The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand, 1:1-28:20
The Galilean Ministry, 8:1-18:35
Reception Of the Messiah: Rising Opposition, 11:2-13:53
Response To The Messiah, 11:2-12:50
The Rejection Of The Pharisees, 12:1-12:50
BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE SPIRIT
Mat 12:22-32; Mar 3:20-30
Reading: Le 24:16
Songs:
Theme: There is no sin today of which God cannot forgive us if we repent, change our behavior.
A. Finding out you’ve done something that rightly has offended a person, but of which the person will not allow you to try to make amends, can leave you feeling distraught. It could plague your mind endlessly.
B. The same idea is also true with sin. Nobody wants to be found guilty of a sin of which one can never be forgiven. If that danger were a possibility, wouldn’t you want to be warned before hand?
C. In this passage, for the second time (see 9:34) Jesus' power was attributed to Satan. This time it came as a result of a dramatic healing (12:22) which clearly demonstrated who Jesus is. The response of the people (12:23) to the miracle was to ask if Jesus might have been the promised Messiah, the Son of David. As a result of the response of the people, the Pharisees claimed Jesus received power from Satan. Jesus declared such a sin, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was unforgivable. The questions is, “Can we be guilty of this sin today? Can we sin in such a way, God will not forgive us?”
II. THE CONFRONTATION, 12:21-30
A. Then was brought unto him one possessed with a demon, blind, and dumb: and he healed him ... when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man... cast out demons, ... by Beelzebub, 12:22-24.
22 ¶ Then <5119> was brought <4374> (5681) unto him <846> one possessed with a [devil KJV] demon <1139> (5740), blind <5185>, and <2532> dumb <2974>: and <2532> he healed <2323> (5656) him <846>, insomuch that <5620> the [blind <5185> and <2532> KJV] dumb <2974> [both <2532> KJV] man spake <2980> (5721) and <2532> saw <991> (5721).
23 And <2532> all <3956> the [people KJV] multitudes <3793> were amazed <1839> (5710), and <2532> said <3004> (5707), [Is KJV] Can <2076> (5748) [not <3385> KJV] this <3778> be the son <5207> of David <1138>?
24 But <1161> when the Pharisees <5330> heard <191> (5660) it, they said <2036> (5627), This <3778> [fellow KJV] man doth <1544> <0> not <3756> cast out <1544> (5719) [devils KJV] demons, <1140>, but <1508> by <1722> Beelzebub <954> the prince <758> of the [devils KJV] demons <1140>. [{Beelzebub: Gr. Beelzebul} KJV]
1. Let's examine the circumstances for a moment.
2. Jesus had performed a miracle and those who witnessed it responded in one of two ways:
a. Given that the man healed was not only demon-possessed but blind and unable to hear, some wondered, because of the incredible miracle, if Jesus was the Messiah., vs 23; cf. Joh 3:2; 14:11.
b. Consequently, others, the Pharisees, though having no doubt a miracle was performed (Joh 11:47-48), but wanting to destroy Jesus, attacked his character, accusing Jesus of having healed the man by the power of "Beelzebub," cf. Mat 9:32-34; 10:25; 11:18.
(1) They were implying that Jesus was in league with the devil and according to Mark’s account of this event, that Jesus was also possessed of a demon, vs 24, Mark 3:30.
B. ... he said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation ..., 12:25-30.
25 And <1161> [Jesus <2424> knew KJV] knowing <1492> (5761) their <846> thoughts <1761> [and KJV] he said <2036> (5627) unto them <846>, Every <3956> kingdom <932> divided <3307> (5685) against <2596> itself <1438> is brought to desolation <2049> (5743); and <2532> every <3956> city <4172> or <2228> house <3614> divided <3307> (5685) against <2596> itself <1438> shall <2476> <0> not <3756> stand <2476> (5701):
26 [And KJV] and <2532> if <1487> Satan <4567> [cast KJV] casteth out <1544> (5719) Satan <4567>, he is divided <3307> (5681) against <1909> himself <1438>; how <4459> [shall then KJV] then <3767> shall <2476> <0> his <846> kingdom <932> stand <2476> (5701)?
27 And <2532> if <1487> I <1473> by <1722> Beelzebub <954> cast out <1544> (5719) [devils KJV] demons <1140>, by <1722> whom <5101> do your <5216> [children KJV] sons <5207> cast them out <1544> (5719)? therefore <5124> <1223> [they shall KJV] shall they <846> be <2071> (5704) your <5216> judges <2923>.
28 But <1161> if <1487> I <1473> [cast out devils KJV] by <1722> the Spirit <4151> of God <2316> cast out <1544> (5719) demons <1140>, then <686> is the kingdom <932> of God <2316> [is KJV] come <5348> (5656) [unto KJV] upon <1909> you <5209>.
29 Or <2228> [else KJV] how <4459> can <1410> (5736) one <5100> enter <1525> (5629) into <1519> [a strong man's KJV] the house <3614> of the strong man <2478>, and <2532> spoil <1283> (5658) his <846> goods <4632>, except <3362> he first <4412> bind <1210> (5661) the strong man <2478>? and <2532> then <5119> he will spoil <1283> (5692) his <846> house <3614>.
30 He that is <5607> (5752) not <3361> with <3326> me <1700> is <2076> (5748) against <2596> me <1700>, and <2532> he that gathereth <4863> (5723) not <3361> with <3326> me <1700> scattereth [abroad <4650> (5719)KJV].
1. Jesus conveyed the inconsistency of their claim.
2. The Accusation Was Absurd, vs 12:25-26.
a. Jesus pointed out to them that if he cast out demons through Satan, then Satan was divided against himself and his kingdom would not stand.
b. Internal conflict destroys.
c. It would have been ridiculous for Satan to give Jesus the power to cast out demons, when Jesus clearly demonstrated he was working against Satan.
3. The Accusation Was Prejudiced, vs 27; Ac 19:13-14
a. Jesus also pointed out that the Pharisees had those among themselves who also cast out demons, but who were applauded rather then condemned as collaborators with Satan.
b. If others were considered to have cast out demons by the God’s power, then the judgment should have been that Jesus also did it by God’s power.
4. Jesus’ Argument, vs 28-30
a. If some among the Pharisees also cast out demons, but the power which enable Jesus to do it proved to be greater in demonstration then theirs, if, Jesus’ greater power was attributed to Satan, to whom would the Pharisees have attributed the weaker power which enabled those among them to cast out demons?
(1) They couldn’t have said the weaker power was due to God, for that would have meant Satan’s power was greater then God’s (and that just isn’t so).
(2) If the power by which Jesus cast out the demon was not attributable to Satan, then it would have had to be attributable to a much higher power, which would have had to be God, since Jesus was proving himself stronger than Satan.
(3) Therefore, the Pharisees would have had to conclude that Jesus was sent from God and that the kingdom of God was upon them. In addition, they would have had to conclude the king, Jesus, was present, cp. Joh 10:37-38.
(4) Jesus had another point to his argument.
b. There is no room for neutrality in following Jesus, we are either for him or by default, we are against him.
(1) In World War II, Sweden and Switzerland tried to remain neutral. In their refusal to oppose Hitler and the Third Reich they ended up giving aid and comfort to one of the most evil regimes in human history. Without Swiss banks, for example, Germany would have had a much more difficult time financing their war effort. To not work with the allied cause really meant the "neutral" countries were working against the allies.
(2) Similarly, any one who fails to properly embrace Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, is on the opposite side of God, giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
Transition: The result of the opposing attitude of the Pharisees, Jesus pronounced his outrage.
III. THE CURSE, 12:31-37
A. Every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men but the blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven ..., 12:31-32.
31 [Wherefore KJV] Therefore <1223> <5124> I say <3004> (5719) unto you <5213>, [All manner of KJV] Every <3956> sin <266> and <2532> blasphemy <988> shall be forgiven <863> (5701) unto men <444>; but <1161> the blasphemy <988> against the [Holy Ghost KJV] Spirit <4151> shall <863> <0> not <3756> be forgiven <863> (5701) [unto men <444> KJV].
32 And <2532> whosoever <3739> <302> [speaketh KJV] shall speak <2036> (5632) a word <3056> against <2596> the Son <5207> of man <444>, it shall be forgiven <863> (5701) him <846>; but <3739> whosoever <1161> <302> [speaketh KJV] shall speak <2036> (5632) against <2596> the Holy <40> [Ghost KJV] Spirit <4151>, it shall <863> <0> not <3756> be forgiven <863> (5701) him <846>, neither <3777> in <1722> this <5129> world <165>, [neither KJV] nor <3777> in <1722> [ the world to KJV] that which is to come <3195> (5723).
1. blasphemy, 988 BLASPHEMIA {blas-fay-me'-ah} from 989; TDNT - 1:621,107; n f AV - blasphemy 16, railing 2, evil speaking 1; 19 1) slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another's good name 2) impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty
2. speak, 2036 EPO {ep'-o} a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from 2046, 4483, and 5346);; v AV - say 859, speak 57, tell 41, command 8, bid 5, misc 6, vr say 1; 977 1) to speak, say
5632 Tense - Second Aorist See 5780
Voice - Active See 5784
Mood - Subjunctive See 5792
Count - 449
3. These words were generally used in reference to God (26:63-66; John 10:33) and meant speak against God or using contemptuous speech toward him.
4. We all know God is characterized by forgiveness, Lu.23:34:
a. The Old Testament is filled with examples of God's forgiveness: Adam and Eve, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Ps 86:5; 103:3; Da 9:9; Ex.34:6-7;.
b. The NT is replete with teaching of God's forgiveness, Ep 1:7; 1Jo 1:9.
c. In fact as the text reveals, God even forgives the sin of rejecting Jesus.
5. Knowing of the many verses on forgiveness, it may seem unusual that he taught of an unforgivable sin, especially to many who think Jesus’ death somehow automatically attributes forgiveness of sins to all who claim to follow in the name of Jesus Christ.
B. Of what sin did Jesus speak?
1. What this sin is not.
a. (For some interesting views on this, see the Mormon Doctrine & Covenants, section 132)
b. Grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit, Ep 4:30; 1Th 5:19.
(1) This means the same as rejecting the word
(2) Though we have the Bible, God’s inspired word, denying the Bible’s claims (cp. Ac 26:9; 1Ti 1:13; Ro 11:23) is still not blaspheming the Holy Spirit, otherwise there would be no need to go to the atheists (since blasphemy of the Spirit is unforgivable) with the gospel but we’re told to take it to all.
c. Similarly, it is not denying Jesus, 12:32; cp. Mat 27:44 with Lu 23:39-43; Joh 10:37-38.
d. Not is it hardness of heart
(1) The deceitfulness of sin can harden our hearts and lead to falling away from God once again, see Ga 5:1-4, 1Co 10:12; He 3:13; cp 2Th 2:10-12
(2) If we reject God’s word as our guide for life and instead follow our own desires, we can become sinful to the extent that we can again become lost to God, Ti 3:10-11.
(3) However, this too is not the sin against the Holy Spirit which is not forgivable because if such a person turns around, that person will be forgiven, 1Ti 1:13-14 .
e. The sin unto death, 1Jo 5:16-17.
(1) Though the refusal to confess sin either because one is not seeking forgiveness or not willing to recognize whatever it is as sin, this cannot be the sin spoken of against the Holy Spirit, because if the sin is repented of, it can be forgiven, 1Jo 1:9; Re 22:17; Ac 5:1-11; 1Co 5:1-7; 11:13-32.
(2) The sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven,
2. What is it?
a. It had to do with the Pharisees’ response to a miracle Jesus had performed.
b. Despite all the evidence (they were eye witnesses to the miracle), the Pharisees still refused to believe, and more, attributed the work of God, the power behind it and the testimony of it, to Satan, thereby, blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
c. Can a person be found guilty of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit today?
(1) There is no one who is an eyewitnesses to the miracles today, cp. Ac 4:16!
(2) Accounts of the miracles were passed down to us through the written record, Joh 20:30-31.
(a) The fact is, without witnessing the miracles first hand we cannot do what the Pharisees did attributing the Spirit’s power to Satan.
(b) There is a great difference between those who were "eye-witnesses" and those who either believe or reject the "testimony" of those miracles written in the record.
(c) Only those who saw the miracles performed first hand and than attributed them to Satan, could be guilty of the sin of "blasphemy against the Spirit, because only they could refuse the first hand knowledge God gave them.
CONCLUSION:
I hope this study will help you to understand that today there is no sin of which God will not forgive us if we repent, and work to change our behavior.
Preached:
Fargo, ND 13, June, 1999
Bibliography:
Gary Kerr, BLASPHEMY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT