Matthew 12:45
What does Matthew 12:45 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 12:45 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 12:45 means
When the spirit returns, it brings seven more evil spirits worse than itself, entering and making the final condition worse than the first. Jesus applies this as a warning about an unresponsive, hardened generation: superficial repentance or empty religion can lead to deeper bondage if not replaced by the Spirit. The verse stresses the necessity of authentic, Spirit-filled transformation rather than mere external reform, and warns that moral laxity can worsen without genuine conversion.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits worse than himself, and they go in and make it their living-place: and the last condition of that man is worse than the first. Even so will it be with this evil generation.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862then doth it go, and take with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man doth become worse than the first; so shall it be also to this evil generation.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits worse than himself, and entering in, they dwell there; and the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. Thus shall it be to this wicked generation also.
Context
This completes the unclean spirit analogy following verses 43–44. Placed after indictments about refusal to repent, it serves as a prophetic warning: a generation that refuses true conversion risks a worse fate. The teaching transitions into a new episode where Jesus’ family seeks him, prompting his redefinition of spiritual kinship.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 6:12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Luke 11:26
Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first.
- Matthew 21:38
But the husbandmen, when they saw the son, said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and take his inheritance.
- 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,
- Luke 19:41
And when he drew nigh, he saw the city and wept over it,
- Matthew 12:24
But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This man doth not cast out demons, but by Beelzebub the prince of the demons.
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