Matthew 7:26

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 {G2532} every one {G3956} that heareth {G191} these {G5128} sayings {G3056} of mine {G3450}, and {G2532} doeth {G4160} them {G846} not {G3361}, shall be likened {G3666} unto a foolish {G3474} man {G435}, which {G3748} built {G3618} his {G846} house {G3614} upon {G1909} the sand {G285}:

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a stupid man who built his house on sand.

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

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:

Commentary

Matthew 7:26 concludes Jesus' parable of the two builders, presenting a stark warning to those who hear His teachings but fail to obey them. This verse describes the spiritual consequence of building one's life on a foundation of mere intellectual assent without practical application of divine truth, likening it to a house built on shifting sand.

Context

This verse is part of the climactic conclusion to Jesus' monumental Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). Following a series of profound ethical and spiritual instructions, Jesus provides a critical illustration to emphasize the necessity of acting upon His words. It directly parallels and contrasts with the wise man who built his house upon the rock in Matthew 7:24-25, highlighting the ultimate fate of those who disregard His commands. The parable serves as a final, urgent call to genuine discipleship at the end of this foundational sermon.

Key Themes

  • The Peril of Disobedience: The primary message is that hearing Jesus' words is insufficient; true spiritual stability comes only from obedience. The "foolish man" represents anyone who acknowledges Christian principles but does not integrate them into their life and actions.
  • The Importance of a Strong Foundation: Building a house "upon the sand" symbolizes a life constructed on unstable ground—perhaps human wisdom, fleeting emotions, or a superficial faith that lacks genuine commitment to Christ's teachings. Such a foundation cannot withstand the inevitable storms of life, whether trials, temptations, or the day of judgment. This contrasts sharply with a foundation built on Christ and His words.
  • Consequences of Neglect: The parable warns that ignoring Jesus' commands leads to ultimate collapse and ruin. While the wise builder's house stood firm, the foolish builder's house suffered "great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:27), signifying spiritual devastation or condemnation.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "doeth them not" emphasizes the lack of action or practical application. In the Greek, the word for "doeth" (poieō) implies active doing, making, or practicing. The contrast is not just between knowing and not knowing, but between hearing and failing to actively embody or perform the teachings. The term "sand" (ammos) literally refers to loose, unstable ground, a stark contrast to the solid "rock" (petra) mentioned in the preceding verses, underscoring the inherent instability of a life not grounded in obedience to Christ.

Practical Application

Matthew 7:26 serves as a timeless warning for all who claim to follow Christ. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual understanding or emotional appreciation of the Gospel to active, daily obedience. For believers today, this means allowing the words of Jesus to shape our decisions, relationships, and priorities. A life built on the "sand" of convenience, cultural norms, or superficial piety will ultimately crumble when faced with adversity or the ultimate test of faith. True spiritual security and endurance come from a consistent commitment to being a doer of the word, and not a hearer only, ensuring our lives are firmly established on the unshakeable foundation of Jesus Christ and His authoritative teachings.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Luke 6:49

    But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

  • Jeremiah 8:9

    The wise [men] are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken: lo, they have rejected the word of the LORD; and what wisdom [is] in them?

  • James 2:20

    But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

  • 1 Samuel 2:30

    Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

  • Proverbs 14:1

    ¶ Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.