Matthew 12:42-44

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Matthew 12:42 sn On the queen of the South see 1 Kgs 10:1-3 and 2 Chr 9:1-12, as well as Josephus, Ant. 8.6.5-6 (8.165-175). The South most likely refers to modern southwest Arabia, possibly the eastern part of modern Yemen, although there is an ancient tradition reflected in Josephus which identifies this geo-political entity as Ethiopia.
2. Matthew 12:42 tn Grk “behold.”
3. Matthew 12:43 tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.
4. Matthew 12:43 sn Unclean spirit refers to an evil spirit.
5. Matthew 12:43 tn Grk “man.” This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), referring to both males and females. This same use occurs in v. 45.
6. Matthew 12:43 sn The background for the reference to waterless places is not entirely clear, though some Jewish texts suggest spirits must have a place to dwell, but not with water (Luke 8:29-31; Tob 8:3). Some suggest that the image of the desert or deserted cities as the places demons dwell is where this idea started (Isa 13:21; 34:14).
7. Matthew 12:43 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.
8. Matthew 12:44 tn Grk “I will return to my house from which I came.”
9. Matthew 12:44 tn Grk “comes.”
10. Matthew 12:44 tn The words “the house” are not in Greek but are implied.
11. Matthew 12:44 sn The image of the house empty, swept clean, and put in order refers to the life of the person from whom the demon departed. The key to the example appears to be that no one else has been invited in to dwell. If an exorcism occurs and there is no response to God, then the way is free for the demon to return. Some see the reference to exorcism as more symbolic; thus the story’s only point is about responding to Jesus. This is possible and certainly is an application of the passage.