Matthew 12:44

KJV

Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} he saith {G3004}, I will return {G1994} into {G1519} my {G3450} house {G3624} from whence {G3606} I came out {G1831}; and {G2532} when he is come {G2064}, he findeth {G2147} it empty {G4980}, swept {G4563}, and {G2532} garnished {G2885}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then it says to itself, `I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house standing empty, swept clean and put in order.

Berean Standard Bible

Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.

American Standard Version

Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 12:44 describes the perilous state of a life or nation from which an evil spirit has been expelled, but which has not subsequently been filled with God's presence and truth. The verse portrays the returning unclean spirit finding its former dwelling "empty, swept, and garnished," indicating a superficial cleansing or outward orderliness that masks an inner spiritual void, making it ripe for a more severe spiritual infestation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' teaching on the spiritual dangers of a superficial cleansing, immediately following the parable of the unclean spirit in [Matthew 12:43](/matthew/12-43 "Matthew 12:43 - The Unclean Spirit's Departure"). In [Matthew 12:22-37](/matthew/12-22-37 "Matthew 12:22-37 - Jesus and Beelzebub"), Jesus has just healed a demon-possessed man, leading to accusations from the Pharisees that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebub. Jesus refutes this, demonstrating the illogical nature of their claim and asserting that His power comes from the Spirit of God ([Matthew 12:28](/matthew/12-28 "Matthew 12:28 - The Kingdom of God has Come")). The parable of the returning spirit serves as a stark warning to His generation, particularly the religious leaders, who, despite witnessing His miracles and hearing His teachings, remained unrepentant and spiritually resistant to the Kingdom of God. The "house" in this context can be interpreted as an individual's life or, broadly, the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel, which had been "cleansed" of idolatry after the exile but had not truly embraced God's will or the Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Jewish society, particularly under Roman occupation, was marked by various spiritual movements and expectations of the Messiah. While the nation had largely abandoned the overt idolatry that led to the Babylonian exile, a new form of spiritual emptiness had emerged, characterized by legalism, hypocrisy, and a rejection of true spiritual transformation. The Pharisees, in particular, emphasized outward adherence to the Law and ritual purity, often neglecting the internal condition of the heart, as Jesus frequently pointed out (e.g., [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees")). The concept of demons and exorcism was prevalent, and people understood the idea of spirits inhabiting individuals. Jesus' parable taps into this cultural understanding to convey a deeper spiritual truth: outward reform without inward regeneration is insufficient and dangerous. The "house" being "swept and garnished" could allude to the meticulous but often superficial religious practices of the day, which created an appearance of godliness without the indwelling presence of God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several crucial themes within Matthew's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the **peril of spiritual vacuum**, emphasizing that merely removing evil is not enough; the void must be filled with God's presence, truth, and righteousness. Secondly, it warns against **superficiality and outward religiosity** that lacks genuine inner transformation, a recurring critique Jesus levels against the Pharisees throughout [Matthew 23](/matthew/23 "Matthew 23 - Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees"). The "empty, swept, and garnished" house perfectly illustrates a life that appears orderly and clean on the surface but lacks the vital indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, the passage foreshadows the **danger of spiritual relapse and a worse state** ([Matthew 12:45](/matthew/12-45 "Matthew 12:45 - The Worse State")), suggesting that a person or nation that rejects the light offered will find themselves in a more profound darkness. This theme resonates with Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in [Matthew 23:37-39](/matthew/23-37-39 "Matthew 23:37-39 - Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem"), where He mourns their rejection of Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **empty (Greek, _scholázō'_):** From G4980, meaning "to take a holiday, i.e., be at leisure for; figuratively, to be vacant (of a house)." This word emphasizes that the house is not merely unoccupied, but *available* or *at leisure* for new occupants. It conveys a sense of readiness for something to move in, highlighting the vulnerability created by the absence of a positive spiritual presence.
* **swept (Greek, _saróō'_):** From G4563, meaning "to sweep." This term indicates a deliberate act of cleaning and tidying. It suggests an outward effort to remove dirt and disorder, creating an appearance of cleanliness. In the parable, it signifies a superficial reformation or removal of overt sin, without addressing the underlying spiritual emptiness.
* **garnished (Greek, _kosméō'_):** From G2885, meaning "to put in proper order, i.e., decorate (literally or figuratively)." This word implies not just cleanliness but also an arrangement or adornment, making the house outwardly appealing or presentable. It further reinforces the idea of a superficial, external order that masks a fundamental spiritual vacancy and lack of true, divine occupation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out;":** This clause describes the decision and intention of the unclean spirit. The spirit, having been expelled, considers its former dwelling as "my house," indicating a sense of ownership or prior claim. The phrase "from whence I came out" confirms its previous occupation. This highlights the persistent nature of spiritual adversaries and their desire to reclaim territory once held, especially if it remains spiritually unfortified.
* **"and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished.":** This describes the condition of the "house" upon the spirit's return. "Empty" (scholázō) signifies a spiritual vacuum—the absence of any new, positive spiritual occupant, particularly the Holy Spirit. "Swept" (saróō) suggests that outward sins or disorders have been removed, creating a clean appearance. "Garnished" (kosméō) implies that the life or nation has been put in order, perhaps through moral reform or religious observance, making it outwardly attractive or respectable. Crucially, while clean and orderly, it remains devoid of true spiritual life and divine presence, making it susceptible to re-infestation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Personification** is evident in the unclean spirit's ability to speak ("he saith") and make decisions ("I will return"), giving it agency and intent. The "house" functions as a powerful **symbolism**, representing an individual's life, heart, or, more broadly, the spiritual condition of the nation of Israel. Its description as "empty, swept, and garnished" is a form of **irony** and **contrast**. While "swept" and "garnished" suggest positive qualities of cleanliness and order, the overriding descriptor "empty" reveals the inherent danger. This creates a stark contrast between outward appearance and inward reality, highlighting the peril of superficial spiritual reformation without genuine transformation. The entire passage is an **allegory**, where the literal actions of the spirit and the house convey a deeper spiritual truth about the necessity of filling a cleansed life with God's presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly teaches that spiritual deliverance or cleansing, while necessary, is insufficient on its own. It underscores the critical need for a positive spiritual occupation. If a life is merely emptied of evil without being filled with the Holy Spirit and the righteousness of God, it remains vulnerable, and indeed, becomes more susceptible to a worse spiritual state. This highlights the biblical principle that nature abhors a vacuum, especially in the spiritual realm. True spiritual health requires not just the absence of sin but the active presence and indwelling of God. This concept is foundational to understanding salvation not just as deliverance *from* something, but as transformation *into* something, specifically, into the likeness of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.

* [Luke 11:24-26](/luke/11-24-26 "Luke 11:24-26 - The Return of the Unclean Spirit") – This parallel passage in Luke's Gospel reinforces the same warning about the danger of spiritual emptiness after an initial cleansing.
* [2 Peter 2:20-22](/2_peter/2-20-22 "2 Peter 2:20-22 - Worse Than Before") – Peter's warning about those who escape the world's corruption but are again entangled and overcome, leading to a worse latter end, directly echoes the principle found in Matthew 12:44-45.
* [Ephesians 5:18](/ephesians/5-18 "Ephesians 5:18 - Be Filled with the Spirit") – This verse provides the divine solution to the spiritual vacuum, commanding believers to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit as the positive spiritual occupation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 12:44 serves as a potent warning against spiritual complacency and superficiality in the Christian life. It teaches us that merely ceasing from sinful behaviors or experiencing a moment of spiritual cleansing, whether through repentance, deliverance, or initial conversion, is not the end of the spiritual journey. If the void left by the departure of sin is not actively and intentionally filled with the presence of God, His Word, and His Spirit, then that space remains dangerously open to renewed and potentially more severe spiritual attacks. This calls for a proactive and ongoing pursuit of spiritual growth: diligently cultivating a relationship with Christ through prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture, engaging in faithful fellowship, and yielding daily to the Holy Spirit's leading. Our lives must be actively occupied by the divine, not just outwardly cleaned for show. True transformation is an internal work of the Spirit that manifests in external righteousness, preventing the "house" from becoming an inviting space for former spiritual enemies.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life have I perhaps "swept and garnished" the exterior without truly filling the interior with God's presence?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my "house" is not left empty, but continually filled with the Holy Spirit and God's truth?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of spiritual victory – is it merely the absence of sin, or the active presence of Christ?**

### FAQ

**What does Jesus mean by the "house" in this parable?**

Answer: The "house" in this parable is a powerful metaphor. Primarily, it refers to an individual's life or heart. When an unclean spirit "comes out" of a person, that person's life is initially cleansed. However, if that void is not filled with God's presence and righteousness, it remains spiritually empty. By extension, the "house" can also symbolize the nation of Israel at the time of Jesus, which had been cleansed of idolatry after the Babylonian exile but had largely rejected the Messiah and true spiritual transformation, becoming outwardly religious but inwardly empty. This spiritual vacuum made them vulnerable to a worse state of spiritual blindness and judgment, as seen in [Matthew 12:45](/matthew/12-45 "Matthew 12:45 - The Worse State").

**Why is it dangerous for the house to be "empty, swept, and garnished"?**

Answer: The danger lies in the combination of "empty" with "swept and garnished." "Swept and garnished" implies an outward appearance of order, cleanliness, and even attractiveness. It suggests a superficial reformation or moral improvement that addresses external behaviors but leaves the core spiritual being vacant. The crucial word is "empty" (Greek: _scholázō_), meaning "unoccupied" or "at leisure." This spiritual vacuum creates an inviting space for the expelled spirit, or even a multitude of spirits, to return. Without the positive indwelling of God's Holy Spirit, a life, despite its outward tidiness, lacks divine protection and guidance, making it highly susceptible to spiritual relapse and a condition worse than before, as explained in [Matthew 12:45](/matthew/12-45 "Matthew 12:45 - The Worse State").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 12:44, while a warning, points directly to the ultimate solution found in Christ. The "empty, swept, and garnished" house represents a life or a people that has undergone a superficial cleansing or moral reform but lacks the essential indwelling presence of God. This spiritual vacuum is precisely what the coming of Christ addresses. Jesus, through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, provides the means not just for the removal of sin, but for the filling of our lives with the Holy Spirit, making us new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). He is the true occupant who transforms the "house" from within, making it a temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit")). Unlike the temporary expulsion of a demon, Christ offers a permanent indwelling and a complete spiritual renovation, ensuring that the "house" is not merely clean, but occupied by divine life and power, protecting us from the return of spiritual darkness and leading us into eternal life ([John 14:16-17](/john/14-16-17 "John 14:16-17 - The Spirit of Truth")).

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

1 John 4:4

¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Revelation 13:8

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Revelation 13:9

If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Psalms 81:11

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

Psalms 81:12

So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

1 Timothy 6:9

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.