Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” New Living Translation Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.” English Standard Version Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.” Berean Standard Bible Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.” Berean Literal Bible Then it goes and takes with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself; and having entered in, they dwell there, and the last of that the man becomes worse than the first. So also will it be unto this evil generation." King James Bible Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. New King James Version Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” New American Standard Bible Then it goes and brings along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they come in and live there; and the last condition of that person becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” NASB 1995 “Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” NASB 1977 “Then it goes, and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” Legacy Standard Bible Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” Amplified Bible Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So will it also be with this wicked generation.” Christian Standard Bible Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then off it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation.” American Standard Version Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. Contemporary English Version it goes off and finds seven other evil spirits even worse than itself. They all come and make their home there, and the person ends up in worse shape than before. That's how it will be with you evil people of today. English Revised Version Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation. GOD'S WORD® Translation Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself. They enter and take up permanent residence there. In the end the condition of that person is worse than it was before. That is what will happen to the evil people of this day." Good News Translation Then it goes out and brings along seven other spirits even worse than itself, and they come and live there. So when it is all over, that person is in worse shape than at the beginning. This is what will happen to the evil people of this day." International Standard Version Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and settle there. And so the final condition of that person becomes worse than the first. That's just what will happen to this evil generation!" Majority Standard Bible Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.? NET Bible Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there, so the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this evil generation as well!" New Heart English Bible Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that person becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation." Webster's Bible Translation Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation. Weymouth New Testament Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation." World English Bible Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthen it goes, and takes with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man becomes worse than the first; so will it also be to this evil generation.” Berean Literal Bible Then it goes and takes with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself; and having entered in, they dwell there, and the last of that the man becomes worse than the first. So also will it be unto this evil generation." Young's Literal Translation then doth it go, and take with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and having gone in they dwell there, and the last of that man doth become worse than the first; so shall it be also to this evil generation.' Smith's Literal Translation Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits, worse than he, and having come in, they dwell there: and the last things of that man are worse than the first. So also shall it be to this evil generation. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen he goeth, and taketh with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man in made worse than the first. So shall it be also to this wicked generation. Catholic Public Domain Version Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and live there. And in the end, the man becomes worse than he was at first. So, too, shall it be with this most wicked generation.” New American Bible Then it goes and brings back with itself seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they move in and dwell there; and the last condition of that person is worse than the first. Thus it will be with this evil generation.” New Revised Standard Version Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there; and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen it goes away and brings with it seven other spirits worse than itself, and they enter and live in it; and the end of that man becomes worse than at first. Such will happen to this evil generation. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Then it goes bringing with it seven other spirits worse than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the end of that man becomes worse than his beginning. Thus will it be done to this evil generation.” NT Translations Anderson New TestamentThen he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be with this wicked generation. Godbey New Testament Haweis New Testament Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation. Mace New Testament then he goes and takes seven other spirits besides himself, but more mischievous than himself, and they all enter in and lodge there: so that the last state of that man is worse than the first, just so shall it likewise fare with this wicked generation. Weymouth New Testament Then he goes and brings back with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they come in and dwell there; and in the end that man's condition becomes worse than it was at first. So will it be also with the present wicked generation." Worrell New Testament Worsley New Testament Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context An Unclean Spirit Returns…44Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.” 46While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.… Cross References Luke 11:24-26 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ / On its return, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. / Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first.” 2 Peter 2:20-22 If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. / It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. / Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.” Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, / who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— / and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Ephesians 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Romans 1:28-32 Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ... John 5:14 Afterward, Jesus found the man at the temple and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Stop sinning, or something worse may happen to you.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. Galatians 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Isaiah 57:20-21 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. / “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Jeremiah 7:24 Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Ezekiel 18:24 But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die. Hosea 4:17 Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone! Treasury of Scripture Then goes he, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation. seven. Matthew 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. Mark 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. Mark 16:9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. more. Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. and the. Luke 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Hebrews 6:4-8 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, … Hebrews 10:26-31,39 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, … Even. Matthew 21:38-44 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance… Matthew 23:32-39,24,34 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers… Luke 11:49-51 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: … Jump to Previous Dwell End Enter Evil First Generation Goes Last Seven Spirits State Wicked WorseJump to Next Dwell End Enter Evil First Generation Goes Last Seven Spirits State Wicked WorseMatthew 12 1. Jesus reproves the blindness of the Pharisees concerning the Sabbath,3. by scripture, 9. by reason, 13. and by a miracle. 22. He heals a man possessed that was blind and mute; 24. and confronting the absurd charge of casting out demons by Beelzebub, 32. he shows that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall never be forgiven. 36. Account shall be made of idle words. 38. He rebukes the unfaithful, who seek after a sign, 46. and shows who is his brother, sister, and mother. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself This phrase illustrates the concept of spiritual warfare and the reality of demonic activity. The number seven often symbolizes completeness or fullness in biblical literature, suggesting a complete or intensified state of evil. The idea of spirits being more wicked indicates a hierarchy or varying degrees of malevolence among demonic forces. This reflects the Jewish understanding of the spiritual realm during the time of Jesus, where exorcism and spiritual purity were significant concerns. The act of bringing more spirits suggests a deliberate strategy to reinforce the hold on the individual, highlighting the persistent and escalating nature of evil when not countered by the presence of God. and they go in and dwell there And the final plight of that man is worse than the first So will it be with this wicked generation Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker of this passage, providing a warning and teaching about spiritual realities and the state of the generation He was addressing. 2. The Unclean Spirit Represents evil influences or demonic forces that can inhabit a person or generation, leaving and returning with greater force if not replaced with righteousness. 3. The Man Symbolizes individuals or groups who experience temporary relief from evil but fail to fill their lives with Godly presence, leading to a worse state. 4. The Wicked Generation Refers to the people of Jesus' time who were rejecting His message and thus were vulnerable to greater spiritual peril. 5. Seven Other Spirits Indicates the completeness and severity of the evil that can return if a person or generation does not turn to God. Teaching Points Spiritual VigilanceBelievers must remain vigilant and not become complacent after experiencing deliverance or spiritual victories. The absence of evil is not enough; it must be replaced with God's presence. The Danger of Emptiness An empty spiritual life is vulnerable to greater evil. It is crucial to fill one's life with the Holy Spirit and God's Word to prevent a return to a worse state. Generational Warnings Just as Jesus warned His generation, we must heed the warning for our own time. Societal rejection of God can lead to greater spiritual peril. The Importance of Discipleship Continuous growth in faith and discipleship is necessary to maintain spiritual health and prevent regression. The Power of Community Engaging in a community of believers provides support and accountability, helping to fill our lives with righteousness and resist evil influences.(45) Seven other spirits more wicked than himself.--The number seven, as in the case of Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2), represents a greater intensity of possession, showing itself in more violent paroxysms of frenzy, and with less hope of restoration. In applying the parable to the religious life of the Jewish people, we have to ask, (1) What answers to the first possession and the expulsion of the evil spirit? (2) What to the seven other spirits joined with the first, and yet more evil? (3) What is the last state, yet future at the time our Lord spoke, which was to be worse than the first? The answer to the first question lies on the surface of their history. Their besetting sin from the time of the Exodus to that of the Captivity had been idolatry and apostasy. The worship of other gods exercised a strange and horrible fascination over them, deprived them, as it were, of light, reason, and true freedom of will. They were enslaved and possessed. Then came the return from the Exile, when, not so much by the teaching of the prophets as by that of the scribes and the Pharisees, idolatry seemed banished for ever. But the house was "empty, swept, and garnished." There was no in dwelling presence of the enthusiasm of a higher life, only an outward ceremonial religion and rigid precepts, and the show of piety. The hypocrisy of the scribes was the garnishing of the house. And then the old evil came back in the form of Mammon-worship, the covetousness which is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5), and with it, bitterness and hate, and the license of divorce, and self-righteousness, and want of sympathy, and that antagonism to good which had come so terribly near to "the sin against the Holy Ghost." That state was bad enough as it was, but our Lord's words point to a future that should be yet worse. We must turn to the picture drawn by the Jewish historian of the crimes, frenzies, insanities of the final struggle that ended in the destruction of Jerusalem, if we would take an adequate measure of the "last state" of that "wicked generation." Verse 45. - Then. On seeing that this is the case (cf Matthew 3:5, note). Goeth he (πορεύεται). Part of the figure; the others would not be far off. And taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked (evil, πονηρότερα) than himself. Christ emphasizes the force and the malignity of a spiritual relapse. And they enter in. Into the heart, and thence into the whole body and soul. And dwell there. Permanently. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. Our Lord's words are apparently quoted in 2 Peter 2:20. Observe that the idea of pollution is found there as well as here. (For the form of the expression, comp. also Matthew 27:64.) Is; becometh (Revised Version), as the result. Even so shall it be, This is more than a warning; it is a verdict. Also unto this wicked generation. Observe Christ's solemn addition of "wicked" (evil, Revised Version; cf. ver. 340; τῇ γενέᾳ ταύτῃ τῇ πουηρᾷ The twofold use of "evil" in this verse is not accidental; this evil generation is already fit for the coming of the evil spirits.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Thenτότε (tote) Adverb Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that. it goes πορεύεται (poreuetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4198: To travel, journey, go, die. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. brings with it παραλαμβάνει (paralambanei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 3880: From para and lambano; to receive near, i.e. Associate with oneself; by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn. seven ἑπτὰ (hepta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven. other ἕτερα (hetera) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2087: (a) of two: another, a second, (b) other, different, (c) one's neighbor. Of uncertain affinity; other or different. spirits πνεύματα (pneumata) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit. more evil πονηρότερα (ponērotera) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural - Comparative Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. than itself, ἑαυτοῦ (heautou) Reflexive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. they go in εἰσελθόντα (eiselthonta) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 1525: To go in, come in, enter. From eis and erchomai; to enter. [and] dwell κατοικεῖ (katoikei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 2730: To dwell in, settle in, be established in (permanently), inhabit. From kata and oikeo; to house permanently, i.e. Reside. there; ἐκεῖ (ekei) Adverb Strong's 1563: (a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. the τὰ (ta) Article - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. final [plight] ἔσχατα (eschata) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural Strong's 2078: Last, at the last, finally, till the end. A superlative probably from echo; farthest, final. of ἐκείνου (ekeinou) Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 1565: That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed. that τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. man ἀνθρώπου (anthrōpou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. is γίνεται (ginetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. worse χείρονα (cheirona) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural - Comparative Strong's 5501: Worse, more severe. Irregular comparative of kakos; from an obsolete equivalent cheres; more evil or aggravated. than the τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. first. πρώτων (prōtōn) Adjective - Genitive Neuter Plural Strong's 4413: First, before, principal, most important. Contracted superlative of pro; foremost. So οὕτως (houtōs) Adverb Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows). will it be ἔσται (estai) Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. with this ταύτῃ (tautē) Demonstrative Pronoun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. wicked πονηρᾷ (ponēra) Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful. generation.? γενεᾷ (genea) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 1074: From genos; a generation; by implication, an age. Links Matthew 12:45 NIVMatthew 12:45 NLT Matthew 12:45 ESV Matthew 12:45 NASB Matthew 12:45 KJV Matthew 12:45 BibleApps.com Matthew 12:45 Biblia Paralela Matthew 12:45 Chinese Bible Matthew 12:45 French Bible Matthew 12:45 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Matthew 12:45 Then he goes and takes with himself (Matt. Mat Mt) |
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