Matthew 12 36

Matthew 12:36 kjv

But 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 nkjv

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Matthew 12:36 niv

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

Matthew 12:36 esv

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Matthew 12:36 nlt

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 36 Meaning

Jesus proclaims a profound and solemn truth: every word that humans utter, even those deemed insignificant or thoughtless, will be subjected to divine scrutiny on the Day of Judgment. This verse emphasizes the deep moral and spiritual weight of human speech, indicating that the care and purpose behind our words are reflections of our heart and will be held to account before God. It elevates seemingly minor utterances to a matter of eternal consequence, revealing God's perfect righteousness and demand for integrity in all aspects of human expression.

Matthew 12 36 Context

This verse is part of a broader discourse by Jesus in Matthew chapter 12 where He asserts His authority, specifically His power over demons and the Sabbath, and condemns the spiritual blindness and obstinacy of the Pharisees. Immediately preceding verse 36, Jesus performs a miracle of healing a demon-possessed, blind, and mute man (Matt 12:22). While the crowds are amazed, the Pharisees blasphemously attribute His power to Beelzebul, the ruler of demons (Matt 12:24).

Jesus directly confronts this accusation, first by demonstrating its logical inconsistency (a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand) and then by declaring the unique gravity of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31-32). He links their words directly to their character: "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit" (Matt 12:33). Following this, He states, "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt 12:34).

Matthew 12:36 thus logically flows from this teaching, extending the accountability for words beyond blasphemy and malicious slander to all spoken utterances. Jesus emphasizes that if truly evil words come from an evil heart, then even "idle" words, seemingly harmless, will expose the true nature and spiritual health of the speaker's heart. It heightens the moral responsibility for speech within an oral culture where words carried significant weight, oaths were binding, and a person's honor and reputation were intricately tied to what they spoke. This teaching directly challenges the Pharisees' casual disregard for truth and righteousness in their speech.

Matthew 12 36 Word Analysis

• But I say to you (Λέγω δὲ ὑμῖν - Legō de hymin): This is an emphatic, authoritative declaration from Jesus. It signals a pronouncement of profound truth, often contrasting with commonly held beliefs or setting a higher standard, similar to His "But I say to you" statements in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:21ff). It underscores that this is a divine, foundational principle, not human speculation.
• that for (ὅτι περὶ - hoti peri): Introduces the specific truth or content of the declaration.
• every (πᾶν - pan): An all-encompassing term, signifying "all," "every single one," without exception. No word, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to the speaker, escapes this principle of accountability.
• idle (ἀργόν - argon): This is a critical term. The Greek argon literally means "not working," "inactive," "unproductive," "useless," "unprofitable," or even "lazy." It is derived from a (not) + ergon (work). It doesn't primarily mean "malicious" or "evil" in content, but rather "non-effective," "empty," or "careless." These are words that serve no good purpose, bring no benefit, are spoken thoughtlessly, or reflect a lack of earnestness. This distinguishes them from openly blasphemous or slanderous words already discussed by Jesus, extending the judgment to seemingly benign, yet useless, talk.
• word (ῥῆμα - rhēma): Refers specifically to a spoken utterance, a declaration, or a statement. This is distinct from logos, which can refer to a broader concept, reasoning, or the inherent Word. Rhema here points to individual, discrete verbal expressions.
• men may speak (λαλήσωσιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι - lalēsōsin hoi anthrōpoi): From laleō, meaning "to speak," "to talk," or "to chatter." It encompasses all forms of human discourse and communication. The phrasing "men may speak" underscores the universality of the principle—it applies to all humanity.
• they will give account (ἀποδώσουσιν περὶ αὐτοῦ λόγον - apodōsousin peri autou logon): Literally means "they will render account concerning it" or "they will give back an explanation regarding it." Apodidōmi implies paying back, rendering what is due, or settling a debt. This signifies being held fully responsible, submitting a reckoning, or being subject to a formal review. It suggests a thorough divine examination where one must provide justification for their words.
• of it (περὶ αὐτοῦ - peri autou): Refers to each idle word, re-emphasizing the meticulous nature of the coming judgment.
• in the day of judgment (ἐν ἡμέρᾳ κρίσεως - en hēmera kriseōs): This refers to the definite, future, final time of God's righteous evaluation and retribution. It is the inescapable ultimate divine audit where all human actions, thoughts, and words are exposed and weighed by the perfect justice of God, mediated by Jesus Christ.

Word Group Analysis:

• "every idle word": This phrase intensifies the solemnity of the warning. The inclusion of "every" eradicates any notion of exemption, while "idle" clarifies that judgment isn't reserved only for overtly evil speech. It highlights words lacking purpose, spiritual benefit, or edification, which often stem from an undisciplined heart.
• "will give account of it": This points to divine accountability. The standard of judgment is God's perfect holiness, meaning that not just sinful actions but also unhelpful, unproductive, or even neutral-seeming words will face divine scrutiny. It implies that every utterance contributes to or detracts from God's glory and others' well-being.
• "in the day of judgment": This anchors the warning firmly in eschatology. It elevates the issue from a temporal or social concern to an eternal, cosmic one. This future reckoning guarantees that divine justice will be perfectly served for every spoken word, no matter how minor it seemed on earth.

Matthew 12 36 Bonus Section

• Holiness in Speech: This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of holiness, extending it beyond actions and thoughts to every facet of our verbal communication. It compels believers to see their speech as an act of worship and ministry, not merely casual discourse.
• God's Economy of Words: In contrast to human "idle words," God's Word is never empty or without purpose (Isa 55:11). Every divine utterance fulfills its purpose. Our words, too, should strive to reflect this divine intentionality and fruitfulness, aiming for edification and truth (Eph 4:29).
• Tongue Control: The sobering reality of judgment for "idle words" reinforces the constant need for control over the tongue, a recurring theme throughout Scripture (e.g., Ps 141:3, Jas 3:2-12). It underscores the difficulty of such control without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
• Accountability in Evangelism/Discipleship: The warning extends to how we speak about the Gospel, about God, and about one another. Every conversation becomes an arena where we either steward the truth responsibly or potentially incur judgment through carelessness.
• Warning to Public Speakers/Leaders: For those who teach, preach, or lead, the warning is especially pointed, as their words carry even greater weight and influence, increasing their accountability.

Matthew 12 36 Commentary

Matthew 12:36 is a startling declaration from Jesus that expands the scope of divine accountability. It follows directly His stern warning about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and His teaching that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." While His immediate context concerns malicious and blasphemous speech from the Pharisees, Jesus extends the principle of judgment to seemingly less serious utterances: "every idle word." The key lies in understanding "idle" (ἀργόν - argon). It does not mean neutral or harmless; rather, it refers to words that are unproductive, useless, purposeless, or lazy. These are words that do not build up, do not reflect truth, do not glorify God, and do not serve the good of others. Such words reveal a heart that is not fully surrendered to Christ, a heart prone to thoughtlessness, triviality, or even subtle forms of unkindness and self-indulgence.

This verse therefore serves as a profound call to cultivate mindful and purposeful speech, rooted in a transformed heart. Since words are outward expressions of an inward state (Matt 12:34), idle words are symptoms of a heart that lacks the overflow of Christ's righteousness, love, and wisdom. On the Day of Judgment, not only will our actions and intentions be evaluated, but even our fleeting, unexamined conversations will be brought into the light. This underscores the comprehensive nature of God's justice and the absolute standard to which humanity is held. For believers, this is not a call to legalistic fear, but to pursue a greater alignment of their words with God's will, seeking to speak always with grace, truth, and for edification, recognizing that every utterance bears eternal significance and reflects the very core of our being.

Examples of "idle words" in practical life might include:

• Spreading unsubstantiated rumors or engaging in gossip that does not serve to restore or reconcile.
• Constant complaining or negativity that saps energy and offers no constructive solution.
• Flippant, disrespectful jokes or sarcastic remarks that subtly undermine others or sacred things.
• Empty promises made without serious intention of keeping them.
• Unproductive chatter or boasting that wastes time and offers no spiritual benefit.