Matthew 12 45

Matthew 12:45 kjv

Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Matthew 12:45 nkjv

Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation."

Matthew 12:45 niv

Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

Matthew 12:45 esv

Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation."

Matthew 12:45 nlt

Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation."

Matthew 12 verses

Matthew 12 45 Meaning

This verse serves as a climactic warning within Jesus' discourse, illustrating the grave spiritual peril of merely removing evil without replacing it with divine goodness. It likens a person who has been spiritually "cleaned" from one sin or demonic influence, but does not then fill that void with God's presence, to an empty house. Into this spiritual vacuum, the original unclean spirit returns, bringing with it an intensified force of wickedness, making the individual's final state far more dire than their initial one. The teaching directly applies to the contemporary "evil generation" that had witnessed Christ's miracles and teachings but remained unrepentant and unreceptive to the Kingdom of God, indicating that their rejection would lead to greater judgment.

Matthew 12 45 Context

Matthew 12:45 is the conclusion of Jesus’ parable of the unclean spirit returning, which immediately follows the scribes’ and Pharisees’ demand for a sign and their accusation that Jesus cast out demons by the power of Beelzebul (the ruler of demons). Jesus counters their accusation by demonstrating the illogic of their claim and then warns them about the unpardonable sin against the Holy Spirit. He describes the current "evil generation" (the specific audience, primarily the unrepentant religious leaders and their followers) as a house from which an evil spirit might be cast out (perhaps by external reform or moral cleansing, or even witnessing Christ's powerful exorcisms), but if this cleansing isn't followed by a true internal change of heart and conversion, leading to the indwelling of God's Spirit, then the house remains empty. The historical and cultural context reflects a period of heightened demonic activity and exorcism practices. However, Jesus emphasizes that a mere absence of evil is not sufficient; the void must be filled with God's presence, righteousness, and His Holy Spirit. This verse functions as a profound indictment against the spiritual superficiality and hardening of hearts displayed by the Jewish leadership and those who reject Him despite witnessing His undeniable signs, implying a coming judgment that would be worse than their current spiritually destitute condition. It foreshadows the eventual desolation of Jerusalem (Matt 23:38).

Matthew 12 45 Word analysis

• Then: (Greek: τότε, `tote`) Indicates a logical progression or consequence, signaling what happens next in the spiritual sequence described.
• it goes: (Greek: πορεύεται, `poreuetai`) Refers to the unclean spirit previously mentioned (Matt 12:43). It suggests intentional movement and purpose in its return.
• and brings with it: (Greek: παραλαμβάνει, `paralambanei`) Signifies actively taking or collecting, emphasizing a deliberate aggregation of additional evil forces.
• seven other spirits: (Greek: ἑπτὰ ἕτερα πνεύματα, `hepta hetera pneumata`)
  • seven: A number of completeness or perfection in biblical numerology. Here, it denotes an intensified, complete, or overwhelming number, making the spiritual invasion far more powerful. It doesn't mean exactly seven, but rather a full contingent or multitude.
  • other: (Greek: ἕτερα, `hetera`) Implies they are distinct but of the same kind or nature as the first spirit – unclean, demonic.
  • spirits: (Greek: πνεύματα, `pneumata`) Refers to unseen, malevolent, personal spiritual beings (demons).
• more wicked than itself: (Greek: πονηρότερα ἑαυτοῦ, `ponerotera heautou`)
  • more wicked: (Greek: πονηρότερα, `ponerotera`) Comparative form, highlighting a significant escalation in malevolence, depravity, and harmfulness. The spiritual condition becomes drastically worse.
  • than itself: Referring to the original single unclean spirit.
• and they enter: (Greek: εἰσελθόντα, `eiselthonta`) Denotes active movement into the "house" (the person's spiritual being), indicating invasion.
• and dwell there: (Greek: κατοικεῖ, `katoikei`) Means to settle down, reside, or take up permanent habitation. This is not a temporary visit but an entrenched, dominating presence. It contrasts with a brief departure.
• and the last state: (Greek: καὶ γίνεται τὰ ἔσχατα, `kai ginetai ta eschata`) Refers to the final or ultimate condition, the concluding situation of the person.
• of that man: (Greek: τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐκείνου, `tou anthropou ekeinou`) Referring to the individual who initially had the spirit depart, or to the general concept of such a person.
• is worse than the first: (Greek: χείρονα τῶν πρώτων, `cheirona ton proton`)
  • worse: (Greek: χείρονα, `cheirona`) Strong comparative, signifying a significantly more negative, harmful, or severe condition.
  • than the first: Refers to the original state or initial condition before the spirit's temporary departure. This highlights deterioration.
• So shall it also be: (Greek: οὕτως ἔσται καί, `houtōs estai kai`) Introduces the application of the parable, showing that the principle is not just a story but a real consequence. "So also" connects the parable directly to the context.
• with this evil generation: (Greek: τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ πονηρᾷ, `tē genea tautē tē ponerā`)
  • this generation: (Greek: τῇ γενεᾷ ταύτῃ, `tē genea tautē`) Refers to the specific generation of Jewish people living at that time, particularly those who rejected Jesus' claims and refused to repent despite seeing His miraculous works. It highlights their culpability.
  • evil: (Greek: τῇ πονηρᾷ, `tē ponerā`) Denotes moral corruption, wickedness, or active malice, characterizing the spiritual state of this generation in opposition to God and His Christ.

Matthew 12 45 Bonus section

This verse underscores that spiritual neutrality is an illusion. A person's inner being is never truly empty; it will be occupied either by God or by darkness. The "worse than the first" condition is not merely a return to a former state but an exacerbation of it, implying a greater spiritual blindness, hardening, and potential for severe judgment. This speaks to the danger of unfulfilled spiritual potential or failed conversions. Witnessing divine power or having a temporary deliverance from sin places a person under greater accountability. If the subsequent step of welcoming Christ's Lordship and receiving the Holy Spirit is neglected, the void creates an attractive and easily re-occupiable space for greater spiritual malevolence. It's a stark reminder that God demands not just cleansing, but filling, and a relationship of continuous indwelling.

Matthew 12 45 Commentary

Matthew 12:45 is a profound warning against superficial spiritual reform. The parable of the unclean spirit reveals that casting out an evil or bad habit without filling the vacuum with good (specifically, God's presence through true repentance and faith in Jesus Christ) leaves a person spiritually vulnerable. The "empty house" is not neutral; it's swept clean but unoccupied, inviting even greater spiritual infestation. The returning spirit doesn't come alone but brings a legion of "seven other spirits more wicked than itself," indicating a complete and overwhelming takeover, making the individual's last state far more terrible than the first.

Jesus applies this parable directly to "this evil generation" — referring primarily to the religious leaders and many within the Jewish population who witnessed His powerful works and teachings but hardened their hearts and refused to accept Him as the Messiah. They might have been outwardly religious, observing Jewish laws and traditions, appearing "swept clean" of pagan idolatry that plagued earlier generations. However, their rejection of Christ, their failure to receive the Spirit of God through faith in Him, left their spiritual house truly empty. Instead of true repentance and transformation, their moral cleansing or religious adherence created a spiritual vacuum, preparing them for an intensified darkness and ultimate judgment, which would be historically witnessed in Jerusalem's destruction. This illustrates that knowing the truth and rejecting it leads to a worse state than never knowing it at all. True salvation is not just deliverance from evil, but an indwelling by Christ and His Holy Spirit.