Matthew Chapter 7 — The Conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount
Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount by teaching about discernment, the power of prayer, and the necessity of building one's life on a solid spiritual foundation.
1“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
2For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
5You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.
6“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
8For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
9Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
13“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it.
14How*TR reads “Because” instead of “How” narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.
15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
16By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
19Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
21“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
22Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’
23Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
24“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
29for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
This verse is a central teaching on the accessibility and goodness of God toward those who seek Him.
Matthew 7:12
“Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”
Commonly known as the Golden Rule, this verse summarizes the ethical teachings of the Hebrew scriptures.
Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
This concludes the sermon by emphasizing that hearing must be followed by action for a lasting foundation.
Chapter Summary
Matthew Chapter 7 concludes the Sermon on the Mount with Jesus providing practical guidance for a life of faith. He begins by warning against hypocritical judgment, famously using the illustration of a speck and a beam to encourage self-reflection. He then encourages persistence in prayer through the 'ask, seek, and knock' teaching, illustrating God's goodness as a Father who gives good gifts. Jesus introduces the 'Golden Rule,' summarizing the Law and the Prophets through the command to treat others as we wish to be treated. The chapter continues with warnings about the narrow gate versus the broad path and the identification of false prophets by their 'fruit.' Jesus emphasizes that true followers are those who do the will of the Father, not just those who speak of Him. Finally, He concludes with the parable of the wise and foolish builders, contrasting those who hear and obey His words with those who do not. The multitudes are left astonished by the authority of His teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment where one critiques others while ignoring their own faults. He emphasizes that the standard we use to judge others will be the standard applied to us by God.
The Golden Rule is the instruction to treat others the way you want to be treated. Jesus states that this single principle summarizes the core essence of the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus teaches that false prophets can be identified by their 'fruits,' meaning their actions and the results of their lives. He uses the analogy of trees to show that a person's character eventually reveals itself.
This parable contrasts those who listen to Jesus' teachings and act on them with those who listen but do nothing. The 'rock' represents the stability found in active obedience to His words during life's storms.
Study Note
The Greek word for 'hypocrite' (v. 5) originally referred to a stage actor wearing a mask, highlighting the disconnect between outward appearance and inner reality.
Related Chapters
Matthew Chapter 5
The Sermon on the Mount begins here with the Beatitudes and the salt and light metaphors.
Luke Chapter 6
This chapter contains the 'Sermon on the Plain,' which shares many parallel teachings with Matthew 7.
James Chapter 1
The Book of James echoes Jesus' teaching on the necessity of being doers of the word and not just hearers.
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