Blasphemy against the Spirit is described in Mark 3:22–30 and Matthew 12:22–32. One more miracle was performed by Jesus. Jesus cast out the devil and restored sight and speech to a man who had been mute and unable to speak before he was brought to him. The eyewitnesses to the exorcism began to doubt that Jesus was the anointed one. When several Pharisees overheard someone mention the Messiah, they quickly put a stop to any optimism that could have arisen: “This guy only casts out demons via Beelzebul, the prince of demons” (Matthew 12:24).

In response to the Pharisees’ accusations that He is casting out demons by Satan’s power, Jesus provides the Pharisees with several rational explanations for why He is not doing so (Matthew 12:25–29). Now he says to them, “I tell you, every sin and slander may be forgiven, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” Those who speak evil of the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who speak ill of the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this generation or the next (verses 31–32).

It is generally accepted that to blaspheme is to show “defiant disdain.” For example, “cursing God” might entail deliberately making fun of everything that has to do with God. Blasphemy also includes attributing evil to God or denying God the praise that is due to him. But “the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit” is the term used for this particular kind of blasphemy in Matthew 12:31. Despite the overwhelming proof that Jesus was doing miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Pharisees continued to claim that the Lord was possessed by a demon (Matthew 12:24). Keep in mind Mark 3:3, where Jesus is quite specific about the Pharisees’ acts of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

When someone claims that Jesus Christ was possessed by the devil rather than being filled with the Spirit, they are committing blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. This kind of blasphemy is now unthinkable in modern society. The Pharisees were living in a special time because they were able to watch the Son of God perform miracles right in front of their eyes, they had access to the Law and the Prophets, and the Holy Spirit was moving in their midst. It’s unlikely that humanity will ever again be showered with so much divine light; the Pharisees, of all people, should have recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They, however, kept on their way, refusing to be stopped. Despite knowing the truth and having proof to the contrary, they willfully placed Satan’s handiwork in the Spirit’s hands. According to Jesus, their willful ignorance was unacceptable. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was the climax of their rejection of God’s grace. Because they were set on their course to destruction, God would not intervene.

Jesus told the crowd that the Pharisees’ blasphemy against the Holy Spirit “will not be forgiven, either in this age or the one to come” (Matthew 12:32). Another way of saying this is that they would never be forgiven. Holy Spirit “will not be forgiven, either in this age or the one to come” (Matthew 12:32). Another way of saying this is that they would never be forgiven. neither now nor ever. They have committed an eternal sin, as it is written of them in Mark 3:29.

The Pharisees’ open rejection of Christ (and God’s open rejection of them) has a direct influence on the next chapter. To begin with, Jesus “told them many things in parables” (Matthew 13:3; cf. Mark 4:2). When the disciples questioned why He was now speaking to them in parables, Jesus told them, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” (Matthew 13:11–13). After being publicly criticized by the Jewish authorities, Jesus began to use metaphors and parables to conceal the truth. Again, no one can perpetrate the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit in this day and age, no matter how hard some may try. Christ Jesus is not physically present on earth, but rather sits at God’s right hand. No one can see a miracle performed by Jesus and then claim that it was the work of the devil instead of the Holy Spirit.

The sin that can no longer be pardoned is the sin of continuing to disbelieve. Currently, all people are being convinced by the Holy Spirit of their guilt before God and His rightful punishment (John 16:8). To resist such conviction and stubbornly refuse to repent is “blasphemous” of the Spirit.

If a person dies without having placed their trust in Jesus Christ despite the Holy Spirit’s urgings, they will not be pardoned in this life or the next. God’s love for the world is shown by the fact that he sacrificed his only Son so that anybody who puts their faith in Jesus Christ would not be condemned to hell but would enjoy eternal life (John 3:16).

Anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will never see life as long as God’s wrath is upon him (John 3:36).

We hope you have learned one or two things from this piece, please feel free to drop one or two comments in the comment section. Thanks.