Devine Scripture

Matthew 12:43

What does Matthew 12:43 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 12:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 12:43 means

Jesus speaks about an unclean spirit that, when expelled, roams waterless places seeking rest but finds none. The image illustrates spiritual vacancy after deliverance unless filled by something better. It warns that mere removal of evil is inadequate: without filling the void with God’s life, emptiness invites worse evil. The verse teaches the necessity of genuine conversion—cleansing must be followed by repentance and filling with God’s Spirit to secure lasting change.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of a man, goes through dry places looking for rest, and getting it not.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And, when the unclean spirit may go forth from the man, it doth walk through dry places seeking rest, and doth not find;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when an unclean spirit is gone out of a man he walketh through dry places seeking rest, and findeth none.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But when the unclean spirit has gone out of the man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and does not find [it].

Context

This teaching follows the rebuke of unresponsive generation. It uses an image of spiritual relapse to explain how superficial responses to Jesus’ work can lead to worse outcomes. The next verses complete the analogy by showing how the unclean spirit returns with companions, making the person’s final state worse.

v.42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

v.43This passage

v.44Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Cross references

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

  • Job 2:2

    And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

  • Acts 8:13

    And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

  • Mark 5:7

    and crying out with a loud voice, he saith, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the Most High God? I adjure thee by God, torment me not.

  • Isaiah 41:18

    I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

  • Amos 8:11

    Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah.

  • Job 1:7

    And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

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