Introduction
In the previous chapter Jesus condemns them for rejecting the messiah and killing the prophets for them. He exposes their false religion and their hypocrisy. Here we see a large crowd gathering to see Jesus so large they trample each other. Jesus warns them to beware of the leaven of the pharisees. He encourages His disciples that when they are persecuted not to be afraid. He gives us comfort and warning.
- Secret schemes will be made known. V2
- Don’t fear when they threaten your life. V4-5
- Do not fear persecution. God cares for birds and we are of more value than many sparrows V6-7
- Don’t be afraid to confess Christ because that will be heard in heaven. V8-9 Our God is interceding for us right now.
There is also a warning V9. Many in the crowd are following Him but will turn from Him and join with the pharisees to kill Him. You cannot reject Jesus and be accepted by God. Faith in Jesus is the path to God. Romans 10:9.
So how does blasphemy of the Holy Spirit fit in here?
Here we have the warning first and the comfort last. V10-12
“No greater or more difficult passage found in scripture” ~ St. Augustine
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit: Its also been called the “unpardonable sin”
Mat 21:32 -it will not be forgiven him. Mark 3:29 – never has forgiveness.
Is it to be distinguished by the sin of unbelief? All who do not believe in Jesus will perish. Is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit the same thing?
Various views
A final unbelief and unrepentance. Heb 6, Heb 10:26-27 – these are not true believers.
- Matthew Henry views it as a blasphemy of the Holy Spirit after Pentecost. But why would Jesus tell this to the pharisees
- Refers to the charge of belzibub
- A persistent and decisive rejection of the Spirit. Permanent rejection.
- Willful rejection of the clear work of the Holy Spirit. A knowledgeable willful rejection. But where is the speaking in this view?
Slander and accusing Jesus of working miracles by the aid of the devil. Permanent rejection open slander of the Holy Spirits clear and visible work of God. Blasphemy is paralleled with speaking against. Context they knew the miracle. It proved Christ they could not deny it but yet they did. They attributed to Satan what the Holy Spirit did. The Holy Spirit is revelatory. They spoke against it. Because they did this it cannot be forgiven. Some think these things could only happen in the apostolic age.
A settled denial and resistance of the Spirits call. Including a knowledge that the Word is true and to reject it. Further to attribute His work to satan. This may describe people in Romans 1 where they’ve been given over. They do not fear God and revel in rejecting Him.
But there is also great comfort here. If you are believing in Jesus and in fear of God and your sin you are not blasphemy the Spirit. Anyone who speaks a word against Christ it will be forgiven. If you repent it will be forgiven. 1 John 2:23
V11-12 Every synagogue had a court. They will pressure them to deny Christ. Jesus says not to be anxious that the Spirit that dwells in you will teach you and council you.
Trust Jesus – confess Him – and you will be saved. Don’t be afraid. All the false religion will be revealed. They can only kill the body but they cannot even do that without His permission.
Luke 21:12-15 (NKJV) 12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute [you,] delivering [you] up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. 13 “But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. 14 “Therefore settle [it] in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; 15 “for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.
Matthew 12:31 (NKJV) “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy [against] the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10 NKJV
Luke 12:1-12 (NKJV) 1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first [of all,] “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 “Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! 6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 8 “Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 “But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. 12 “For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”