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Matthew 12:44

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 12:44 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
Matthew 12:44 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
41The men of Nineveh shall stand up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.
42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
43But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not.
44Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.
46While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, seeking to speak to him.
47And one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, seeking to speak to thee.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then he said, I will return into my house, etc.] Into the land of Judea, particularly into the Scribes and Pharisees, outward professors of religion; who, notwithstanding their outward reformation, and great pretensions to holiness, are Satan’s house still: he has a property in them, a claim upon them; and though he says, from whence I came out, yet he never really and properly quitted it, only seemingly, and in appearance; and therefore his returning is only throwing off the guise, and reassuming his former character, as a vicious and unclean spirit. And when he is come, he findeth it empty: not empty of sin: this puts me in mind of a passage in the Misna f772, where it is said, that on a…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When the unclean spirit ... - The “general sentiment” which our Saviour here teaches is much more easily understood than the illustration which he uses. The Jews had asked a sign from heaven that should decisively prove that he was the Messiah, and satisfy their unbelief. He replies that, though he should give them such a sign a proof conclusive and satisfactory, and though for a time they should profess to believe and apparently reform, yet such was the obstinacy of their unbelief and wickedness, that they would soon return to their former course. and become worse and worse. Infidelity and wickedness, like an evil spirit in a possessed man, were appropriately at “home” in them. If driven…”
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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
“Whence he came out - He speaks as if he had come out of his own accord: See his pride! He findeth it empty - of God, of Christ, of his Spirit: Swept - from love, lowliness, meekness, and all the fruits of the Spirit: And garnished - With levity and security: so that there is nothing to keep him out, and much to invite him in. Matthew 12:45”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“my: Mat 12:29; Luk 11:21, Luk 11:22; Joh 13:27; Eph 2:2; Jo1 4:4 he findeth: Mat 13:20-22; Psa 81:11, Psa 81:12; Hos 7:6; Joh 12:6, Joh 13:2; Act 5:1-3, Act 8:18-23; Co1 11:19; Th2 2:9-12; Ti1 6:4, Ti1 6:5, Ti1 6:9, Ti1 6:10; Jo1 2:19; Jde 1:4, Jde 1:5; Rev 13:3, Rev 13:4, Rev 13:8, Rev 13:9 Matthew 12:45”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification