Matthew 12 44

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.

Matthew 12:44 nkjv

Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.

Matthew 12:44 niv

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

Matthew 12:44 esv

Then it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.

Matthew 12:44 nlt

Then it says, 'I will return to the person I came from.' So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order.

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 44 Meaning

This verse describes a spiritual reality through the analogy of an unclean spirit returning to a person previously delivered from it. It portrays the spirit, having left its host, as declaring its intention to return to its "house," referring to the person it once possessed. Upon returning, it finds this 'house' empty of the Holy Spirit, yet seemingly prepared for re-entry, having been "swept" clean of previous defilement and "put in order" without being filled by God. This condition signifies a dangerous spiritual vacuum, where outward cleansing without true inner occupation by the Spirit leaves one vulnerable to greater spiritual oppression.

Matthew 12 44 Context

Matthew 12:44 is part of a longer discourse by Jesus concerning spiritual opposition and the danger of an empty heart. Preceding this parable (Mt 12:43-45), Jesus has just performed a miracle of casting out a demon from a blind and mute man (Mt 12:22), leading to the Pharisees' accusation that He casts out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons. Jesus refutes this, explaining that His exorcisms signify the arrival of God's Kingdom (Mt 12:28). He then warns against "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" (Mt 12:31-32).

The parable of the unclean spirit's return directly follows this, serving as a cautionary tale to His listeners, and indirectly, to the Pharisees who rejected His work while engaging in outward religious performance. It illustrates that merely removing evil, or performing outward rituals without true inner transformation and submission to God's Spirit, leaves a spiritual void. This vacuum can invite a return of the former evil, amplified and more destructive. The historical and cultural context includes a general understanding of demonic activity and spiritual cleansing, but Jesus introduces a deeper truth about the necessity of positive spiritual occupation (by the Holy Spirit) to prevent relapse into a worse condition, which mere self-improvement or external religious acts cannot provide.

Matthew 12 44 Word analysis

• Then it says: Refers to the unclean spirit itself. It communicates the spirit's intention, suggesting a purposeful and strategic return.
• 'I will return': Greek: hupostrepsō (ὑποστρέψω). This is an active and deliberate declaration. The demon asserts its will and right to return to its previous "habitation," underscoring the spiritual bond or claim it had established.
• 'to my house': Greek: ton oikon mou (τὸν οἶκόν μου). This phrase emphasizes a possessive claim. The 'house' is the individual from whom the spirit was expelled. This highlights that while cast out, the spirit still perceives a former domain or residence, demonstrating its tenacious grip and perceived ownership over the person.
• 'from which I came.': Reinforces the idea of a former residence and familiar territory, not just a random place to inhabit.
• And when it comes: Marks the actual execution of the spirit's stated intention to return.
• it finds: Denotes discovery, specifically of the current state of the "house."
• it empty: Greek: scholazonta (σχολάζοντα). This is a crucial word, meaning "at leisure, unoccupied, vacant, idle." It implies not just the absence of the initial spirit, but critically, the absence of any other spiritual occupant, especially the Holy Spirit. This is the perilous void. This state of emptiness signifies a lack of spiritual substance, purpose, or a new indwelling presence.
• swept: Greek: sesarommenon (σεσαρωμένον). Perfect passive participle of sairō (σαίρω), meaning "to sweep, to clean, to brush." This suggests a past action where the 'house' (the person) underwent some form of cleansing or purification, either by exorcism or through moral self-improvement. It looks superficially good.
• and put in order: Greek: kai kekosmēmenon (καὶ κεκοσμημένον). Perfect passive participle of kosmeō (κοσμέω), meaning "to put in order, to arrange, to adorn." This implies an attractive appearance, a state of neatness or beautification. The 'house' is not only clean but also seemingly prepared or made appealing. This signifies moral reform or outward religious practice without a foundational spiritual change or new indwelling presence.
• Word-groups analysis:
  • "to my house from which I came": Establishes the demonic perception of rightful claim and a known domain. This implies a continuing attraction to its former dwelling, regardless of its previous expulsion.
  • "it empty, swept, and put in order": This descriptive triplet reveals the precise condition that makes the house vulnerable. "Empty" is the spiritual core problem (lack of God's Spirit). "Swept" implies an act of removal or outward cleansing (the initial deliverance or personal efforts to abandon sin). "Put in order" suggests an outward display of improvement or piety, yet without genuine spiritual filling. It describes a dangerous vacuum coupled with a deceptive facade of order or progress.

Matthew 12 44 Bonus section

This parable, while applicable to demonic deliverance, also serves as an allegorical warning about the perils of moral reform without spiritual regeneration. People may clean up their lives, abandoning certain vices and adopting outwardly virtuous habits—the 'house' becomes 'swept and put in order.' This can sometimes lead to self-righteousness, like that of the Pharisees, who were scrupulous about external purity but rejected Jesus, demonstrating a heart empty of God's true spirit (Mat 23:25-28). The 'clean, well-ordered but empty' state represents a life without Christ at its core, highly susceptible to even more insidious forms of spiritual bondage or apostasy (as shown in Mt 12:45). It highlights the theological truth that human efforts to self-sanctify are insufficient; a divine occupant—the Holy Spirit—is necessary for true and lasting spiritual health and protection.

Matthew 12 44 Commentary

Matthew 12:44 provides a profound insight into spiritual vulnerability. The critical condition is not the initial uncleanness, but the subsequent emptiness. While deliverance from a demon or a turning from specific sins may create a "swept and put in order" space, if that space is not then filled with the Holy Spirit and dedication to God, it becomes an inviting void. Mere removal of evil, without the active indwelling and transforming presence of Christ, sets the stage for a relapse that is worse than the initial state. This parable warns against a superficial understanding of conversion or sanctification – moral improvement or freedom from sin without genuine spiritual regeneration is insufficient to safeguard the soul. It underlines the essential truth that God does not merely want to clean us; He wants to fill us with Himself. Practical usage reminds believers to not only turn from sin but to diligently cultivate a life filled with God's word, prayer, and submission to the Holy Spirit, lest spiritual growth stagnate and allow room for greater temptations or previous spiritual strongholds to return.