Matthew 12:36-37
I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just about avoiding outright lies or malicious gossip; Jesus highlights "idle" words, meaning words that are morally useless and unproductive. Even seemingly harmless, thoughtless chatter will be brought into account, revealing the true state of our hearts and how we've used our God-given ability to speak.
Jesus has just rebuked the Pharisees for attributing his miraculous healing of a blind and mute man to demonic power. This verse serves as a solemn warning that their malicious words, and indeed all careless or useless talk, will be held accountable before God on the day of judgment. He emphasizes that words reveal the heart's true state and will be used to either justify or condemn individuals.
We might think 'idle' words are harmless, just empty chatter. But Jesus calls them something far more serious. What does 'idle' really mean here?
Jesus uses the word "idle" (in the original Greek, argos) to describe words that are morally useless and unprofitable. It's not just about words that are outright evil, but also words that accomplish no good, words that are "non-working." Think of it as wasted potential for your speech. While the context here is about the Pharisees' malicious words against Jesus, the principle extends beyond just harmful speech. It encompasses all talk that doesn't build up, instruct, or bring glory to God.
Judgment Day. It sounds distant, but Jesus says our words, even the seemingly small ones, will be part of that final review.
Jesus isn't just talking about giving an account for our major sins; He's specifically highlighting our words in the context of the final judgment. The phrase 'give account' means to render a reckoning, to pay the penalty. This isn't just about being found guilty or innocent based on your deeds, but also on the evidence of your words, which reveal the heart's disposition. Our speech is seen as a natural outflow of our inner being, making it a key indicator of our true character before God.
Understand the original words
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.
dikaioō · Greek Verb
To be declared righteous or vindicated by God; in a legal or covenantal sense, it is the judicial act where God clears a person of guilt, primarily through faith in Christ.
katadikazō · Greek Verb
To be declared guilty or deserving of punishment; a legal verdict that assigns accountability and penalty for wrongdoing.
This proverb directly states that the one who restrains his words shows knowledge and prudence, highlighting the importance of thoughtful speech that this passage also emphasizes.
James 1:26James warns that if we don't control our tongue, our worship is useless, echoing Jesus' point that careless words have serious consequences and reveal our inner state.
Ecclesiastes 5:3This verse cautions against being rash with your mouth and making vows to God, underscoring the idea that words carry weight and require accountability, especially in relation to the divine.
Matthew 12:37This verse immediately follows Matthew 12:36 and clarifies the principle, stating that by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned, directly linking speech to judgment.
Colossians 4:6Paul advises that our speech should always be gracious and seasoned with salt, offering a positive counterpart to Jesus' warning about 'idle' words by showing what profitable speech looks like.
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.
This isn't just about avoiding outright lies or malicious gossip; Jesus highlights "idle" words, meaning words that are morally useless and unproductive. Even seemingly harmless, thoughtless chatter will be brought into account, revealing the true state of our hearts and how we've used our God-given ability to speak.
Jesus has just rebuked the Pharisees for attributing his miraculous healing of a blind and mute man to demonic power. This verse serves as a solemn warning that their malicious words, and indeed all careless or useless talk, will be held accountable before God on the day of judgment. He emphasizes that words reveal the heart's true state and will be used to either justify or condemn individuals.
Jesus has just rebuked the Pharisees for attributing his miraculous healing of a blind and mute man to demonic power. This verse serves as a solemn warning that their malicious words, and indeed all careless or useless talk, will be held accountable before God on the day of judgment. He emphasizes that words reveal the heart's true state and will be used to either justify or condemn individuals.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 12:36-37 is available in the Sola app.
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”" — This isn't just about avoiding outright lies or malicious gossip; Jesus highlights "idle" words, meaning words that are morally useless and unproductive. Even seemingly harmless, thoughtless chatter…
