Sign in
MATTHEW 12:35 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Matt 12:34Matt 12:36
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. The principle of the heart's treasure applies to the contrast between Jesus (who brings forth good from his good treasure) and the Pharisees (who bring forth evil from their evil treasure). The Beelzebul charge is an example of evil treasure producing evil speech. The good works of Jesus are the evidence of good treasure.

Church Fathers on Matthew 12:35

After his former answers He here again refutes them in another manner. This He does not in order to do away their charges against Himself, but desiring to amend them, saying, 'Either make the tree good and his fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt.'

Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom. xlii

Thus He holds them in a syllogism which the Greeks call 'Aphycton,' the unavoidable; which shuts in the person questioned on both sides, and presses him with either horn. If, He saith, the Devil be evil, he cannot do good works; so that if the works you see be good, it follows that the Devil was not the agent thereof. For it cannot be that good should come of evil, or evil of good.

Jerome · 4th century

Thus did He at that present refute the Jews, who seeing Christ’s works to be of power more than human, would notwithstanding not allow the hand of God. And at the same time He convicts all future errors of the faith, such as that of those who taking away from the Lord His divinity, and communion of the Father’s substance, have fallen into divers heresies; having their habitation neither uncover the plea of ignorance as the Gentiles, nor yet within the knowledge of the truth.…

Hilary of Poitiers · 4th century
Read all 9 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 12:35 — Community Reflections | HolyStudy