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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/12-36.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/40_Mat_12_36.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 12:36 - Good and Bad Fruit" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/12-35.htm" title="Matthew 12:35">◄</a> Matthew 12:36 <a href="/matthew/12-37.htm" title="Matthew 12:37">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/12.htm">New International Version</a> But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. <a href="/nlt/matthew/12.htm">New Living Translation</a> And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. <a href="/esv/matthew/12.htm">English Standard Version</a> I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, <a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I say to you that every careless word that they will speak, men will give an account of it in day of judgment. <a href="/kjv/matthew/12.htm">King James Bible</a> But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/12.htm">New King James Version</a> But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But I tell you that for every careless word that people speak, they will give an account of it on the day of judgment. <a href="/nasb/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. <a href="/lsb/matthew/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. <a href="/amp/matthew/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak. <a href="/csb/matthew/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. <a href="/asv/matthew/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. <a href="/cev/matthew/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> I promise you on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. <a href="/erv/matthew/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. <a href="/gwt/matthew/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say. <a href="/gnt/matthew/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> "You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account of every useless word you have ever spoken. <a href="/isv/matthew/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> I tell you, on Judgment Day people will give an account for every thoughtless word they have uttered, <a href="/msb/matthew/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. <a href="/net/matthew/12.htm">NET Bible</a> I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. <a href="/nheb/matthew/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. <a href="/wbt/matthew/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But I say to you, That for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment. <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. <a href="/web/matthew/12.htm">World English Bible</a> I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And I say to you that every idle word that men may speak, they will give for it a reckoning in [the] day of judgment; <a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> And I say to you that every careless word that they will speak, men will give an account of it in day of judgment. <a href="/ylt/matthew/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'And I say to you, that every idle word that men may speak, they shall give for it a reckoning in a day of judgment; <a href="/slt/matthew/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And I say to you, That every idle word which men speak, they shill return word for it in the day of judgment.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But I say to you, that for every idle word which men will have spoken, they shall render an account in the day of judgment. <a href="/nabre/matthew/12.htm">New American Bible</a> I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For I say to you, that for every foolish word which men speak, they will have to answer for it on the day of judgment. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For I say to you that every idle word that people will speak, they will give an answer for it in the Day of Judgment.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But I say to you, That for every idle word which men speak, they shall give account in the day of judgment. <a href="/godbey/matthew/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>And I say unto you, that every idle word whatsoever men shall speak, they shall give an account concerning the same in the day of judgment.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But I tell you, That every idle word which men speak, for it shall they give an account in the day of judgment. <a href="/mace/matthew/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but I declare unto you, that men shall give an account at the day of judgment, of every scandalous expression they utter. <a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgement. <a href="/worrell/matthew/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>And I say to you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account concerning it in the day of judgment;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>but I tell you, that of every idle word, which men shall speak, they shall give an account in the day of judgement; for by thy words thou shalt be justified,<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/12-36.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3303" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Good and Bad Fruit</a> …35The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. 36<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">that</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpoi (N-NMP) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">men</a> <a href="/greek/591.htm" title="591: apodōsousin (V-FIA-3P) -- From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc.">will give</a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logon (N-AMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">an account</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">on</a> <a href="/greek/2250.htm" title="2250: hēmera (N-DFS) -- A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. ">the day</a> <a href="/greek/2920.htm" title="2920: kriseōs (N-GFS) -- Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice.">of judgment</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pan (Adj-ANS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">every</a> <a href="/greek/692.htm" title="692: argon (Adj-ANS) -- Idle, lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious. (by implication) lazy, useless.">careless</a> <a href="/greek/4487.htm" title="4487: rhēma (N-ANS) -- From rheo; an utterance,; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.">word</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: ho (RelPro-ANS) -- Who, which, what, that. "></a> <a href="/greek/2980.htm" title="2980: lalēsousin (V-FIA-3P) -- A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.">they have spoken.</a> 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a> In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a> Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. <a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a> Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen. <a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a> But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a> When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. <a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a> If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. <a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2</a> Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. <a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Proverbs 15:2</a> The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly. <a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a> The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. <a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a> He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. <a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a> So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. <a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a> For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. <a href="/psalms/141-3.htm">Psalm 141:3</a> Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a> Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. <a href="/ephesians/5-4.htm">Ephesians 5:4</a> Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But I say to you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.every.<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a> For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.<a href="/romans/2-16.htm">Romans 2:16</a> In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.<a href="/ephesians/6-4.htm">Ephesians 6:4-6</a> And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord… idle word.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/11-6.htm">Account</a> <a href="/daniel/6-2.htm">Accountable</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-7.htm">Accounting</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-9.htm">Careless</a> <a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/matthew/12-14.htm">Held</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-17.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/matthew/11-24.htm">Judgement</a> <a href="/matthew/12-20.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/matthew/11-24.htm">Judgment-Day</a> <a href="/hosea/9-7.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/matthew/6-18.htm">Render</a> <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/7-27.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/matthew/10-27.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">Account</a> <a href="/romans/3-19.htm">Accountable</a> <a href="/luke/16-2.htm">Accounting</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-14.htm">Careless</a> <a href="/matthew/17-17.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/matthew/14-5.htm">Held</a> <a href="/matthew/20-3.htm">Idle</a> <a href="/matthew/12-37.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Judgement</a> <a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/matthew/10-15.htm">Judgment-Day</a> <a href="/matthew/14-21.htm">Reckoning</a> <a href="/matthew/16-27.htm">Render</a> <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/matthew/13-32.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/matthew/13-35.htm">Utter</a> <a href="/matthew/13-19.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 12</div>1. <a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">by scripture,</a> 9. <a href="/matthew/12-9.htm">by reason,</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">and by a miracle.</a> 22. <a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, </a> 32. <a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.</a> 36. <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Account shall be made of idle words.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,</a> 46. <a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But I tell you This phrase emphasizes the authority of Jesus as He speaks. In the context of <a href="/matthew/12.htm">Matthew 12</a>, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees, who have accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul. His statement underscores His divine authority and the seriousness of His message. This authoritative introduction is consistent with other teachings of Jesus, such as in the Sermon on the Mount, where He often contrasts His teachings with traditional interpretations.that men will give an account The concept of giving an account is rooted in the biblical understanding of God's judgment. Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent theme that individuals are responsible for their actions and words. This accountability is not just for overt actions but extends to words, reflecting the comprehensive nature of divine judgment. The idea of giving an account is also seen in <a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a> and <a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a>, where believers are reminded of their responsibility before God.on the day of judgment The day of judgment is a significant eschatological event in Christian theology, where God will judge the living and the dead. This concept is prevalent throughout the Bible, including in the Old Testament prophetic literature and New Testament writings. It is a day when God's justice will be fully realized, and all will be held accountable. This aligns with passages like <a href="/revelation/20-11.htm">Revelation 20:11-15</a>, which describe the final judgment.for every careless word they have spoken The focus on "careless words" highlights the importance of speech in the moral and spiritual life. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, words were seen as powerful and reflective of one's inner character. <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a> speaks to the power of the tongue, and <a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-10</a> elaborates on the potential for both good and harm in speech. This phrase serves as a warning about the seemingly insignificant words that can have significant spiritual consequences. It underscores the biblical teaching that words are not trivial but are a reflection of the heart, as seen in <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the crowd, teaching about the importance of words and the heart's condition. 2. <a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a> A religious group in Israel known for strict adherence to the Law. They are often challenged by Jesus for their hypocrisy and legalism. 3. <a href="/topical/d/day_of_judgment.htm">Day of Judgment</a> A future event when all individuals will stand before God to give an account of their lives, including their words and actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_words.htm">The Weight of Words</a> Our words carry significant weight and reflect the condition of our hearts. Careless words can have lasting impacts, and we must be mindful of what we say. <a href="/topical/a/accountability_before_god.htm">Accountability Before God</a> Every word spoken will be accounted for on the day of judgment. This should encourage us to speak with intention and integrity, knowing that God hears all. <a href="/topical/h/heart_and_speech_connection.htm">Heart and Speech Connection</a> Our speech is a reflection of our inner spiritual state. By cultivating a heart aligned with God's will, our words will naturally follow suit. <a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_tongue.htm">Guarding Our Tongue</a> Practically, we should strive to control our tongue, avoiding gossip, slander, and idle talk, and instead, speak words that build up and encourage others. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_forgiveness_and_growth.htm">Seeking Forgiveness and Growth</a> When we fail in our speech, we should seek God's forgiveness and ask for the Holy Spirit's help to grow in this area, becoming more Christ-like in our communication.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12</a> <a href="/q/what_are_idle_words.htm">What are idle words?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_judgment.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on judgment?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_verbal_abuse.htm">What does the Bible say about verbal abuse?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'guff'_mean.htm">What does "guff" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(36) Every idle word that men shall speak.--The teaching, though general in form, still looks back to the hard, bitter words of the Pharisees which had been the starting-point of the discourse. Our Lord does not speak, as we might have expected, of "every evil word," but of "every idle--i.e., useless and purposeless--word," the random utterances which, as being more spontaneous, betray character more than deliberate speech. Such an "idle word" had been the passing taunt, "He casteth out devils by Beelzebub." It is not said, however, that for every such random speech a man shall be condemned, but that he shall give an account for it. It will enter into that great total which determines the divine estimate of his character, and, therefore, the issues of the great "day of judgment."<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 36, 37. - Matthew only. Verse 36. - But (δέ); and (Revised Version). The adversative particle hints at the contrast of ver. 35 to their ordinary ideas about the importance of words. I say unto you, That every idle (ἀργόν); i.e. effecting nothing, morally useless; <a href="/2_peter/1-8.htm">2 Peter 1:8</a> (cf. καταργεῖ, <a href="/luke/13-7.htm">Luke 13:7</a>). Word (ῤῆμα); see ver. 37, note. That men shall speak, they shall give account thereof (ἀποδώσουσι λόγον: cf. <a href="/1_peter/4-5.htm">1 Peter 4:5</a>) in the day of judgment (<a href="/matthew/10-15.htm">Matthew 10:15</a>, note). <a href="/commentaries/matthew/12-36.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. I tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. that οἱ (hoi) Article - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. men ἄνθρωποι (anthrōpoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. will give ἀποδώσουσιν (apodōsousin) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_591.htm">Strong's 591: </a> From apo and didomi; to give away, i.e. Up, over, back, etc. an account λόγον (logon) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. on ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. [the] day ἡμέρᾳ (hēmera) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2250.htm">Strong's 2250: </a> A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. of judgment κρίσεως (kriseōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2920.htm">Strong's 2920: </a> Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice. for ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. every πᾶν (pan) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. careless ἀργὸν (argon) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_692.htm">Strong's 692: </a> Idle, lazy, thoughtless, unprofitable, injurious. (by implication) lazy, useless. word ῥῆμα (rhēma) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever. they have spoken. λαλήσουσιν (lalēsousin) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2980.htm">Strong's 2980: </a> A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 12:36 I tell you that every idle word (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/12-35.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 12:35"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:35" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/12-37.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 12:37"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:37" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>