Matthew 12:30

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 12:30 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
Matthew 12:30 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
30He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that is not with me, is against me, etc.] These words chiefly refer to Satan, and are a further proof, that Christ did not cast out devils by him; since they two are as much opposites, as can possibly be; Satan is not on the side of Christ, but an adversary to him; there is an original, and implacable enmity, between the serpent and the seed of the woman; there is an open war between them, and therefore one cannot be thought to lend assistance to the other. They were concerned in different things, had different views and interests, and so took different methods; and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth: Christ is the good shepherd, that gathers his sheep to himself, and into his…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad--On this important parable, in connection with the corresponding one (Mat 12:43-45), see on Luk 11:21-26.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil - See the notes at Matthew 4:24. The same account, substantially, is found in Mark 3:22-27, and Luke 11:14-26. Matthew 12:23 Is not this the Son of David? - That is, Is not this the promised “descendant” of David, the Messiah? They were acquainted with the prophecy in Isaiah 35:5, “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped,” and they inferred that he must be the promised Messiah who was able to do this. This inference was drawn by the common people, and not by the proud and haughty Pharisees. It is not uncommon that people of plain common sense, though unlearned, see the true meaning of the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He that is not with me is against me - For there are no neuters in this war. Every one must be either with Christ or against him; either a loyal subject or a rebel. And there are none upon earth, who neither promote nor obstruct his kingdom. For he that does not gather souls to God, scatters them from him. Matthew 12:31”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that is: Mat 6:24; Jos 5:13, Jos 24:15; Ch1 12:17, Ch1 12:18; Mar 9:40; Luk 9:50, Luk 11:23; Co2 6:15, Co2 6:16; Jo1 2:19; Rev 3:15, Rev 3:16 gathereth: Gen 49:10; Hos 1:11; Joh 11:52 Matthew 12:31”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification