Matthew 12:36

36 But I say vnto you that of every ydell worde that men shall have spoken: they shall geve acountes at the daye of iudgement.

Matthew 12:36 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 12:36

But I say unto you
This form of speaking is used, the more strongly to asseverate the truth of what is after said; and the rather, because men are apt to indulge a liberty with their tongues; fancying no great crime is committed, when only words are spoken, and no facts done;

that every idle word that a man shall speak, they shall give account
thereof in the day of judgment.
By an "idle word" is meant, what the Jews call, (hlq hxyv) , "light conversation", and (ljb rbd) , "vain discourse", as the Hebrew Gospel of Munster reads it here; frothy language, unprofitable talk, which, though it does not directly hurt God or man, yet is of no use to speaker or hearer; and yet even this, in the last general and awful judgment, if not forgiven, and repented of, must be accounted for; and much more such horrid blasphemies the Pharisees had vented against Christ, and the Spirit of Christ. The Jews ^F4 have a saying pretty much like this,

``That even (hlq hxyv le) , "for any light conversation", which passes between a man and his wife, he shall "be brought to judgment".''

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 R. Jonah apud L. Capell. in loc.

Matthew 12:36 In-Context

34 O generacio of viperes how can ye saye well whe ye youre selves are evyll? For of ye aboundace of the hert ye mouthe speaketh.

35 A good ma oute of ye good treasure of his hert bringeth forth good thynges. And an evyll man out of his evyll treasure bringeth forth evyll thinges.

36 But I say vnto you that of every ydell worde that men shall have spoken: they shall geve acountes at the daye of iudgement.

37 For by thy wordes thou shalt be iustifyed: and by thy wordes thou shalt be condemned.

38 Then answered certeyne of the scribes and of the Pharises sayinge: Master we wolde fayne se a sygne of ye.