Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Matthew: Chapter 12].
his enemies then and now. Jesus still has his enemies who hate
him and all noble words and deeds because they sting what
conscience they have into fury. But we may have our choice. We
either gather with (\sunag•n\) Christ or scatter (\skorpizei\) to
the four winds. Christ is the magnet of the ages. He draws or
drives away. "Satan is the arch-waster, Christ the collector,
Saviour" (Bruce).
12:31 {But the blasphemy against the Spirit} (\h• de tou
pneumatos blasph•mia\). Objective genitive. This is the
unpardonable sin. In 32 we have \kata tou pneumatos tou hagiou\
to make it plainer. What is the blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit? These Pharisees had already committed it. They had
attributed the works of the Holy Spirit by whose power Jesus
wrought his miracles (12:28) to the devil. That sin was without
excuse and would not be forgiven in their age or in the coming
one (12:32). People often ask if they can commit the
unpardonable sin. Probably some do who ridicule the manifest work
of God's Spirit in men's lives and attribute the Spirit's work to
the devil.
12:34 {Ye offspring of vipers} (\genn•mata echidn•n\). These same
terrible words the Baptist had used to the Pharisees and
Sadducees who came to his baptism (Mt 3:7). But these Pharisees
had deliberately made their choice and had taken Satan's side.
The charge against Jesus of being in league with Satan reveals
the evil heart within. The heart "spurts out" (\ekballei\) good
or evil according to the supply (treasure, \th•saurou\) within.
Verse 33 is like Mt 7:17-19. Jesus often repeated his crisp
pungent sayings as every teacher does.
12:36 {Every idle word} (\pan rh•ma argon\). An ineffective,
useless word (\a\ privative and \ergon\). A word that does no
good and so is pernicious like pernicious anaemia. It is a solemn
thought. Jesus who knows our very thoughts (12:25) insists that
our words reveal our thoughts and form a just basis for the
interpretation of character (12:37). Here we have judgment by
words as in 25:31-46 where Jesus presents judgment by deeds.
Both are real tests of actual character. Homer spoke of "winged
words" (\pteroenta epea\). And by the radio our words can be
heard all round the earth. Who knows where they stop?
12:38 {A sign from thee} (\apo sou s•meion\). One wonders at the
audacity of scribes and Pharisees who accused Jesus of being in
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