Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 12:36

"And I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." — Matthew 12:36 (ASV)

A person will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment for every seemingly insignificant word spoken insofar as it reveals what is in the heart. Every spoken word reflects the heart’s overflow and is known to God. Therefore words are of critical importance (cf. Ephesians 5:3–4, 12; Colossians 3:17; James 1:19; James 3:1–12).