Matthew 12:36

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

But {G1161} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, That {G3754} every {G3956} idle {G692} word {G4487} that {G3739}{G1437} men {G444} shall speak {G2980}, they shall give {G591} account {G3056} thereof {G4012}{G846} in {G1722} the day {G2250} of judgment {G2920}.

Moreover, I tell you this: on the Day of Judgment people will have to give account for every careless word they have spoken;

But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

Matthew 12:36 delivers a solemn warning from Jesus Christ about the profound significance of human speech. Following a confrontation with the Pharisees, where they accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub (the prince of devils), Jesus extends His teaching on the spiritual implications of words, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant utterances carry eternal weight.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' strong rebuke of the Pharisees for their blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31-32). He had just declared that a tree is known by its fruit, and that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34-35). In this context, verse 36 serves as a stark reminder that if malicious words are condemned, then even careless or unproductive words are not exempt from divine scrutiny. It underscores the idea that our speech is a direct indicator of our inner spiritual condition.

Key Themes

  • Accountability for Words: The primary message is that every word spoken by individuals will be subject to divine scrutiny. This highlights a profound level of personal responsibility for our communication.
  • The Seriousness of Speech: Jesus elevates the act of speaking from a casual human activity to one with eternal consequences. Words are not mere sounds but expressions of the heart that reflect one's true character.
  • The Day of Judgment: This phrase points to a future time when all humanity will stand before God to give an account of their lives, including their words. It serves as a powerful motivator for careful speech and righteous living.
  • Inner Reflection: Since words flow from the heart (Luke 6:45), this verse implicitly calls for an examination of one's inner motives, thoughts, and attitudes, as these ultimately shape what is spoken.

Linguistic Insights

The key phrase in this verse is "every idle word." The Greek word for "idle" is argos (ἀργός), which literally means "not working" or "inactive." It can imply:

  • Useless or Unprofitable: Words that serve no good purpose, contribute nothing positive, or are simply empty.
  • Careless or Negligent: Words spoken thoughtlessly, without consideration for their impact or truthfulness.
  • Barren or Fruitless: Speech that produces no spiritual or moral benefit, contrasting with words that build up, encourage, or glorify God.
This suggests that accountability is not just for blasphemous or malicious words, but also for those that are trivial, wasteful, or born out of a lack of spiritual discipline.

Practical Application

Matthew 12:36 challenges believers to consider the weight and impact of their daily conversations. It calls for:

  • Mindful Speech: We should strive for intentional communication, seeking to speak words that are truthful, edifying, and gracious, rather than careless or harmful (Ephesians 4:29).
  • Self-Examination: This verse prompts us to examine our hearts, knowing that our words are a window into our spiritual condition. If our words are often idle or negative, it may indicate a need for deeper spiritual transformation.
  • Reverence for God: Understanding that we will give an account for every word fosters a greater reverence for God and His standards for communication. The power of the tongue is immense, capable of both blessing and cursing.
Ultimately, this teaching encourages a life of integrity, where our words align with our faith and bring glory to God, acknowledging that each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ecclesiastes 12:14

    For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.

  • Romans 2:16

    In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

  • Revelation 20:12

    And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

  • Jude 1:14

    And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

  • Jude 1:15

    ¶ To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

  • Ephesians 6:4

    And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

  • Ephesians 6:6

    Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

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