Matthew 12:43-44 King James Version
When an unclean spirit is gone out of a man,
he walketh through dry places, seeking rest,
and findeth none.
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out;
and when he is come, he findeth it empty, and swept, and garnished.
Joseph Smith Translation
Then came some of the scribes and said unto him,
Master, it is written, that,
Every sin shall be forgiven; but ye say,
Whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost
shall not be forgiven.
And they asked him saying, How can these things be?
And he said unto them,
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man,
he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none;
but when a man speaketh against the Holy Ghost,
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out;
and when he is come, he findeth him empty, swept, and garnished;
for the good spirit leaveth him unto himself.
1. The question that created the LORD's answer is finally restored to its rightful place in the canon of scripture.
2. The scribes wanted to know why there is one sin that cannot be forgiven. Sounds to me like Evangelical Christians, who would like to do whatever they want while alive, and then expect JESUS to forgive all their sins. JESUS will pardon almost all sins, but a pardon is different than forgiveness. Even being forgiven does mean an individual can go to the Highest Heaven, whether it is the Celestial Kingdom of LDS theology, or the 7th level of Jacob's Biblical ladder alluded to in the Old Testament. If you want to live with JESUS you better repent and serve like HIM.
3. The irony of this incident is that the scribes had no chance of ever denying the HOLY GHOST, because that would require that they first accept CHRIST. These people were worried about a sin that never could never possibly commit, because they were never going to follow CHRIST.
4. The confusing dialogue in verse 44 is the unclean spirit talking to himself, but now there is a reason for the evil spirit's return- the denial of the HOLY GHOST.
5. JESUS and his authorized servants can cast out unclean spirits, but that does not mean they cannot return if the individual goes against the HOLY SPIRIT. If you speak against what you know to be true (not just hope), you run the risk of having the influence of the HOLY GHOST leave you unprotected from evil spirits.
6. The KJV makes it look like we are left without hope against evil spirits, and creates doubt and fear in those who read the Bible. CHRIST protects anyone not fully dedicated to evil via the Light of Christ. The HOLY GHOST is a further protection for sincere seekers of truth who have been baptized authoritatively. GOD will shield his fold from the devil and his minions. GOD will not protect those who knowingly choose evil.
7. A little more light from JESUS CHRIST via Joseph Smith, and a little less darkness.