The Unpardonable Sin

Satan is attempting to build a kingdom. “Satan extends his kingdom by sowing chaos and enslaving humans, not by setting them free” (Arnold, Mark, 26). It is ridiculous to suggest that Jesus was fighting for Satan by releasing his captives. To not see this reveals intentional spiritual blindness: “My mind is made up! Don’t confuse me with the facts!”

Jesus then changes the analogy. He says, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” Pick your context—marriage, family, business, sports, church—the truth remains: a division in the ranks will cause78 the institution to fail, destroying itself. Jesus states things so explicitly in verse 26: “If Satan rebels against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but is finished!”

Jesus gives a parable. Satan is the “strong man,” and Jesus is the One breaking into his house, his realm, to bind and plunder. Satan is indeed a strong man in this world. His house is a house of horrors, filled with sin, sickness, death, demon possession, and all that is evil and wicked. His possessions are human beings, enslaved by all these evils. Demons are his agents who delight in carrying out his diabolical agenda. No one but Jesus can invade his realm and carry away his possessions. No one but Jesus is more powerful than this strongman.

Jesus’ point is that He has come, and He can and will bind Satan. This is what Jesus is doing and will do climactically at the cross. It is self-evident and indisputable that the Son of God has come to destroy the works of the Devil (cf. 1 John 3:8). In denying this truth, the scribes reveal their intentional spiritual blindness.

Mark 3:28-30

Jesus now begins to conclude the matter by saying, “I assure you,” literally “amen.” This word is found only in the Gospels. In every case the word is said by Jesus. It is a serious and solemn affirmation. In using it, Jesus attests His words are completely true and reliable because He is uniquely the true witness of God. Put this in the mouth of any other person, and it is completely out of place. With Jesus there is a perfect fit.

Jesus declares the gracious forgiveness and mercy of God in forgiving sins. “All sins,” literally, “whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme,” will be forgiven. All sinners can find the forgiveness of God if they will come to Him in repentance and faith. However, verses 29-30 note the one tragic and fearful exception. If someone speaks against the Holy Spirit verbally and continually, with willful and malicious intent that reveals a hardened heart beyond the possibility of repentance, there is no forgiveness, and they are “guilty of an eternal sin.”

I cannot improve on the insights at this point of New Testament scholar William Lane:

The unpardonable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently attribute to Satan the works of God done by and in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to these truths in your heart. (1) It is a sin of full knowledge. (2) It is an ongoing disposition of the heart that resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (3) It is a verbal act that attributes the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. (4) It is a willful rejection of God’s grace in Jesus. (5) It is rooted in unbelief. (6) It is a sin a Christian cannot commit. (7) It is a sin not committed by one who is concerned that he may have committed it.

Despite this last point this unpardonable offense should still awaken all of us to the seriousness of all sin committed against a holy and righteous God, who never winks at sin. It is a sin that should lead all of us to confess with Jesus in 9:42-43,

There is a boundary of sin where, once passed, there is no possibility or hope of return. Do not even think of going there. Instead, run to Jesus in faith and repentance. You will find open arms there! You will find forgiveness free and eternal. Today, do not delay: run from any and all sin and, instead, run to Jesus!