Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:37

What does Matthew 12:37 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:37 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:37 means

Jesus states that by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. This makes speech a decisive indicator of moral standing: it can confirm repentance and righteousness or expose hypocrisy and sin. The claim does not reduce salvation to words alone, but highlights that true conversion produces life-changing speech consistent with faith. The verse calls listeners to integrity: let your speech bear witness to the reality of your heart before God’s final judgment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For by your words will your righteousness be seen, and by your words you will be judged.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for from thy words thou shalt be declared righteous, and from thy words thou shalt be declared unrighteous.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Context

This verse concludes the section on heart and speech, following the warning about idle words. It ties present conduct to future judgment and reinforces that authentic faith produces consistent speech. What follows next is a new confrontation: scribes and Pharisees ask for a sign, prompting Jesus’ rebuke of that seeking generation.

v.36And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

v.37This passage

v.38Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • James 2:21

    Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar?

  • Proverbs 13:3

    He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; Buthe that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

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