The Unforgivable Sin: Understanding Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

What is the Unforgivable Sin?

Jesus’s statement about the unforgivable sin has been the subject of much debate and confusion for centuries. In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus says, “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

So what exactly does Jesus mean by “blasphemy against the Spirit?” And why is it unforgivable?

What is Blasphemy?

Before we can understand blasphemy against the Spirit, we should first understand what blasphemy is. Simply put, blasphemy is speaking irreverently or disrespectfully about God or sacred things. In the Old Testament, blasphemy was considered a serious offense punishable by death (Leviticus 24:10-16).

In the New Testament, blasphemy is still considered a sin, but it is not punishable by death. Paul speaks of how he himself was a blasphemer before he came to faith in Christ (1 Timothy 1:13). And in Acts 13:45-46, we see how the Jews in Antioch “blasphemed” Paul and Barnabas by opposing their message of salvation through Christ.

The Context of Jesus's Statement

Now let’s return to Jesus’s statement about the unforgivable sin. In Matthew 12, Jesus has just healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. The Pharisees, who are watching, accuse Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.

Jesus responds to their accusation by explaining that a house divided against itself cannot stand (Matthew 12:25). He then goes on to say that he casts out demons by the power of the Spirit of God (verse 28).

It is in this context that Jesus says, “But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven” (Matthew 12:28-32).

What is the Blasphemy Against the Spirit?

So what exactly is the blasphemy against the Spirit that Jesus is referring to? The answer lies in the context of Jesus’s statement. The Pharisees have just witnessed Jesus perform a miraculous healing, yet they attribute his power to Satan rather than to the Spirit of God.

In other words, the blasphemy against the Spirit is not simply speaking irreverently about the Holy Spirit. It is attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. It is rejecting the clear evidence of God’s power and instead attributing it to the power of Satan.

As John Piper puts it, “The unforgivable sin is the sin of claiming that Jesus is not from God. And what makes that sin unforgivable is not the size or the heinousness of the sin, but the fact that it decisively separates the sinner from the only source of forgiveness—Jesus himself.”

Why is it Unforgivable?

So why is the blasphemy against the Spirit unforgivable? Is it because God is unwilling to forgive it? Is it because the sin is so great that it is beyond the reach of God’s grace?

The answer lies in the nature of the sin itself. The blasphemy against the Spirit is the ultimate rejection of God’s grace. It is the deliberate and willful rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus. It is the rejection of the only means of salvation.

In other words, the unforgivable sin is unforgivable not because God is unwilling to forgive it, but because the sinner is unwilling to receive forgiveness. The sinner has rejected the only means of forgiveness and salvation, and therefore there is no other way for them to be saved.

What the Unforgivable Sin is Not

It is important to note what the unforgivable sin is not. It is not simply committing a sin that is particularly heinous or egregious. It is not using foul language or cursing God in a moment of anger. It is not even rejecting Jesus or speaking against him.

As Jesus himself says, “And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven” (Matthew 12:32). Peter himself denied Jesus three times, yet he was forgiven and restored by Jesus (John 21:15-19).

In other words, no sin is beyond the reach of God’s grace, except for the deliberate and willful rejection of that grace.

What About Repentance?

So what about repentance? Is there no hope for someone who has committed the unforgivable sin?

The answer is yes and no. On the one hand, if someone has committed the unforgivable sin, they have rejected the only means of forgiveness and salvation. Without repentance, there is no hope for them.

On the other hand, the very fact that someone is concerned about whether or not they have committed the unforgivable sin is evidence that they have not committed it. The very fact that someone desires forgiveness and is seeking it is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in their life.

As John Piper explains, “The unforgivable sin is not a particular act or word. It is a settled condition of the heart that persists until death. It is the state of being utterly and finally and irrevocably unresponsive to the Holy Spirit’s witness about Christ.”

In other words, the unforgivable sin is not a one-time act or word, but a persistent and willful rejection of God’s grace. As long as someone is willing to repent and turn to God, there is hope for them.

Conclusion

So what can we learn from Jesus’s statement about the unforgivable sin? First, we should be careful not to take the statement out of context or to interpret it in a way that goes beyond what Jesus intended. The unforgivable sin is not simply committing a sin that is particularly heinous or egregious, but the deliberate and willful rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony about Jesus.

Second, we should be careful not to despair if we are struggling with sin or have committed sins in the past. No sin is beyond the reach of God’s grace, except for the deliberate and willful rejection of that grace.

Finally, we should be encouraged to seek forgiveness and to turn to God in repentance. The very fact that we desire forgiveness and are seeking it is evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As long as we are willing to repent and turn to God, there is hope for us.

Biblical References

• Matthew 12:31-32


• Leviticus 24:10-16


• 1 Timothy 1:13


• Acts 13:45-46


• John 21:15-19

Keywords

• Unforgivable sin


• Blasphemy against the Spirit


• Rejection of grace


• Repentance


• Forgiveness


• Sin


• Heinous