Matthew 12:35

KJV

A good 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

A good {G18} man {G444} out of {G1537} the good {G18} treasure {G2344} of the heart {G2588} bringeth forth {G1544} good things {G18}: and {G2532} an evil {G4190} man {G444} out of {G1537} the evil {G4190} treasure {G2344} bringeth forth {G1544} evil things {G4190}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The good person brings forth good things from his store of good, and the evil person brings forth evil things from his store of evil.

Berean Standard Bible

The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

American Standard Version

The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:35 articulates a foundational principle of human behavior: the outward expressions and actions of an individual are direct manifestations of their inner character and the true condition of their heart. Jesus teaches that just as a storehouse yields what is placed within it, so too does the human heart bring forth either good or evil things, depending on the nature of the "treasure" it holds. This verse underscores the profound connection between one's internal spiritual state and their external conduct, revealing that true goodness or wickedness originates from within.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a climactic statement within a crucial discourse by Jesus, immediately following His confrontation with the Pharisees. In [Matthew 12:22-32](/matthew/12-22-32 "Matthew 12:22-32 - Jesus Heals and Confronts the Pharisees"), Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, leading some to wonder if He is the Son of David. However, the Pharisees, in their hardened unbelief, accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus refutes their illogical accusation, warning them about the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. He then transitions to the analogy of a tree and its fruit in [Matthew 12:33](/matthew/12-33 "Matthew 12:33 - A Tree is Known by its Fruit"), stating that a tree is known by its fruit, implying that their evil words reveal their evil hearts. [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart") directly precedes our verse, where Jesus declares, "O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Thus, [Matthew 12:35](/matthew/12-35 "Matthew 12:35 - The Treasure of the Heart") serves as a universal summary of this principle, extending beyond the Pharisees to all humanity, emphasizing that what is stored within the heart will inevitably be expressed outwardly.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish thought, the "heart" (Hebrew: *lev* or *levav*, Greek: *kardia*) was not merely the physical organ but was understood as the very center of a person's being—the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, and moral character. It was considered the source of all thoughts, intentions, and actions. Therefore, when Jesus speaks of the "treasure of the heart," He is referring to the accumulated values, beliefs, desires, and moral inclinations that define an individual's inner self. The concept of "treasure" (Greek: *thēsaurós*) would have been readily understood as something accumulated and stored, whether valuable possessions or, metaphorically, inner qualities. The cultural expectation was that a person's words and deeds should reflect their true character, and hypocrisy was severely condemned. This teaching aligns with a long biblical tradition that emphasizes the heart's primacy in determining one's spiritual state and ultimate destiny, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Matthew's Gospel and biblical theology. One key theme is **The Heart as a Storehouse**, portraying the heart as the repository of one's character, beliefs, intentions, and desires. What is accumulated and cherished within this inner vault, whether good or evil, directly determines what is produced. Another crucial theme is **Actions as Manifestations of Inner State**, establishing a direct and unavoidable correlation between one's internal spiritual condition and their external words and deeds. Good actions and words flow from a heart filled with goodness, while evil actions and words emanate from a heart full of malice or corruption. This principle is consistently echoed throughout Scripture, notably in [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart"). Finally, the verse highlights **Moral Accountability**, implying that individuals are responsible for the "treasure" they cultivate in their hearts. This teaching moves beyond mere outward behavior to address the very source from which all behavior springs, emphasizing the critical importance of cultivating a heart aligned with God's will for producing righteous "fruit."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **treasure (Greek, _thēsaurós'_):** From *tithēmi*, meaning "to place" or "to put." This word refers to a deposit, a storehouse, a chest for keeping valuables, or the valuables themselves. In this context, it vividly portrays the heart as a container or vault where one's inner character, convictions, and desires are stored. It represents the accumulated moral and spiritual capital within a person.
* **heart (Greek, _kardía'_):** A prolonged form of a primary word (Latin *cor*). Figuratively, it denotes the thoughts or feelings (mind) and, by analogy, the middle or core of something. In biblical usage, it signifies the seat of one's intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—the spiritual and moral center of a person's being.
* **bringeth forth (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** From *ek* (out of) and *ballō* (to throw). This verb means "to eject," "cast forth," "drive out," or "expel." It implies an active, often forceful, expulsion or bringing out. Here, it emphasizes that what is stored within the heart will inevitably and actively be externalized through words and actions, a natural outflow from the inner reservoir.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things:"** This clause establishes the positive correlation. A person whose inner being (heart) is filled with "good treasure"—that is, righteous intentions, pure motives, godly desires, and a character shaped by truth and love—will naturally and inevitably produce "good things." These "good things" refer to actions, words, and behaviors that are morally upright, beneficial, and pleasing to God and others. The source dictates the outcome.
* **"and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."** This clause presents the antithetical parallel. Conversely, a person whose heart is filled with "evil treasure"—corrupt desires, malicious intentions, sinful thoughts, and a character defined by unrighteousness—will just as inevitably produce "evil things." These "evil things" encompass words, actions, and behaviors that are morally wrong, harmful, destructive, and contrary to God's will. The principle is consistent: the nature of the inner storehouse determines the nature of the outward manifestation.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 12:35 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound truth. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where the "heart" is presented as a "treasure" or "storehouse." This vivid image helps the audience understand the abstract concept of inner character as a tangible reservoir from which thoughts, words, and actions are drawn. The "good things" and "evil things" brought forth are the "contents" of this treasure. Closely related is **Antithesis** (or **Parallelism**), which is evident in the stark contrast between "a good man" and "an evil man," "good treasure" and "evil treasure," and "good things" and "evil things." This direct opposition highlights the binary nature of human moral output and underscores Jesus' point that there is no neutral ground; one's actions are either good or evil, flowing from a corresponding inner state. The verse also implicitly uses **Cause and Effect**, where the internal state (the treasure of the heart) is presented as the direct cause of the external manifestation (the things brought forth). This logical structure reinforces the inevitability of the outcome based on the inner source.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 12:35 is a cornerstone for understanding the biblical emphasis on the condition of the human heart as the wellspring of all behavior. Theologically, it affirms that sin is not merely an external act but originates from a corrupted inner nature, a heart filled with "evil treasure." Conversely, true righteousness flows from a heart transformed and filled with "good treasure" by divine grace. This verse aligns with the broader biblical teaching that God's primary concern is not just outward conformity but inward purity and transformation ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - The Lord Looks at the Heart")). It highlights the radical depravity of the human heart apart from God's intervention, while simultaneously pointing to the possibility of genuine spiritual fruit when the heart is renewed.

* [Luke 6:45](/luke/6-45 "Luke 6:45 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")
* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:35 serves as a profound call to deep introspection and honest self-examination for every believer. It challenges us to look beyond our external actions and words, which are merely symptoms, to the underlying condition of our hearts, which is the source. What "treasure" are we consciously or unconsciously accumulating within? Are we diligently filling our inner storehouse with God's Word, prayer, worship, and righteous desires, allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate virtues that lead to the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit")? Or are we allowing bitterness, envy, resentment, worldly desires, or ungodly influences to accumulate, knowing that these will inevitably produce negative outcomes in our lives and relationships? This verse underscores the critical importance of guarding our hearts with all diligence, for "out of it are the issues of life" ([Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")). Our spiritual vitality and the quality of our witness in the world depend directly on the treasure we cultivate within.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "treasure" do I recognize as being stored in my heart right now?**
* **In what ways do my words and actions reflect the "treasure" I am cultivating?**
* **What intentional steps can I take to fill my heart with "good treasure" and guard it against "evil treasure"?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of sin and righteousness, moving beyond mere outward behavior to the condition of the heart?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that people are inherently good or evil by nature?**

Answer: Matthew 12:35 does not explicitly state that people are born inherently good or evil, but it strongly implies that by the time a person reaches an age of moral accountability, their heart has accumulated a "treasure" that is either good or evil, which then dictates their actions. The broader biblical narrative, particularly after the Fall, teaches that all humanity inherits a sinful nature ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")), meaning our hearts are naturally inclined towards "evil treasure" unless transformed by God. Therefore, while no one is born "evil" in the sense of being a devil, our fallen nature means that without divine intervention, our hearts will naturally accumulate and bring forth evil things. Conversely, true "goodness" in the biblical sense is not self-generated but is a result of God's work in a person's life, cultivating "good treasure" through the Holy Spirit.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:35 finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. While the verse exposes the universal truth that humanity's actions flow from the heart's treasure, it also implicitly reveals the desperate need for a new heart, as the natural human heart is prone to accumulating "evil treasure" ([Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitfulness of the Heart")). Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, provides the means for this radical transformation. He is the one who offers a "new heart and a new spirit" ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")), cleansing the inner storehouse and filling it with His divine nature. Through faith in Christ, believers are made new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), and the Holy Spirit is given to indwell them, enabling them to cultivate "good treasure"—the very character of Christ. It is only by being united with Him that we can truly "bring forth good things," as our lives become reflections of His goodness, empowered by His Spirit to produce the [fruit of righteousness](/philippians/1-11 "Philippians 1:11 - Fruit of Righteousness") and the [fruit of the Spirit](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - The Fruit of the Spirit").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Colossians 4:6

Let your speech [be] alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Proverbs 15:28

¶ The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 15:4

¶ A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Proverbs 25:11

¶ A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:12

[As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

Matthew 12:34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.