Matt. 12:22-37; Mark 3:19-30; Luke 11:14-15, 17-23
INTRODUCTION. This story involves a discussion between Jesus and the Phari- sees regarding blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. The controversy followed Jesus' healing of a man brought to him who was blind and mute (dumb, unable to speak), and possessed with a demon.
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is not some mysterious idea or precept that can- not be understood. On the contrary, with a step by step study of the passage, a proper conclusion can be reached.
Jesus healed a man possessed by a devil (demon), and the Pharisees accused him of casting out the demon by the power of Satan (Matt. 12:22-24). Jesus answered his accusers with four arguments (Matt. 12:25-29). He then discussed blasphemy and sin (Matt. 12:30-32), and concluded with a pronouncement of judgment against the Pharisees (Matt. 12:33-37).
A. THE MIRACLE AND ACCUSATION (Matt. 12:22-24) 1. What three problems did the man have?
2. When Jesus healed the man, what was the man able to do?
3. What question did the multitude ask?
4. The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out the demon by the power of whom?
B. JESUS' ANSWER (Matt. 12:25-29) 1. The First Argument (vs. 25-26)
a. What happens to a kingdom, city or house divided against itself?
b. Therefore if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself and what happens to his kingdom?
Note. A kingdom, city or house that is divided cannot stand–it will be de- stroyed. If Jesus by the power of Satan cast out demons who received their power from Satan, then Satan cast out Satan and his kingdom will be de- stroyed.
2. The Second Argument (vs. 27)
a. Jesus asked the Pharisees if He cast out demons by the power of
Satan (Beelzebub), then by whom did their ____________ cast them out?
b. Therefore they (the sons) shall be your _______________.
Note. If Jesus cast out demons by the power of Satan, then the disciples or followers (sons) of the Pharisees, who pretended or claimed to cast out de- mons, also cast them out by Satan. Therefore the Pharisees' own disciples would judge (condemn) them and their false reasoning.
3. The Third Argument (vs. 28)
Jesus said, If I cast out demons by the _____________ of ______________, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Note. Jesus argued that since He did not cast out demons by the power of Satan, He therefore cast out by the power of the Spirit of God. This action demonstrated that He was the one to bring the kingdom of God to them.
4. The Fourth Argument (vs. 29)
Jesus said in order for one to enter a strong man's house and spoil (rob) his goods, he must first _______________ the strong man.
Note. The strong man is Satan. Jesus had entered his house or dwelling and robbed him of his property, the evil spirit within the man. To do this He had to overpower Satan.
C. BLASPHEMY AND SIN (Matt. 12:30-32)
1. He that is not with me is ____________________ me; and he that ____________________ not with me ___________________ abroad.
2. All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the ________________________ shall not be forgiven unto men.
3. Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him:
but whosoever speaketh against the _________________, it shall not be __________________ him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
Note. In the spiritual conflict between Jesus and Satan, there are only two sides.
Every individual is either for Jesus or for Satan–one gathers (such as sheep) for Jesus, and the other scatters for Satan.
Blasphemy is speaking against–speaking evil against. The Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out the demon by the power of Satan. Jesus stated He had cast out the demon by the Spirit of God. The Pharisees had witnessed a marvelous miracle, but because of their hatred for Jesus they attributed the miracle to Satan rather than to Divine power.
The Spirit speaks to us through the word of God. When an individual's heart is so evil that he blasphemes the testimony of the Holy Spirit and rejects that testi- mony, then God's saving grace and forgiveness cannot reach him.
D. PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT (Matt. 12:33-37)
1. Jesus told the Pharisees to either make the tree ______________, and
its fruit _______________; or make the tree ________________, and its fruit _______________: for the tree is known by its fruit.
2. Jesus then called the Pharisees a generation of vipers. He said they were evil, for out of the abundance of the ___________________ the
____________________ speaketh.
3. The good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth __________
things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth _________ things.
4. Jesus concluded by saying men shall give account of their words in the day of judgment, for by thy words thou shalt be ____________________, and by thy words thou shalt be _________________________.
Note. A tree is known by its fruit. If the fruit is good, the tree is good and of an excellent variety. If the fruit is bad, the tree is worthless and of a poor variety.
Jesus compared himself to a tree and told the Pharisees to make the tree (Je- sus) and its fruit (his works) the same–either both were good or both were evil.
The mouth speaks as it is directed by the heart and mind. In the day of judgment we shall be judged by our words which indicate whether our character is good or evil.