Matthew 12:44

42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

43 When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.

Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.

45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him.

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order.
KJV
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
WEB
Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
ASV
Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
DARBY
Then he says, I will return to my house whence I came out; and having come, he finds [it] unoccupied, swept, and adorned.
BLB
Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came out.’ And having come, it finds [it] being unoccupied, and swept, and put in order.
ÅB
Så sier den: ‘Jeg vil vende tilbake til huset mitt, som jeg for ut av.’ Og når den kommer dit finner den det ledig og feid og pyntet.
OTB
Da sier den: ‘Jeg vil vende tilbake til mitt hus som jeg kom fra.’ Når den kommer, finner den huset ubebodd, feid og satt i stand.
B1930
Da sier den: Jeg vil vende tilbake til mitt hus, som jeg fór ut av. Og når den kommer dit, finner den det ledig og feid og pyntet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 John 4:4

    You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

    Read in context
  • 1 John 2:19

    They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 81:11–12

    But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.

    Read in context
  • Revelation 13:8–9

    And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.

    Read in context
  • Jude 1:4–5

    For certain men have crept in among you unnoticed—ungodly ones who were designated long ago for condemnation. They turn the grace of our God into a license for immorality, and they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 11:19

    And indeed, there must be differences among you to show which of you are approved.

    Read in context
  • Ephesians 2:2

    in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 12:29

    Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

    Read in context