Exegetical Procedures for Interpreting "The Unpardonable Sin"

SPECIAL TOPIC: "The Unpardonable Sin"

Remember that the Gospels reflect a first century Jewish setting
1. Two kinds of sins (see SPECIAL TOPIC: UNINTENTIONAL SINS, cf. Lev. 4:2,22,27; 5:15,17-19; Num. 15:27-31; Deut. 1:43; 17:12-13)
  1. unintentional
  2. intentional
2. Pre-Pentecostal Jewish setting (i.e., the fulfillment of the gospel [i.e., death, resurrection, ascension] and the special endowment of the Spirit have not yet occurred)
Note the literary context of Mark 3:22-30
1. The unbelief of Jesus' own family (cf. Mark 3:31-32)
2. The unbelief of the Pharisees (cf. Mark 2:24; 3:1,6,22)
Compare the Gospel parallels, where the title "Son of Man" changes to "sons of men"
1. Matt. 12:22-37 (i.e., 12:32, "a word against the Son of Man")
2. Luke 11:14-26; 12:8-12 (i.e., 12:10, "a word against the Son of Man")
3. Mark 3:28 (i.e., "All sins shall be forgiven the sons of men")

In my understanding the unpardonable sin is the continuing rejection of Jesus in the presence of great light. The Pharisees clearly understood but refused to believe. In this sense it is related to the "sin unto death" in 1 John (i.e., Gnostic false teaching, see SPECIAL TOPIC: SIN UNTO DEATH).

I think God never cuts humans off from His grace, but they cut themselves off by refusing to heed the promptings of the Spirit. When humans say "no" to the Spirit over and over, their hearts and minds become calloused! It is not that God is not speaking, but they cannot hear (i.e., Isa. 6:9-10).

As a pastor, I have been called on the phone many times late at night by people who fear they have committed the unpardonable sin. I try to help them by reminding them that "feeling guilty" is a good sign that the Spirit is still able to communicate to them. Therefore, they need repentance (i.e., 1 John 1:9).

SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (NT)

SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT)