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Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

<!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 12:37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/12-37.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/40_Mat_12_37.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 12:37 - Good and Bad Fruit" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For by your words [reflecting your spiritual condition] you will be justified <i>and</i> acquitted of the guilt of sin; and by your words [rejecting Me] you will be condemned <i>and</i> sentenced.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />On that day they will be told they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/12.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />By your words you will be declared innocent, or by your words you will be declared guilty."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Your words will be used to judge you--to declare you either innocent or guilty." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />because by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />for from your words you will be declared righteous, and from your words you will be declared unrighteous.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/12.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> for from thy words thou shalt be declared righteous, and from thy words thou shalt be declared unrighteous.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For by thy words shalt thou be justified, and by thy words shalt thou be condemned.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For by your words shall you be justified, and by your words shall you be condemned.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />By your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be found guilty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/12.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/12.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/12.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shah be condemned.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/12.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/12.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />for by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/12.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For each of you by his words shall be justified, or by his words shall be condemned."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/12.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>for by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned."<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/12.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/12-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=3311" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/12.htm">Good and Bad Fruit</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">36</span>But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. <span class="reftext">37</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">by</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: t&#333;n (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: log&#333;n (N-GMP) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">words</a> <a href="/greek/1344.htm" title="1344: dikai&#333;th&#275;s&#275; (V-FIP-2S) -- From dikaios; to render just or innocent.">you will be acquitted,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">by</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: t&#333;n (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: log&#333;n (N-GMP) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">words</a> <a href="/greek/2613.htm" title="2613: katadikasth&#275;s&#275; (V-FIP-2S) -- To condemn, pass sentence upon. From kata and a derivative of dike; to adjudge against, i.e. Pronounce guilty.">you will be condemned.&#8221;</a> </span> <span class="reftext">38</span>Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, &#8220;Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.&#8221;&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-2.htm">James 3:2</a></span><br />We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a></span><br />Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-12.htm">Romans 14:12</a></span><br />So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-13.htm">Proverbs 12:13-14</a></span><br />An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. / By fruitful speech a man is filled with good things, and the work of his hands returns to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a></span><br />If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-2.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:2-3</a></span><br />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. / As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Proverbs 10:19</a></span><br />When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a></span><br />But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">Proverbs 15:1-2</a></span><br />A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. / The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, &#8220;Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a></span><br />A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.&#8221;</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.</p><p class="hdg">For by.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></b></br> He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: <i>but</i> he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.</p><p class="hdg">justified.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-25</a></b></br> Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? &#8230; </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jeremiah/49-12.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/matthew/8-33.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/matthew/10-41.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/matthew/12-20.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Acquitted</a> <a href="/matthew/23-33.htm">Condemned</a> <a href="/matthew/26-33.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/mark/12-40.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/luke/7-29.htm">Justified</a> <a href="/matthew/13-17.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/matthew/21-32.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/luke/16-8.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">by scripture,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-9.htm">by reason,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-13.htm">and by a miracle.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-24.htm">and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-32.htm">he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Account shall be made of idle words.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-38.htm">He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/12-46.htm">and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/matthew/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>For by your words you will be acquitted</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the power and significance of spoken words in the judgment process. In the biblical context, words are not merely sounds but are seen as expressions of the heart and mind. <a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a> states, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue," highlighting the profound impact words can have. In Jewish culture, words were considered binding, as seen in the importance of oaths and vows (<a href="/numbers/30-2.htm">Numbers 30:2</a>). Jesus, in this passage, underscores that words reflect one's inner character and faith. The concept of being "acquitted" suggests a legal setting, where one's words can serve as evidence of righteousness or faithfulness. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that faith is demonstrated through actions and words (<a href="/james/2-18.htm">James 2:18</a>).<p><b>and by your words you will be condemned.</b><br>The latter part of the verse serves as a warning about the potential negative consequences of one's speech. In the historical and cultural context of the time, the Pharisees and religious leaders were often criticized by Jesus for their hypocrisy and empty words (<a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27-28</a>). This phrase suggests that careless or malicious words can lead to judgment and condemnation. The idea of being "condemned" by one's words is consistent with the teachings of Jesus, who often warned against the dangers of idle talk and false testimony (<a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a>). This reflects the broader biblical principle that God judges not only actions but also the intentions and words of individuals (<a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a>). The duality of acquittal and condemnation based on words underscores the importance of sincerity and truthfulness in speech, as well as the need for repentance and alignment with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, Jesus is addressing the Pharisees and the crowd, teaching about the significance of words and their reflection of the heart.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharisees.htm">Pharisees</a></b><br>A religious group in Israel known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. They often challenged Jesus and His teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>The general audience present during Jesus' teaching, including His disciples and others who followed Him.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judgment_day.htm">Judgment Day</a></b><br>The future event when all individuals will be held accountable for their actions and words before God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart.htm">The Heart</a></b><br>Although not explicitly mentioned in this verse, the heart is implied as the source of words, reflecting one's true character and beliefs.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words are not just sounds; they carry weight and have the power to influence, build up, or tear down. As believers, we must be mindful of our speech.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/heart_and_speech_connection.htm">Heart and Speech Connection</a></b><br>Our words are a reflection of our heart's condition. A heart aligned with Christ will produce words that honor Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_before_god.htm">Accountability Before God</a></b><br>We will be held accountable for our words on Judgment Day. This should encourage us to speak truthfully and lovingly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_and_edification.htm">Encouragement and Edification</a></b><br>Use words to encourage and edify others, following the example of Christ, who spoke with grace and truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_transformation.htm">Repentance and Transformation</a></b><br>If our words have been harmful, we should seek repentance and allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and speech.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'condemned_by_words'_mean.htm">What does "condemned by your words" mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/will_your_words_justify_you.htm">Will your words justify you?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_sons_of_disobedience.htm">Will your words justify you?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_the_prophet_like_moses.htm">What does 'condemned by your words' 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>(37) <span class= "bld">By thy words thou shalt be justified.</span>--Stripped of the after-thoughts which have gathered round it in the later controversies of theologians, the word "justified" means, as its position here shows, the opposite of "condemned," the being "acquitted" either on a special charge or on a general trial of character. In this sense we are able to understand (without entering into the labyrinth of logomachies in which commentators on the Epistles have too often entangled themselves) how it is that men are said to be justified by faith (<a href="/romans/3-28.htm" title="Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.">Romans 3:28</a> <span class= "ital">et al.</span>)<span class= "ital">,</span> justified by works (<a href="/james/2-24.htm" title="You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.">James 2:24</a>), justified--as here--by words. All three--faith, works, words--are alike elements of a man's character, making or showing what he is. Faith, implying trust and therefore love, justifies as the root element of character; "words," as its most spontaneous manifestation; works, as its more permanent results. Of the words and the works men can in some measure judge, and they are the tests by which a man should judge himself. The faith which lies deeper in the life is known only to God, and it is therefore by faith rather than by works that a man is justified before God, though the faith is no true faith unless it moulds the character and therefore enables the man to pass the other tests also.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 37.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For by</span> (<span class="greek">&#x1f10;&#x3ba;</span>) - referring to, as it were, the source of the verdict - <span class="cmt_word">thy</span> <span class="cmt_word">words</span> (<span class="greek">&#x3c4;&#x1ff6;&#x3bd;&#x20;&#x3bb;&#x1f79;&#x3b3;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;&#x20;&#x3c3;&#x3bf;&#x3c5;</span>); <span class="accented">thy</span>, individualizing. Ob-nerve the change from <span class="greek">&#x1fe4;&#x1fc6;&#x3bc;&#x3b1;</span> (ver. 36), which might in itself refer to the utterance of a madman, or to a parrot-like quotation. But by here using <span class="greek">&#x3bb;&#x1f79;&#x3b3;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span> our Lord shows that he is thinking of utterances of the reason. sentences spoken with a knowledge of their meaning, and forming parts of what are virtually, though not literally, discourses. A <span class="greek">&#x1fe4;&#x1fc6;&#x3bc;&#x3b1;</span> may be the merely mechanical utterance of the lips, <span class="greek">&#x3bb;&#x1f79;&#x3b3;&#x3bf;&#x3b9;</span> imply consciousness. The presence of <span class="greek">&#x3bb;&#x1f79;&#x3b3;&#x3bf;&#x3bd;</span> in the preceding clause is probably entirely accidental. <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt be</span> <span class="cmt_word">justified</span> (<a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Matthew 11:19</a>, note) - 'Quid enim aliud sermones sancti quam tides sonans" (Calovius, in Meyer) - <span class="cmt_word">and by</span> <span class="cmt_word">thy words thou shalt be condemned</span> (ver. 7, note). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/12-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="grk">&#947;&#8048;&#961;</span> <span class="translit">(gar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> </span><span class="str2">For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#954;</span> <span class="translit">(ek)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">&#963;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words</span><br /><span class="grk">&#955;&#972;&#947;&#969;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(log&#333;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> </span><span class="str2">From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will be acquitted,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#948;&#953;&#954;&#945;&#953;&#969;&#952;&#942;&#963;&#8131;</span> <span class="translit">(dikai&#333;th&#275;s&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1344.htm">Strong's 1344: </a> </span><span class="str2">From dikaios; to render just or innocent.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#954;</span> <span class="translit">(ek)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">&#963;&#959;&#965;</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">words</span><br /><span class="grk">&#955;&#972;&#947;&#969;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(log&#333;n)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> </span><span class="str2">From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you will be condemned.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#964;&#945;&#948;&#953;&#954;&#945;&#963;&#952;&#942;&#963;&#8131;</span> <span class="translit">(katadikasth&#275;s&#275;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2613.htm">Strong's 2613: </a> </span><span class="str2">To condemn, pass sentence upon. From kata and a derivative of dike; to adjudge against, i.e. Pronounce guilty.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/12-37.htm">Matthew 12:37 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/12-37.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 12:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/12-38.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 12:38"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 12:38" /></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>

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