.
34 Oo generation of vipers! how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
o ch.3.7; 23.33. Lu.6.45. Job 32.18-20.
35 A pgood man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man, out of the evil treasure, bringeth forth evil things.
p ch.13.52. Pr.10.20,21. 1 Sa.24.13. Is.32.6. Je.6.7. Lu.6.45.
36 But I say unto you, qThat every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment:Cited in WCF 15.4, 33.1
37 For rby thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.6Cited in WCF 33.1
A.M. cir. 4035. A.D. cir. 31.
r Pr.13.3.
6 The word uttered by the mouth is the embodiment of the thought of the heart; consequently the state of the heart—whether pure or impure, may be known by the conversation. Considered in this light by our words we shall be justified or condemned.—P.
38 Thens certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.
s ch.16.1-4. Lu.11.16,29-32. 1 Co.1.22.
39 But he answered and said unto them, Ant evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 Foru as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.Cited in WSC 27 · WLC 50
u Jonah 1.17; 2.2. ch.10.21; 20.19. Jn.2.19.
41 Thev men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it; because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a xgreater than Jonas is here.
42 They queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, za greater than Solomon is here.
y 1 Ki.10.1. 2 Ch.9.1. Lu.11.31.
z ch.3.17; 17.5; 12.6. Col.2.3,9. Jn.1.14,18.
43 Whena the unclean7 spirit is gone out of a man, he bwalketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
b Job 1.7; 2.2. 1 Pe.5.8. ch.8.29.
7 The Evangelists, being Jews, would understand by unclean, whatever defilement of the person the law had condemned—(see, for example, Le.5.2,3; 13.3, &c.; 14.40; 22.5,6);—consequently, an 'unclean spirit' would convey to them the idea of one tempting to acts, or producing diseases, pronounced unclean. This spirit, be it observed, is described as 'gone out' of his own accord, not 'cast out' by the power of God; and then it is added, 'he (that is, the spirit) walketh through dry places' where is no water of life—(see Ps.63.1. Is.55.1. Je.2.13. Re.7.17)—'seeking rest'—endeavouring, it would appear, as wicked men often do, to escape from the sound of the gospel, as come to torment them before the time, Mat.8.29. Then, returning, 'he findeth his house (the soul) empty' of the love and fear of God—'swept' from every undignified and unpopular sin, and 'garnished' with many an ornament of literature, science, civilization, and, it may be, religious profession,—'Then taketh he seven spirits'—a number equal to every day's occurrences—'more wicked than himself.' But how is this possible? He was merely 'unclean,' these are infernal. Behold how readily they may be discovered!—Infidelity, that denieth God!—Impiety, that blasphemeth him!—Idolatry, bowing down to stocks and stones, or Covetousness, selling the true God for gold!—Cowardice, shrinking from the cross, and faithlessly betraying friends, and country, and church!—Falsehood, belying God, and calumniating man!—Pride, 'clothed in purple and fine linen, and faring sumptuously every day,' yet utterly forgetful of the Lord the Provider!—with Cruelty, persecuting the children of God, and blasphemously singing Te Deum, amid the groans of confessors and martyrs.—C.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it cempty, swept, and garnished.
c Ps.81.11,12. Ga.5.19-21. Tit.3.3.
45 Thend goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
d Ps.81.12. Is.66.3,4. He.6.4-8; 10.26. 2 Pe.2.20-22. ch.21.38-41; 15.13; 23.34-38. Jn.15.22,24. 1 Th.2.15,16.
46 While he yet talked to the people, ebehold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
e Mar.3.31-35; 6.3. Lu.8.19-21. ch.13.55. Jn.2.11; 7.3. Ac.1.14. 1 Co.9.5. Ga.1.19.
47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
49 And he stretched forth his hand toward ghis disciples, and said, Behold my mother, and my brethren!
A.M. cir. 4035. A.D. cir. 31.
g ch.10.2-4. Lu.6.13-16. Ac.1.13. Jn.17.12.
Notes
Ver. 26-30. If devils weaken their common cause among men, and work for the confirmation of my doctrines of holiness, which are so directly contrary to all their interests and designs, how can their power in the world stand? And if ye will pretend that I cast out devils by a diabolical influence, by what do your own applauded disciples undertake to cast them out? They shall therefore be witnesses, and give judgment against your partial and unjust accusation of me. And if it be incontrovertibly evident that I cast them out by the almighty influence of God's Spirit, it is then plain that I am come with divine authority to destroy the kingdom of the devil, with power dislodging him from men's bodies and souls, and to set up a spiritual, merciful, and holy kingdom among you: and whoever will not own and join me in my opposition to him, and in gathering sinners out of his kingdom into mine, must be held as an enemy to me and to the conversion of mankind. 31, 32. Whatever blasphemous reproaches ye utter against me in my present debasement, may be pardoned; but if, in this approaching dispensation of the Holy Ghost, ye blaspheme his marvellous gifts and operations as devilish, and contrary to his remarkable convictions, wilfully and maliciously oppose the method of redemption which he comes to apply, it shall never be forgiven you, but the most fearful judgment shall overtake you, both in this world and in the next. 33-37. Nay, your present words manifest the inward wickedness and malice of your heart, and that ye are indeed the children of the devil; for as men's hearts are good or bad, so will be their words and actions. And know, that even your trifling and unprofitable talk, and much more your blasphemous reproaches, must be reckoned for, to your condemnation, in the day of judgment. 41, 42. Christ's divine dignity and authority were manifest; his wisdom was infinite; his preaching frequent, plain, powerful, and long continued; his doctrines were confirmed by miracles unnumbered, and at last by his resurrection and the effusion of the Holy Ghost. 43-45. This parable means, that Satan, being frequently baffled by the miracles of Christ and his apostles, and by the light and power of the gospel among the Jews, should, in great vexation, retire to the Gentile world, hoping to meet with less disturbance among them; but finding himself quickly pursued thither by the still more remarkable influences and success of the gospel, and more abundantly harassed and defeated, he should return to the Jews: and finding most of them destitute of grace, notwithstanding all their pretences to purity and religion, and more ready to resign up themselves to him than before, he would seduce them more powerfully than ever; and by filling them with more obstinate hardness of heart, render their wickedness and ruin altogether remediless.
Ver. 32. It shall not be forgiven him, &c. 'Neither in this world,' by the sentence of any faithful church, Jn. 20. 23; 2 Co. 2. 10; nor in 'the world to come,' by the corresponding sentence of the final Judge, Mat. 6. 14; Lu. 6. 37; 1 Jn. 1. 9. C.
Ver. 36. Idle—'unfruitful' of instruction, as in 1 Pe. 1. 8. C.
Ver. 40. Jesus was interred late on Friday, lay in the grave during all Saturday, and rose early on the Lord's-day; but this, according to Jewish computation of time, was 'three days and three nights.' C.
Reflections.—Be content, my soul, to endure hardships or hunger, and to live on coarse fare, and to put up with ignorant reproaches in following Christ. And in all let me rejoice that he is my advocate and justifier, and the Lord of the Sabbath, who can prescribe the work of it at his pleasure, and has appointed it as his great opportunity of distributing blessings to sinful men. If either diseases or devils plague me, let me cast my burden on the Lord. And if my heart or hand be withered, let me stretch it forth at his power-conveying call. Let me copy his example of constant and humble activity in doing good, or of meekly bearing the vilest reproaches. And let me never check them by passionate returns or by revengeful recrimination, but by unanswerable, and especially practical refutation. Empty professors are very prone to carp at things trifling or lawful, while they indulge an ignorance of the oracles of God. But full of blindness, prejudice, and malignity against Jesus Christ and the gospel, must they be, and fearful is their guilt, and dreadful their danger, who, contrary to strong evidence and deep convictions, blaspheme Jesus Christ and his Spirit. No heathens can sin so heinously, nor be damned so dreadfully! There is an absolute necessity of almighty power and grace to convert men from Satan to God; and to have gracious principles implanted in our hearts, in order to practical holiness. No gracious acts can ever take place till gracious qualities be cultivated by ourselves. But surely we should be very careful to act always as under God's eye, when our final account is to be so strict, and the issues of it so infinitely important! Near relations, or even real saints, are often Satan's instruments to hinder Jesus or his faithful servants in their work. Yet great is his love to, and care for, such as may believe and obey him: and if I be spiritually related and conformed to him, let the world contemn and reject me as they please. But it is very desirable and honourable that all the lovers of Jesus should be as united in promoting the interests of the gospel, as Satan and his subjects are in their opposition to it.