Matthew7

Jesus teaches against hypocritical judgment, urging self-correction before criticizing others. He encourages persistent prayer, promising that God, like a good father, will provide good things. The chapter warns against false prophets, emphasizing that true discipleship is demonstrated by obedience to God's will, likening it to building one's life upon a solid foundation of hearing and doing Christ's words.
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Judging Others

1
Judge not, that ye be not judged. ​
2
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured unto you. ​
3
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ​
4
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye?
5
Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. ​
6
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before the swine, lest haply they trample them under their feet, and turn and rend you. ​

Assurance in Prayer

7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: ​
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for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
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Or what man is there of you, who, if his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone;
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or if he shall ask for a fish, will give him a serpent?
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If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? ​

The Golden Rule

12
All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets. ​

The Narrow and Wide Gates

13
Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. ​
14
For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it.

Warning Against False Prophets

15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. ​
16
By their fruits ye shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ​
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Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
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A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20
Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

True and False Discipleship

21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. ​
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Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? ​
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And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ​

The Two Foundations

24
Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock: ​
25
and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
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And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: ​
27
and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall thereof.

The Authority of Jesus' Teaching

28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these words, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching: ​
29
for he taught them asonehaving authority, and not as their scribes. ​

Study Notes for Matthew 7

Verse 1

This prohibition against judging targets self-righteous, hypercritical condemnation. It does not forbid necessary discernment or righteous critique (cf. vv. 5, 6, 15).

Verse 2

This verse establishes the principle of reciprocity: the standard of judgment we apply to others will ultimately be applied to us by God in the final judgment.

Verse 3

The vivid hyperbole of the 'mote' (splinter) versus the 'beam' (plank) exposes the absurdity and hypocrisy of focusing on minor faults in others while ignoring major flaws in oneself.

Verse 5

Jesus defines the proper order of action: self-examination and correction must precede any attempt to help others, allowing for genuine, non-hypocritical ministry.

Verse 6

This verse provides a necessary balance to the command not to judge, requiring disciples to exercise discernment in protecting sacred truths (holy things, pearls) from those who would reject or profane them.

Verse 7

The famous triad—Ask, Seek, Knock—emphasizes persistence, intensity, and intentionality in prayer, assuring the disciples of God's responsiveness.

Verse 11

The argument moves from the lesser (imperfect human fathers, 'being evil') to the greater (the perfectly good heavenly Father), establishing the theological certainty of God providing good gifts.

Verse 12

This statement summarizes the entire ethical demand of the Law and the Prophets concerning human relationships, serving as the high point and summation of Jesus' moral instruction.

Verse 13

The 'strait' (or narrow) gate signifies that genuine discipleship requires intentional choice, effort, and commitment, contrasting sharply with the easy, popular path leading to destruction.

Verse 15

This command introduces the need for spiritual discernment. False prophets disguise their destructive intentions ('ravening wolves') with pious external appearances ('sheep’s clothing').

Verse 16

The test of 'fruits' refers to the observable results of a person’s life, including their character, behavior, and the practical outcome of their teaching, not merely their initial claims.

Verse 21

Jesus stresses that entrance into the kingdom is based on active obedience ('doing the will of my Father'), not merely verbal affirmation or ritualistic piety.

Verse 22

This warning reveals that even great religious works (prophesying, casting out demons) performed 'in Jesus’ name' are insufficient if the worker lacks a genuine relationship and practices 'iniquity' (lawlessness).

Verse 23

The declaration 'I never knew you' signifies a complete lack of personal, saving relationship, distinguishing those who merely profess faith from those who possess it.

Verse 24

This concluding parable emphasizes the necessity of practical obedience. Hearing Jesus' teachings is synonymous with laying the foundation; doing them is the act of building wisely.

Verse 26

The foolish builder represents those who intellectually assent to Jesus’ teachings but fail to incorporate them into their daily lives, ensuring their spiritual ruin in times of testing.

Verse 28

This verse marks the standard conclusion formula for major discourses in Matthew, signaling the end of the Sermon on the Mount.

Verse 29

Jesus taught with inherent authority (*exousia*), speaking directly on God's behalf, contrasting sharply with the scribes who relied solely on citing previous rabbinic tradition.

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