The Unpardonable Sin

“Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” (NASB) Matt. 12:25b

If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! (NASB) Mark 3:24-26

They must have been as stunned as the crowds but for different reasons. Jesus’ statement was true. Rebellion within a kingdom, country, nation, city or even a home is destructive. Every family which has had teenagers or has ended in divorce understands that rebellion within a home is a major problem. While teenagers can cause major trouble in a home, two parents can eventually destroy a marriage when there is marital strife. Riots in a city can destroy stores and homes, and kill citizens. Anarchy in a nation has the same effect. Jesus had been healing thousands of men and women and casting out demons. If Jesus was demon-possessed and was using demonic powers to cast out other demons, then He was an anarchist. Imagine a military solider who is on the battlefield frustrating the efforts of other soldiers and freeing captured prisoners. How long would such a soldier last? Would he be court martialed?

Historical Records. The Babylonian Talmud was written by Jewish rabbis. In it one can read an accusation that Jesus performed miracles by sorcery or demonic powers,[1] a statement that He was hanged or crucified on a cross,[2] that He died at the age of 33 or 34,[3] and a claim that His body was stolen from the grave and dragged through the streets of Jerusalem.[4]

The gospels directly and honestly state that Jesus was accused by the religious leaders of performing His miracles by the power of Satan. Is it a surprise that Matthew and Mark do not hide these false accusations? Instead of hiding them, they are presented for everyone to read. The gospels are honest and forthcoming, recording historical accounts about Jesus Christ. The gospels also reveal that Jesus was about 33 or 34 years old when He died (Luke 3:23 plus three or four years for His ministry), and that the Jewish leaders claimed His body was stolen (Matt. 28:11-15). It is important to notice that the written records of the Jewish leaders admit that Jesus performed miracles and wonders, and that His body did not remain in the grave.

Matthew, Mark and the historical records show that the religious leaders could not explain His miracles or wonders, except to claim that His miracles were performed through demonic power. They could not explain how He returned to life, except to claim that His body was stolen. The Babylonian Talmud and other documents actually admit that these things occurred, but they did not want to conclude that He was God.

Is it possible the religious leaders told the truth about Jesus? If we ignore Jesus’ masterful response, we find that the records of the secular historians come to Jesus’ defense. We have already discovered that the religious leaders hated Jesus, rejected Jesus’ claim to be God (John 10:33), and wanted to kill Him.

For this reason therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. (NASB) John 5:18

At His coming the lame shall leap as an hart, and the tongue of the stammerer shall be clear speaking: the blind shall see, and the lepers shall be cleansed; and the dead shall rise, and walk about.[5]

These words were written by Pontius Pilate about Jesus Christ. Some claim that a forged document bearing the name of Pontius Pilate was created in the third century (A.D. 200-299). But the statement above was written in the first century and quoted by Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165). Pilate’s report was in the Roman archives and available to Caesar Antoninus Pius and the Roman Senate.

Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37-97) also wrote that Jesus existed, was the Messiah or Christ, performed “surprising feats,” was a teacher of truth, died on a cross, and returned to life on the third day.[6] These are significant statements about Jesus. Some have claimed that Flavius did not write those words. But an objective analysis reveals that Flavius wrote about Jesus and that there is every reason to believe that the words were his.[7]

References to Jesus Christ can also be found the Dead Sea scrolls which support the gospel accounts? One Dead Sea scroll refers to Jesus as “the son of God” and the one who was “pierced” and “wounded.”[8] The negative accusations about Jesus can only be found in the Jewish records. Yet, those records are priceless because they admit that Jesus performed miracles, and wonders, and was not in the grave three days after His death.

We should also remember that many Old Testament prophecies about Jesus came true. One amazing prophecy dating from 530 B.C. found in Daniel 9:25-26 specifies the exact week in which the Messiah would die. Jesus died in that week! A prophecy found in Isaiah, dating from 700 B.C., predicted that Jesus would perform miracles,

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy (NIV).” Isa. 35:5-6

Jesus did miracles. Jesus cast out demons. The Jewish documents merely provided another explanation how He did them. The brood of vipers even spit their venom in ancient documents for us to read and Matthew and Mark faithfully recorded their accusation.

1. I. Epstein. The Babylonian Talmud. The Soncino Press. vol. 3, Sanhedrin 43a. 1935, p. 281.

3. I. Epstein. The Babylonian Talmud. The Soncino Press. vol. 3, Sanhedrin. 106a. 1935, p. 281.

7. F. F. Bruce. The New Testament Documents. Eerdmans Publishing. 1983. p. 105-115.

8. G. R. Jeffrey. The Signature of God. Frontier Research Publications. 1996. p. 99-100.