This chapter has parallel teachings to “the sermon on the mount” (Mt 5-7). That means there is so much depth in this chapter we can’t cover it all in this brief format.
” ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.’ ” (v8-10)
Verses 8-9 are clear that if we deny Jesus, Jesus denies us from Heaven. Atheists acknowledge Jesus’ existence as a person of historical record; so, what Jesus means by denying Him, is denying the fact the He is the Son of God, and His death / resurrection pays the penalty for (our) sin. By denying His status as God, and/or denying His redeeming act, we cannot be saved from our sin and “be acknowledged before the angels of God”.
The common understanding of “one who blasphemes” suggests someone ‘using God’s name in an ignorant way’. Though religiously offensive, this is not a biblically accurate definition of blasphemy. A scriptural definition of blasphemy is ‘showing utter contempt for the Lord’, or ‘despising / cursing / insulting God’. ‘Ignorantly using God’s name’ is significantly different than ‘intentionally and insultingly telling God off’.
Therefore, “one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit” essentially ‘spits in His face and slams the door of their heart shut’. God’s works of forgiveness, redemption, transformation, and renewal are only accomplished through His indwelling Holy Spirit. By blaspheming the Holy Spirit, one cannot receive forgiveness – they’re not ‘unforgivable’, but they voluntarily ‘decline the possibility of forgiveness’. Of course they can later have a change of heart, accept Jesus’ divinity and redemption, and invite the Holy Spirit into their hearts, opening the door for God’s forgiveness.
Father God, our Holy and Righteous Creator, You alone are divine and sovereign. May we humbly accept the truth of Jesus, and share His good news among our neighbors. May we also invite the transformative work of Your Holy Spirit, embracing all the provision You offer. Please keep us open to Your teaching and work in our lives, so You may work through us to love our neighbors. All glory, honor, and praise be unto You, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training