Matthew 12:36

36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

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 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

35 The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”