Understanding the Gospels: The "Unpardonable Sin"

In Matthew 12:31-32 (and Mark 3:29) Jesus says that anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man (that is, Jesus himself) would be forgiven, but "the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit" will not be forgiven, either in this age or the age to come. This statement understandably troubles many people. Does it contradict the ability of God to forgive all our sins? Does it mean that there are people who, no matter how repentant they are, will never be able to get into heaven? Does it threaten the salvation of Christians who spoke badly about the Holy Spirit before conversion?

The key to understanding Jesus' statement is to look at the context in which it occurs. Jesus has just healed a man with a shriveled hand (called a 'creative miracle,' since it most likely involved not only the repair of existing body parts but the partial or entire creation of new ones) on the Sabbath, and cast out a demon that had been causing deafness and muteness in another man. The Pharisees, jealous of Jesus' growing influence and objecting to some of his teaching, denounced him before the crowd for these acts, saying it was by the power of Beelzebub ("Lord of Flies"), the prince of demons, that Jesus could cast out lesser demons.

In reality Jesus' creative power and authority over demons came through the Spirit of God, and authenticated his divinity and Messiahship. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their unbelief and ungodly influence on the crowds of followers. In response to his miracles, the people had begun to ask among themselves whether Jesus could be the Son of David, that is, the Messiah (v. 23). The Pharisees shut down this blossoming faith by attributing Jesus' powers to the devil instead (v. 24).

After Jesus demonstrates the illogic and inconsistency of their accusation (vv. 25-29) he tells them clearly, "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters." (v. 38, NASB) In refusing to acknowledge the divine source of Jesus' power, the religious leaders were taking an active stand against the work of God.