The Bible makes a distinction between what it means to commit this act against the Son of Man (Jesus) versus the Holy Spirit. This was the initial charge against Jesus, made by Jewish religious leaders, that justified he be put to death (Matthew 26:63 - 66). It is done when one has the knowledge of the person, object, or idea that is being discussed. The above shows that blasphemy is not done by accident. The word 'profane,' a synonym, is listed as abusing or treating with contempt or disdains that which is sacred. The word can be applied to a person who claims some or all of God's attributes. Webster's Dictionary defines the word as to insult, show contempt of or not revere God sufficiently. It means to vilify, speak evil of, or rail against a person. The English word in question is translated, in all twelve of its New Testament references, from the Greek word blasphemia (Strong's Concordance #G988). And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this age nor in the coming age (Matthew 12:31 - 32, HBFV throughout).Īnd I stood on the sand of the sea and I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy (Revelation 13:1, see also 13:6 and 17:3).

Blas plash