Meaning of BLASPHEMY

Blasphemy has a broader meaning in Holy Scripture than in common language. It included slander, and covers any word or act offensive to the divine majesty, such as desecrating holy places, altering rites, consciously violating the law, taking the name of God in vain, etc.

To avoid the latter as much as possible, the very pronunciation of Jehovah's sacred name was omitted, replacing it with "Adonai" ("Lord").

In the New Testament, blasphemy means the usurpation by man of divine prerogatives. Jesus' enemies accused him of blasphemy (Mt. 19:26; Jn. 10:36), because they did not recognize his deity. The evangelists consider any insult to Christ blasphemy.

The most serious blasphemy, which does not admit forgiveness, is that which goes against the Holy Spirit (Mt. 3:28). This particular blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was attributing the Lord's action of casting out demons to satanic power, in the face of undeniable evidence of his divine power.

This sin was not going to be forgiven in this century, nor in the one to come. The context gives evidence that "the unforgivable sin" refers to this particular form of blasphemy (Mt. 12:24-32; cf. Mr. 3:22-30).

The Jews violently expressed their indignation at blasphemy (Mt. 26:65; Acts 7:51). Blasphemy was punishable by death (Lev. 24:6; 1 Kings 21:10; Acts 6:13).