Matthew 12:35-38 - People will have to give an account

12:35-37

Jesus reiterates the point, If someone is fundamentally good, then they will produce good things. People who are fundamentally evil will produce evil things. “But I tell you ...” Why does Jesus suddenly say that we will have to give an account for every empty word we have spoken? The words that the Pharisees had just spoken were “empty words”, they meant nothing, were worth nothing. They used them merely as a political tool. They weren’t bothered about whether Jesus was actually driving out demons by demonic or Godly power, they just wanted to do Jesus down, to stop people flocking to Him. They would have to give an account for these words on the Day of Judgement. Their words reflected what was in their hearts.

12:38

Then came the next attack. “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” Now at one level at least this was a ridiculous request. Jesus had been doing numerous miracles, there was no shortage of signs! It is possible that they wanted a sign “in the heavens”. If people do not want to believe they will not believe. There are, of course, “miracles” that are not actually miracles, but there are also genuine miracles. But people cal always find an excuse not to believe.