NOTES for Mat 12:31
We usually take Christ's words that every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven, as a measure of the limits of God's mercy. It seems to us that there is something God cannot (or does not want to) forgive. And all our interest goes into understanding what kind of vile thing this is, if God refuses to forgive it.
Behind these words we lose the astounding, incredible thing Jesus says: every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people. It is important that this is not a modal category: may be forgiven. In the Greek original, as in the Russian text, it is simply the future tense. They will be forgiven. This, however, does not cancel another word of the Savior: ask, and it will be given to you. There is no doubt that forgiveness must be sought, that is, a) we must need it, b) ask for it, and c) practice it in our life. But how important for us is the promise that this hope of ours for forgiveness will be fulfilled. Limitation is the lot of creatures; forgiveness, as the work of God, cannot be limited.
What, then, stands behind Jesus' words that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven? Let us rephrase them for clarity. Water can moisten everything except water. Fire can burn everything except fire. Everything can be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Forgiveness is not simply a gift, but, even more, the action and manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit; and if this presence is blasphemed, if we do not accept it, the fire of forgiveness does not ignite.