Matthew 12:36

36 But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account 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 nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts.

35 A good man says good things. These come from the good that is put away inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is put away inside him.

36 But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken.

37 By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty."

38 Some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came to Jesus. They said, "Teacher, we want to see a miraculous sign from you."