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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 12:33 - 12:37
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_12:33-37
33"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. 36But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
Mat_12:33 "for the tree is known by its fruit" What one does, like what one says, reveals the true self. See note at Mat_7:16.
Mat_12:34 "You brood of vipers" Jesus used His harshest language for the religious leaders of His day. In this regard He followed the preaching of John the Baptist (cf. Mat_3:7). The Serpent of Genesis 3 could be the original source of this metaphor (cf. Rev_12:9; Rev_20:2).
▣ "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart" It is not what goes into a person, but what comes out, that defiles (cf. Mar_7:17-23). Humans reveal themselves by what they say. Speech is part of the image of God. Speech reveals the heart (cf. Matt. Mat_7:11; Mat_7:20; Luk_6:44; Jas_3:12). See hyperlink at Mat_15:19.
Mat_12:35 The "treasure" refers to a person's inner self (cf. Luk_6:45).
Mat_12:36 "they shall give an account for it in the day of judgment" Jesus repeatedly spoke about judgment and its eternal consequences (cf. Matthew 7; Matthew 25). This relates to those who have rejected Jesus. Their lives, priorities, and words reflect their spiritual choices (cf. Mat_12:37).
Mat_12:37 See hyperlink at Mat_15:19.