Matthew 12:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Though the statements of Jesus may appear obscure, upon reflection, they can be clearly understood. Let us carefully consider these words: "All sin and blasphemy," He asserts, "are forgiven to men, but blasphemy against the Spirit is not forgiven to men. If anyone speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but if anyone speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the age to come" (Matthew 12:31-32). What do these statements signify? You have uttered many things about me, claiming I am a deceiver and an adversary of God. I will forgive these, provided you repent; however, the blasphemy against the Spirit cannot be forgiven, even to those who seek repentance. How can this be? This sin too has been forgiven in the past; many who once blasphemed against the Spirit later believed, and all was absolved. What, then, do these words convey? That sin against the Holy Spirit is primarily unforgivable. Why? Because they lacked true knowledge of Christ, yet they had ample understanding of the Spirit. Everything that the prophets said was inspired by the Spirit, and in the Old Testament, the understanding of the Spirit was quite clear. Thus, Christ's words imply: "You may challenge me regarding the flesh I wear; but can you claim ignorance of the Spirit? Therefore, your blasphemy shall remain unforgiven, and you shall face repercussions for it." Some receive punishment in this life, like the fornicator who took the sacraments unworthily among the Corinthians, while others suffer both here and in the afterlife. Therefore, I absolve you from the offenses you committed against Me prior to the cross, including your intent to crucify Me, and your disbelief will not be held against you. Those who believed before the cross did not possess complete faith; hence, He consistently instructed not to reveal Himself to anyone until after His suffering, and He prayed on the cross for the Jews' absolution of sin. But what you have said against the Spirit shall remain unforgiven. Christ's reference to the blasphemy uttered by the Jews against Him prior to the cross is evident in the declaration: "if any man speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him; but if any man speak against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him." Why this distinction? Because the Holy Spirit is known to you, and you are unashamed to deny the evident truth. If you claim ignorance of Me, you certainly understand that it is the Holy Spirit's work to cast out demons and perform healings. Thus, you not only revile Me but also the Holy Spirit. Therefore, your punishment is unavoidable, both in this life and the next. Some experience consequences in both realms; others only in one; some neither here nor there; and others experience suffering without punishment, like the Apostles, prophets, and the blessed Job, whose tribulations stemmed not from retribution but from their endeavors and struggles.

And why does Paul warn against self-deception, declaring that neither fornicators, adulterers, nor various other sinners will inherit the kingdom of God? If this is true, we must question why it is claimed that all sin and blasphemy is remitted for mankind.

Moreover, if this assertion is accurate, why does Origen face accusations for teaching that torment will eventually cease and that God’s mercy extends to all sins, even those of demons? If blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is indeed unforgivable, why does the Church chastise Novatus for denying the need for repentance? The perplexing matter remains that while one who speaks against the Son may be forgiven, words spoken against the Spirit are not. This raises the question of whether the Son is deemed lesser than the Spirit and the Father. Why then do we reject the heretical teachings of the Arians, who diminish the Son in comparison to the Spirit? The Son asserts that He and the Father are one, and that not honoring the Son equates to not honoring the Father. He also states that speaking a word against the Son can lead to forgiveness, prompting us to ask whether blasphemy against the Son would be overlooked for the Arians, Simonians, Sabellians, Photinians, and others who oppose the Incarnation. Such notions should be dismissed! If calling one’s brother ‘Fool’ leads to condemnation, what fate awaits someone who diminishes God Himself? If speaking against the Son results in absolution, how does the Son declare that those who do not partake in His body and blood lack eternal life? How can one dishonor the Son without also offending the Holy Trinity? A blasphemer of the Holy Trinity fundamentally denies the sacred act of baptism, and those who reject baptism are distanced from the Holy Spirit.

To dishonor any single aspect of the Trinity affects the entire nature of the divine. What then do the words mean that state every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven to mortals, but that speaking against the Holy Spirit leads to eternal consequences? Let us approach this matter with reason and not deceive ourselves. The Scriptures reveal that Christ exists in a profound unity of divine and human nature, as the Word became flesh. Thus, Christ refers to the divinity of the Word as the Holy Spirit, as He affirmed to the Samaritan woman, God is Spirit, while His human nature is the Son of Man.

The Jews, in their persistent disdain for God, fell into appalling blasphemies against Christ. Many, tempted by His humanity, perceived Him as merely a prophet, labeling Him with insults, and yet He extended forgiveness to them, for the proclamation of His message had just commenced; it was unimaginable for the world to embrace a God who became man. Therefore, Christ states that speaking against the Son of Man, His earthly form, may be forgiven. It is noteworthy that even His most devoted disciples didn’t fully grasp His divine nature until after the Holy Spirit had come upon them at Pentecost. Even following the Resurrection, some worshipped Him, while others doubted, yet they were not condemned. In contrast, those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, accusing Christ’s divinity of being under demonic influence, will not find release either in this age or the next.

It is critical to emphasize that Christ did not say forgiveness is impossible for those who repent, but rather for those who persist in blasphemy. Repentance can lead to the absolution of all sins. Others suggest that the unforgivable blasphemy against the Spirit may take four forms, two of which manifest here and two in the age to come. Recognizing that it is impossible to recall every sin for repentance during one’s life, our compassionate Lord is believed to have prepared means for the unrepentant in the life to come. If one performs good deeds motivated by compassion or love, these will be assessed at the judgment, and if deemed sufficient, forgiveness will be granted. The second method involves someone, burdened by sin and mindful of the command not to judge, not condemning others; thereby, they will not be condemned themselves, as the All-Holy One remembers His commands.

The two other paths of forgiveness occur in this life. When an individual in sin experiences trials and acknowledges them as divine providence, offering thanks during their affliction, they may receive a reward. Conversely, failure to express gratitude while enduring consequences for one's transgressions leads to condemnation for both the sin and the lack of appreciation. Thus, anyone who sins against others has numerous opportunities for forgiveness, as offenses against one are balanced by acts of goodness towards another. However, blaspheming against the Spirit constitutes a denial of faith, offering no alternative route to forgiveness but through a return to belief. This sin of irreverence and disbelief remains unforgiven in this life or in the age yet to come.

Those who have attained a profound understanding of the Spirit suggest that there are four avenues through which forgiveness of sins can occur—two in this life and two in the life beyond. Given that a person cannot possibly remember every sin throughout their life and repent from all, our compassionate Lord has established means of repentance, even for those who do not actively seek it. In the life to come, as previously mentioned, two paths exist: if an individual has sinned unknowingly in this life yet performed good deeds out of kindness or compassion toward others, those acts will be evaluated at the time of Judgment and can lead to forgiveness. This is the first path. The second path occurs when an individual, despite being burdened with sins, resonates with the Lord’s words, “Do not judge, lest you be judged” (Matthew 7:1), and refrains from condemning others. In that moment of testing, as one who upholds the commandments, he will not face condemnation, because the Faithful One remembers His commandments.

The other two paths leading to forgiveness occur in this life. If someone, while ensnared in sin, faces calamities, hardships, or ailments ordained by Divine Providence—means by which God refines them in ways unknown to us—and if that individual expresses gratitude to the Lord during their trials, they will receive recognition for their thanksgiving. Conversely, if they fail to offer thanks, they may be cleansed from the sins for which they are punished, yet they will bear the consequences of their ingratitude. Thus, if anyone sins against fellow humans, as the Word teaches, there are numerous opportunities for forgiveness. When one person transgresses against another but also does good to someone else, they are deemed justified toward the same nature against which they have sinned. However, blaspheming against the Spirit—defined as a denial of faith—has no possibility for forgiveness except through becoming a believer. Consequently, the sin of disbelief and irreverence will not be absolved, whether in this life or in the age to come.

For instance, if someone witnesses a Christian brother performing miracles or exhibiting gifts from the Holy Spirit—such as a contrite heart, tears, humility, or divine insight—and declares that these manifestations are the result of demonic influence, they are committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Likewise, when one asserts that those inspired by the Divine Spirit, acting as children of God and obedient to His commands, are under the sway of the devil, this also defames the Holy Spirit that is active within them. This mirrors the blasphemy of the Jews, who accused the Son of God of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons.

Furthermore, there are those who, despite witnessing the actions of the Holy Spirit and the testimony of Scripture, refuse to understand and acknowledge them, dismissing the divine workings as mere intoxication or demonic acts. These individuals, lacking faith and knowledge of divine truths, upon hearing of spiritual enlightenment, contemplation, or the gifts of humility and tears bestowed by the Holy Spirit, quickly misinterpret these profound experiences as illusions of evil spirits. They seem blind to the brilliance and power of such truths and boldly insist that nothing of this nature can emanate from God in the lives of the faithful today. This mindset represents an egregious form of impiety, even more severe than heresy.

Arian, Macedonian, Savatian, Novatian, and those who designate themselves as pure, along with the Quadrilateralists, or Tetradites, and Apollinarians, when they deliver manuscripts and renounce every heresy contrary to holy wisdom, as recognized by the holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of God, we receive, sealing them with holy chrism first on the forehead, then on the eyes, the nostrils, the mouth, and the ears, declaring: the seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Can you see how we categorize those coming from the Latins? If all the aforementioned groups in the canon are classified as heretics, it follows that the Latins must be considered the same.

These statements were made by the Lord following the healing of the man who was deaf and mute, during which the hand of God was clearly evident. Those who claimed, "He casts out Beelzebub" (Matthew 12:24), commit this blasphemy without remorse.

This act was not merely a despicable slander against Jesus Christ; it represented a tenacious rebellion and a malevolent affront to the Holy Spirit. It embodied extreme disbelief and hardness of heart, made all the more culpable by its origin in the vile nature of the devil, utterly contravening their conscience. The Lord's adversaries were initially oblivious to the extent of the wickedness into which their malice and envy were propelling them. The compassionate Lord, revealing the folly and falsehood of their accusations, exposed to them the infernal pit they were recklessly approaching.

"He said to them, between Me and Satan, there exists no commonality; the good works I perform and the insatiable evil desired by Satan are irreconcilable." He further declared that anyone who comprehends the divine truth yet remains indifferent to it, or who chooses not to serve it—even without direct opposition—stands as My enemy, whom I disavow before heaven and earth. "Whoever is not with Me is against Me; and whoever does not gather with Me, scatters those whom I have drawn to faith."

Thus, those who openly contest God’s truth are even more adversarial. Therefore, I urge you to awaken to your senses and cease blaspheming against the Holy Spirit. You have made numerous accusations against Me, labeling Me a deceiver and an adversary of God; yet I assure you that if you repent, I will forgive you, sparing you from punishment. Every sin and blasphemy may be absolved, for God is prepared to pardon even the gravest sins of those who repent. However, the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven because you are aware of His presence; the prophets have spoken through Him, yet you shamelessly deny the evident truth. For if you claim ignorance of Me, you must acknowledge that it is the Holy Spirit who casts out demons and heals. Therefore, your reproach is not solely against Me, but also against the Holy Spirit.

I forgive you for all the evil you have spoken against Me before the crucifixion, even for your desire to see Me crucified. On the cross itself, I will intercede for you so that your unbelief may not be held against you. Yet the slander you direct towards the Spirit will remain unforgiven.

They openly challenged the Spirit to such an extent that they attributed His visible works to an evil spirit, identifying it as Satan or Beelzebub. Thus, their blasphemy against the Spirit signifies not only a rejection of the unmistakable manifestations of the Holy Spirit but also a willful affront against the Spirit, whereby His works are dismissed as demonic. This reflects a profound unbelief and a hardened heart. This sin will not be forgiven because the moral condition that permits such a grievous sin means that an individual loses the moral capacity to recognize the actions of the Holy Spirit; this condition is akin to that of unrepentant demons.