Matthew 12:31-33
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
31 (A)Therefore, I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit[a] will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
A Tree and Its Fruits. 33 (B)“Either declare[b] the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit.
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- 12:31 Blasphemy against the Spirit: the sin of attributing to Satan (Mt 12:24) what is the work of the Spirit of God (Mt 12:28).
- 12:33 Declare: literally, “make.” The meaning of this verse is obscure. Possibly it is a challenge to the Pharisees either to declare Jesus and his exorcisms good or both of them bad. A tree is known by its fruit; if the fruit is good, so must the tree be. If the driving out of demons is good, so must its source be.
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