What is the unforgivable sin that Jesus spoke of? by John MacArthur

Faith and Theology: Dr. John MacArthur Q&A

Day 2 of 21 What is the unforgivable sin that Jesus spoke of? According to Jesus' words in Matthew 12.31, the unforgivable sin is "the blasphemy against the Spirit." The sin He was confronting was the Pharisees' deliberate rejection of that which they knew to be of God (see John 11.48; Acts 4.16). They could not deny the reality of what the Holy Spirit had done through Him, so they attributed to Satan a work that they knew was of God (v. 24; Mark 3.22). Someone never exposed to Christ's divine power and presence might reject Him in ignorance and "it will be forgiven him" (v. 32)-assuming the unbelief gives way to genuine repentance. Even a Pharisee such as Saul of Tarsus could be forgiven for speaking "against the Son of Man" or persecuting His followers-because his unbelief stemmed from ignorance (1 Tim. 1.13). But those who know His claims are true and reject Him anyway sin "against the Holy Spirit"-because it is the Holy Spirit who testifies of Christ and makes His truth known to us (John 15.26; 16.14, 15). No forgiveness was possible for these Pharisees who witnessed His miracles firsthand, knew the truth of His claims, and still blasphemed the Holy Spirit-because they had already rejected the fullest possible revelation (Heb. 6.4-6; 10.29). Matthew 12:31 NKJV 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. John 11:48 NKJV 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.” Acts 4:16 NKJV 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. Mark 3:22 NKJV 22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” I Timothy 1:13 NKJV 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. John 15:26 NKJV 26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. John 16:14-15 NKJV 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.