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

¶ Judge not, that ye be not judged.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Assurance in Prayer

¶ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?

Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

The Golden Rule

¶ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Warning Against False Prophets

¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

True and False Discipleship

¶ 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 which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The Two Foundations

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

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 a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

The Authority of Jesus' Teaching

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the 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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Matthew7

Judging Others

Assurance in Prayer

The Golden Rule

The Narrow and Wide Gates

Warning Against False Prophets

True and False Discipleship

The Two Foundations

The Authority of Jesus' Teaching

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