What does Matthew 12:37 mean?

Jesus has mentioned the day of judgment, referring to His second coming during the end times. At that time, all people will stand before Him. Unbelievers, those who have rejected faith in Christ, will be forced to stand on their own merits (Revelation 20:11–15). Since all people have sinned, anyone judged on their own merits will fall short of God's standards for salvation (Romans 3:23). That "white throne judgment" will clearly show how each person's sin deservedly separates them from God. Only those who have trusted in Christ will receive the gift of eternal life with God (Romans 6:23), because their salvation will be judged based on His righteousness, not their own (2 Corinthians 5:21).

There will be another judgment, however. The "judgment seat of Christ," also known as the "Bema seat," is meant to measure the worth of each Christian's actions. This judgment is the basis for Christ giving or withholding eternal rewards to those who will be in heaven.

He says in this verse that a person's own words will justify or condemn him—including even the most casual or careless remarks (Matthew 12:36). This ties the principle back into daily life: words reveal what is truly in a person's heart.