Sign in
MATTHEW 12:30 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 12:29Matt 12:31
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. The absolute claim that follows the strong-man parable: neutrality is impossible. The one who is not actively gathering with Jesus is scattering — actively working against the kingdom's advance. The claim addresses not only the Pharisees but the crowd: the crowd's wondering (verse 23) must become commitment, or it becomes opposition.

Church Fathers on Matthew 12:30

After that third reply, here follows a fourth, 'He that is not with me is against me.'

Chrysostom · 4th century

Wherein He shews how far He is from having borrowed any power from the Devil; teaching us how great the danger to think amiss of Him, not to be with Whom, is the same as to be against Him.

Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century

But let none think that this is said of heretics and schismatics; though we may apply it besides to such; but it is shewn by the context to refer to the Devil; in that the works of the Saviour cannot be compared with the works of Beelzebub. He seeks to hold men’s souls in captivity, the Lord to set them free; he preaches idols, the Lord the knowledge of the true God; he draws men to sin, the Lord calls them back to virtues. How then can these have agreement together, whose…

Jerome · 4th century
Read all 4 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!
Matthew 12:30 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy