Matthew 12:32
What does Matthew 12:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 12:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 12:32 means
Jesus explains that speaking against the Son of man may be forgiven, but speaking against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven in this world or the next. He clarifies that blasphemy of Jesus (perhaps spoken in ignorance) can be pardoned, but deliberate denial of the Spirit’s work—who testifies to Jesus—is uniquely damning. The eternal language heightens the warning: attributing God’s gracious acts to Satan is the grave sin that shows a closed heart persistently resisting God’s truth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And whoever says a word against the Son of man, will have forgiveness; but whoever says a word against the Holy Spirit, will not have forgiveness in this life or in that which is to come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And whoever may speak a word against the Son of Man it shall be forgiven to him, but whoever may speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is coming.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him neither in this world, nor in the world to come.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And whosoever shall have spoken a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but whosoever shall speak against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the coming [one].
Context
This follows verse 31 and refines the distinction between insults against Jesus and the unforgivable sin. The Pharisees had attributed Jesus’ Spirit-empowered deeds to Beelzebub; Jesus warns that such persistent, willful misattribution jeopardizes forgiveness. The argument leads into teaching about inner character and speech.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 7:39
But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believed on him were to receive: for the Spirit was not yet given; because Jesus was not yet glorified.
- Hebrews 6:4
For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
- Ephesians 1:21
far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
- 1 Timothy 1:13
though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief;
- Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins,
- Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his garments among them, they cast lots.
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