10-28-2025, 10:05 PM
📖 Matthew 12:32 (KJV)
“And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,
neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
🔹 1. Context: What Was Happening
In Matthew 12:22–32, Jesus had just healed a man who was blind and mute by casting out a demon.
The people were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”—meaning, the Messiah.
But the Pharisees, instead of acknowledging God’s power, accused Jesus of using Satan’s power (Beelzebub) to cast out demons (Matthew 12:24).
This was a serious accusation—they were calling the work of the Holy Spirit the work of the devil.
🔹 2. “Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man...”
This refers to speaking against Jesus in His humanity—doubting Him, misunderstanding Him, or rejecting Him before fully knowing who He is.
For example, Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69–75), yet he was forgiven.
Even the apostle Paul persecuted Christians, but later said:
“I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:13)
So, ignorance and unbelief can be forgiven when a person later repents.
🔹 3. “But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost...”
This is different.
To speak against the Holy Spirit means to know the truth—to see God’s power clearly revealed through His Spirit—yet willfully reject and attribute it to evil.
It’s not a single word or slip of the tongue, but a hard-hearted, deliberate, and ongoing rejection of God’s truth.
Jesus was saying that the Pharisees were in danger because they were seeing the clear evidence of the Spirit through miracles, yet calling it Satanic.
That’s blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
🔹 4. “It shall not be forgiven... neither in this world, nor in the world to come.”
This doesn’t mean there are some sins forgiven in the next life—it means the guilt is eternal.
There is no forgiveness for a heart that permanently rejects the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to salvation (John 16:8–9).
If we keep resisting Him until the end, there’s no other way left to be saved.
🔹 5. Cross References
Mark 3:29 — “He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.”
Hebrews 6:4–6 — speaks of those who have “tasted the heavenly gift” and then deliberately turn away.
John 16:8–9 — The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Acts 7:51 — “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost...”
🔹 6. Summary
🔹 7. Reflection
The sin against the Holy Spirit isn’t a random word or outburst — it’s the final, conscious rejection of God’s mercy.
Anyone who fears having committed it usually hasn’t — because the very conviction and desire to repent come from the Holy Spirit.
“And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him,
neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
🔹 1. Context: What Was Happening
In Matthew 12:22–32, Jesus had just healed a man who was blind and mute by casting out a demon.
The people were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”—meaning, the Messiah.
But the Pharisees, instead of acknowledging God’s power, accused Jesus of using Satan’s power (Beelzebub) to cast out demons (Matthew 12:24).
This was a serious accusation—they were calling the work of the Holy Spirit the work of the devil.
🔹 2. “Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man...”
This refers to speaking against Jesus in His humanity—doubting Him, misunderstanding Him, or rejecting Him before fully knowing who He is.
For example, Peter denied Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69–75), yet he was forgiven.
Even the apostle Paul persecuted Christians, but later said:
“I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:13)
So, ignorance and unbelief can be forgiven when a person later repents.
🔹 3. “But whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost...”
This is different.
To speak against the Holy Spirit means to know the truth—to see God’s power clearly revealed through His Spirit—yet willfully reject and attribute it to evil.
It’s not a single word or slip of the tongue, but a hard-hearted, deliberate, and ongoing rejection of God’s truth.
Jesus was saying that the Pharisees were in danger because they were seeing the clear evidence of the Spirit through miracles, yet calling it Satanic.
That’s blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
🔹 4. “It shall not be forgiven... neither in this world, nor in the world to come.”
This doesn’t mean there are some sins forgiven in the next life—it means the guilt is eternal.
There is no forgiveness for a heart that permanently rejects the Spirit’s testimony about Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is the one who draws us to salvation (John 16:8–9).
If we keep resisting Him until the end, there’s no other way left to be saved.
🔹 5. Cross References
Mark 3:29 — “He that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.”
Hebrews 6:4–6 — speaks of those who have “tasted the heavenly gift” and then deliberately turn away.
John 16:8–9 — The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.
Acts 7:51 — “Ye do always resist the Holy Ghost...”
🔹 6. Summary
Quote:Concept — Meaning
Speaking against the Son of Man — Ignorance or temporary unbelief that can be forgiven
Speaking against the Holy Spirit — Deliberate and final rejection of God’s truth, knowing it’s real
Forgiveness possible? — Yes, for repentance and belief; no, for hardened, permanent rejection
🔹 7. Reflection
The sin against the Holy Spirit isn’t a random word or outburst — it’s the final, conscious rejection of God’s mercy.
Anyone who fears having committed it usually hasn’t — because the very conviction and desire to repent come from the Holy Spirit.