Matthew 12:35

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.

Matthew 12:35 (KJV)

Context

Jesus spoke these words while answering the Pharisees, who had accused Him of casting out demons by Beelzebub, the prince of demons. In the surrounding passage, He warns against evil and hypocrisy, and He uses this moment to teach that what comes out of a person reveals what is inside.

Meaning

Jesus contrasts a good man and an evil man by the treasure of their hearts. In biblical terms, the heart is the core of a person’s being—their thoughts, desires, and motivations. The good treasure is not naturally possessed but is implanted by God’s grace; it is the grace received from Christ’s fullness. A good man, being regenerated and renewed by the Spirit, brings forth good things from this treasure. Conversely, an evil man, from his evil treasure, brings forth evil things.

This teaching connects to the preceding verse, where Jesus says, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Words and actions reveal the heart’s condition. Just as a tree produces fruit according to its nature, a person who is genuinely good will manifest goodness in their words, actions, and attitudes—acts of kindness, love, compassion, honesty, and righteousness. An evil treasure represents wickedness, sin, and ungodliness residing within, leading to harmful actions such as lies, deceit, hatred, greed, and immorality.

Application

This verse serves as a reminder for believers to focus on developing a heart filled with goodness, righteousness, and godly virtues. As Christians, we are called to continually seek transformation of the heart through the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to produce good fruit and impact the world positively. Jesus invites His listeners to examine their hearts and recognize the importance of cultivating goodness within.

Reflection

Matthew 12:35 teaches us about the significance of the heart in shaping our character and actions. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating goodness within, so that our words and deeds may reflect the love, grace, and righteousness of God.