King James Version

What Does Matthew 12:35 Mean?

Matthew 12:35 in the King James Version says “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure br...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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

33

Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

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.

36

But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
'A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.' Jesus elaborates the heart/speech connection using treasure imagery. The heart is treasury; speech is what's withdrawn. 'Good man' (ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος/agathos anthrōpos) with 'good treasure' (ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ/agathou thēsaurou) produces good output. 'Evil man' (πονηρὸς ἄνθρωπος/ponēros anthrōpos) with 'evil treasure' (πονηροῦ θησαυροῦ/ponērou thēsaurou) produces evil output. Reformed theology sees this as illustrating regeneration's necessity: you must be made good (new heart, Ezekiel 36:26) to produce good fruit. Behavior modification doesn't work—treasury must change. Conversion replaces evil treasure with good treasure; sanctification increases good treasure's proportion. The verse also teaches stewardship: what are you storing in your heart? Scripture, truth, worship, godly meditation—or bitterness, lust, greed, resentment? You'll eventually express whatever you've stored. Luke's version adds 'mouth speaketh' what heart treasures (Luke 6:45)—explicit connection between storage and expression.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Treasure imagery was common in ancient world where wealth was literal treasure—gold, silver, jewels stored in houses, temples, or buried. What you possessed determined what you could give. Jesus applies this metaphorically: heart is treasury; character/speech is disbursement. Jewish wisdom emphasized heart's centrality: 'as he thinketh in his heart, so is he' (Proverbs 23:7). Pharisees maintained external righteousness (appearance of good treasure) while hearts contained evil (Matthew 23:25-28—whitewashed tombs). Jesus exposed this: they could quote Scripture, maintain rituals, appear pious—but evil hearts eventually produced evil speech (accusing Jesus of satanic power). Early church recognized: conversion means new treasure (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:22-24), sanctification means increasing good treasure through Word, Spirit, fellowship (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:18-19). Puritans emphasized 'heart work'—cultivating inner piety producing outward godliness. Modern evangelicalism sometimes reverses this: focusing on external behavior without addressing heart. Jesus's teaching: start with heart; behavior follows.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are you storing in your heart—what inputs (media, relationships, thoughts) are you treasuring, and what output will they inevitably produce?
  2. How does understanding that speech/behavior flow from stored treasure affect your approach to spiritual growth?
  3. What practices help replace evil treasure with good treasure in your heart?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
ὁ1 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθά2 of 22

“A good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

ἄνθρωπος3 of 22

“man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκ4 of 22

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ5 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθά6 of 22

“A good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

θησαυροῦ7 of 22

“treasure”

G2344

a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)

τῆς8 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίας9 of 22

“of the heart”

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

ἐκβάλλει10 of 22

“bringeth forth”

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

τά11 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγαθά12 of 22

“A good”

G18

"good" (in any sense, often as noun)

καὶ13 of 22

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὁ14 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πονηρά15 of 22

“an evil”

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

ἄνθρωπος16 of 22

“man”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

ἐκ17 of 22

“out of”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

τοῦ18 of 22
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πονηρά19 of 22

“an evil”

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

θησαυροῦ20 of 22

“treasure”

G2344

a deposit, i.e., wealth (literally or figuratively)

ἐκβάλλει21 of 22

“bringeth forth”

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

πονηρά22 of 22

“an evil”

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 12:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 12:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Colossians 4:6Proverbs 15:4Proverbs 15:28Colossians 3:16Proverbs 25:11-12Matthew 12:34

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