Matthew 12:35 (KJV)

What does Matthew 12:35 mean?

Matthew 12:35 says that the kind of person someone is on the inside—whether good or evil—determines what comes out of their life, just like a treasure chest only holds what has been put into it. The verse teaches that good people naturally produce good things, while evil people produce evil things, because of what fills their hearts.

Jesus is speaking to a crowd, including religious leaders who have just accused Him of working by evil power. He uses this saying to explain that a person’s words and actions reveal what is truly inside them. The “good treasure” and “evil treasure” are pictures of the heart’s inner storehouse, showing that what fills a person’s heart will eventually come out in their behavior.

The Greek behind Matthew 12:35

• The word for "good" is ἀγαθός (agathos), which means morally upright or beneficial. This highlights that the goodness Jesus talks about is not just about actions but about a person’s inner character.
• The word for "treasure" is θησαυρός (thēsauros), meaning a storehouse or a place where valuables are kept. This helps us see that the heart is pictured as a storage place, and whatever is stored up there will be what a person brings out.
• The word for "heart" is καρδία (kardia), which in Greek thinking refers not just to feelings, but to the center of a person’s thoughts, desires, and will. This means Jesus is talking about the whole inner life, not just emotions.
• The word for "bringeth forth" is ἐκβάλλω (ekballō), which means to cast out or produce. This emphasizes that what is inside will inevitably come out into words and actions.

Why Matthew 12:35 matters

• Matthew 12:35 clears up the idea that actions or words are accidental or separate from a person’s true self; Jesus teaches that they flow from the heart’s true condition.
• The verse connects to the wider passage, where Jesus is responding to accusations from the Pharisees, showing that their words against Him reveal their own hearts.
• This verse helps explain why Jesus places so much importance on the heart throughout His teaching, not just on outward behavior.