12:33
“Make a tree good ...” Jesus is continuing to talk about the heart of man. If we reject the Holy Spirit we reject God’s working to change our hearts, and it is our hearts that need to be changed. Remember that in the Bible “heart” does not just mean emotions, but includes our mind and will, it is the centre of our being. The Pharisees were focused on externals, Jesus is concerned with what is on the inside. For it is the inside, our hearts, that ultimately determine what sort of fruit we will produce.
12:34
“You brood of vipers”. John the Baptist also used this phrase (Matt 3:7), and Jesus would use it again in Matt 23:33. Jesus was not afraid to speak directly! “How can you say anything good?” This is referring back to their accusation that He was casting out demons by Beelsebul. This accusation was the fruit of what was in their hearts. Words do matter, for they reflect what is in our hearts.
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