The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost.
Many persons have been tempted to believe that they had committed this dreadful sin, and thereby put themselves beyond the reach of mercy. Correct judgment upon this very important subject may best be attained by considering the more fearfully emphatic words of our Lord in their connection.
I. THE NATURE OF THE BLASPHEMY MAY BE GATHERED FROM THE STORY.
1. Our Lord had wrought a notable miracle.
2. The people were convinced of his Messiahship.
3. But the Pharisees blasphemed.
4. The Heart-searcher exposed their malignity.
(a) Some of the disciples of the Pharisees pretended to exorcise devils. Whether they did so in reality is open to question. Josephus (see 'Ant.,' 7.6. 3; 8.2. 5), Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Origen, Tertullian, and other early Fathers are quoted to show that such exorcisms were successfully practised. The sons of Sceva attempted it to their cost (see Acts 19:16). If they only pretended to do it, then our Lord's words here are ironical, but the argument is equally good.
(b) The disciples of the Pharisees professed not to cast out devils by the aid of devils. They did it, or attempted to do it, by the invocation of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
II. THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE SUBJECT MAY NOW BE CONSIDERED.
1. Is not the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost the final rejection of Jesus as the Christ?
2. Yet are there degrees of difficulty in respect to repentance.
3. Is there here any countenance to the doctrine of purgatory?