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SUBJECT:
Matthew 12:43-45 The Unclean Spirit Returns
QUESTION: What
is being discussed in these scriptures which are also
discussed in Luke 11:24-26
ANSWER:
First the verses:
Matthew 12:43-45
43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh
through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I
came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept,
and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other
spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and
dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than
the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked
generation.
Now the commentary:
Matthew 12:43-45
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh
through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
A striking parable, suggested naturally by the occasion
(Matthew 12:22 ff.), pictures Israel's (and
the Pharisees') precarious situation. The
expelled demon, finding no resting place in the dry places (indicated
elsewhere as abodes of demons: Isaiah 13:21; Baruch 4:35;
Revelation 18:2), returns to his former
habitation, which is now more attractive (swept,
garnished) but unoccupied. He re-enters with
seven other spirits, and the result is greater degeneration.
So shall it be. Israel (nationally
and individually) had been morally cleansed by
the ministries of John and Jesus. Since the Exile, the evils
of open idolatry had been removed. Yet, in most cases, the
reformation which was meant to be preparatory had stopped
short. Israel's house was "empty." Christ was not invited to
occupy it. Hence this wicked generation will reach an even
worse state. A few years later these same Jews faced the
horrors of A.D. 66-70. End-time members of this race (genea)
will especially be victimized by demons (Revelation 9:1-11)
~from The Wycliffe Bible
Commentary
Here is another commentary which states the same thing:
Luke 11:14-36
Verse 24. When
the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through
dry places, [anudroon
(NT:504)] -
literally, 'un-watered,' and so desert, uninhabited places;
where are no men to possess and destroy;
Seeking rest; and finding none-because out of his element,
which is human misery and destruction:
He saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out: 'It
may be I shall find it tired of its new religious ways, and
not unwilling to entertain, overtures of reconciliation with
its old friend.'
Verse 25. And
when he cometh, he findeth it-"empty" (Matthew 12:44);
occupied by no rival: but further.
Swept and garnished-not only empty, but all ready to receive
him; nay, decked out as if to invite his return.
Verse 26. Then
goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked
than himself. Seven being the number of completeness, a
sevenfold diabolic force, the wickedness of each of which
exceeds that of the first, is the strongest conceivable
expression of a power sufficient to secure them against all
disturbance for the future.
And they enter in, No resistance now. As we say, they walk
the course.
And dwell there. No temporary sojourn or precarious stay do
they make now. They dwell there as in their own proper and
permanent abode.
And the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Matthew adds this important application to the second
parable (Matt 12:45), "Even so shall it be also unto this
wicked generation:" implying that the illustration of this
parable which that wicked generation was to furnish was but
one example of the working of a great general principle. But
an awful illustration of it it was which that generation was
to furnish. By the ministry of the Baptist their 'heart was
turned to the Lord,' to a large extent: then was their
opportunity to receive Christ and live; but they did not: so
they became worse than at the first, and soon put their very
Deliverer to death. These exceedingly vivid parables bear a
strong resemblance to each other; but they differ far more
widely than they agree. The subject of both is the same-the
soul of man changing from the worse to the better. In both
the soul is pictured to us as the residence of the Evil One;
in the one parable as his "palace," in the other as his
"house." In the one parable the strength of this mysterious
enemy is the prominent idea; in the other his uncleanness.
~from Jamieson, Fausset, and
Brown Commentary |