Matthew 12:35
What does Matthew 12:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 12:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 12:35 means
Jesus explains that the good man brings good things from his good treasure, while the evil man brings evil from his evil treasure. He reiterates that words and actions spring from stored-up dispositions—character formed over time. The ’treasure’ metaphor suggests the internal store of motives, knowledge, and affection shaping outward behavior. The verse calls for cultivating a good inner life so that good fruit naturally follows, rather than merely attempting outward reformation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
KJV
King James Version · 1611A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949The good man out of his good store gives good things; and the evil man out of his evil store gives evil things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The good man out of the good treasure of the heart doth put forth the good things, and the evil man out of the evil treasure doth put forth evil things.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752A good man out of a good treasure bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of an evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The good man out of the good treasure brings forth good things; and the wicked man out of the wicked treasure brings forth wicked things.
Context
This follows verse 34 and continues the theme of heart and speech. It grounds moral speech in character formation and contrasts genuine goodness with hypocrisy. The teaching prepares for a harder saying about accountability for words in the day of judgment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 12:17
He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear.
- Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the righteous isaschoice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.
- Psalms 37:30
The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.
- Proverbs 15:23
A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
- Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
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