I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "careless" doesn't just mean unintentional; it describes words that are morally useless and don't do any good. Jesus is pointing out that even seemingly insignificant, unproductive talk has weight and will be brought into account. It's a powerful reminder that our words, whether wicked or simply empty, reveal the true state of our hearts.
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just condemned the Pharisees for attributing his miraculous works to demonic power, declaring their words utterly unforgivable because they twisted the good into evil. Now, he issues a stark warning: every single "idle" or useless word spoken, not just the malicious ones, will be brought into account on the final day of judgment, revealing the true character of the speaker. This declaration underscores the profound seriousness of speech, not just as communication, but as a powerful indicator of one's inner life and eternal destiny.
What does Jesus mean by 'idle' words? Is it just slang, or something deeper?
Jesus uses the Greek word 'argos' here, which literally means 'not working' or 'unproductive.' It describes words that are morally useless, unprofitable, and accomplish no good. This isn't just about obvious lies or malicious gossip, but also about light, vain, or trifling expressions. Think of words that waste time, spread negativity, or simply achieve nothing for God's glory or the good of others. Even seemingly harmless chatter can be held accountable if it's unproductive.
Jesus connects our words to our inner lives. How do our words reveal what's truly going on inside us?
Jesus is highlighting that our words aren't random occurrences; they are the natural outflow of our inner disposition. The 'idle' words we speak, whether malicious, vain, or simply useless, expose the condition of our hearts. If our speech is consistently unproductive or harmful, it points to a deeper issue that will be brought to light on judgment day. Our words serve as a crucial piece of evidence for the state of our souls.
Understand the original words
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krisis · Greek Noun
A future time appointed by God when He will assess and judge the actions, thoughts, and words of all humanity, resulting in either reward or punishment based on their relationship with Him.
argos · Greek Adjective
A word or speech that is idle, unprofitable, or thoughtless, indicating a lack of seriousness or moral weight in one's communication.
This passage directly states the power of the tongue, echoing Jesus' warning about the significant consequences of our words, suggesting they can bring about life or death.
James 1:26James speaks about controlling the tongue as a sign of true devotion, reinforcing the idea that careless or unbridled speech is a serious spiritual issue that God notices.
Ecclesiastes 10:12Similar to Jesus' warning, this verse highlights the wisdom found in spoken words and the folly of using one's speech carelessly or destructively.
Romans 14:12Paul's teaching about giving an account to God for our actions extends to our words, underscoring that every part of our lives, including our speech, will be evaluated.
barnesMatthew 12:36: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
But I say unto you ... - Christ closes this address to his malignant and wicked hearers by a solemn declaration that for these things God would bring them into judgment. Therefore. They who had spoken so malignantly against him, could not escape. Idle word - This literally means a vain, thoughtless, useless word; a word that accomplishes no good. Here it means,…
vincentMatthew 12:36: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Idle (ἀργὸν)A good rendering. The word is compounded of ἀ, not, and ἔργον, work. An idle word is a non-working word; an inoperative word. It has no legitimate work, no office, no business, but is morally useless and unprofitable.
The word "careless" doesn't just mean unintentional; it describes words that are morally useless and don't do any good. Jesus is pointing out that even seemingly insignificant, unproductive talk has weight and will be brought into account. It's a powerful reminder that our words, whether wicked or simply empty, reveal the true state of our hearts.
Jesus has just condemned the Pharisees for attributing his miraculous works to demonic power, declaring their words utterly unforgivable because they twisted the good into evil. Now, he issues a stark warning: every single "idle" or useless word spoken, not just the malicious ones, will be brought into account on the final day of judgment, revealing the true character of the speaker. This declaration underscores the profound seriousness of speech, not just as communication, but as a powerful indicator of one's inner life and eternal destiny.
Jesus has just condemned the Pharisees for attributing his miraculous works to demonic power, declaring their words utterly unforgivable because they twisted the good into evil. Now, he issues a stark warning: every single "idle" or useless word spoken, not just the malicious ones, will be brought into account on the final day of judgment, revealing the true character of the speaker. This declaration underscores the profound seriousness of speech, not just as communication, but as a powerful indicator of one's inner life and eternal destiny.
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak," — The word "careless" doesn't just mean unintentional; it describes words that are morally useless and don't do any good. Jesus is pointing out that even seemingly insignificant, unproductive talk has…
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Last reviewed October 2026