Matthew 7
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matthew 7 Meaning
In Matthew 7, Jesus is teaching his disciples and a large crowd about how to live a righteous and authentic Christian life. He addresses various aspects of life, such as judging others, seeking God’s guidance, treating others with kindness, and the significance of choosing the right path. The verses highlight the importance of practicing what we preach and having a genuine relationship with God.
Matthew 7 Commentary and Explanation
In Matthew 7, Jesus continues to teach his disciples, and by extension, all of us, about the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. He starts by cautioning us not to judge others harshly, lest we be judged in the same way. This doesn’t mean we should never discern right from wrong, but it reminds us to approach judgment with humility and love, remembering that God alone is the ultimate judge (Luke 6:37).
Jesus goes on to use the analogy of a speck and a plank in the eye to illustrate the importance of dealing with our own faults before criticizing others. It’s a call for self-examination and personal growth. We can’t help others effectively if we’re blind to our own shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5).
Verse 6 contains a somewhat puzzling statement about not giving what is holy to dogs or casting pearls before swine. This implies the need for discernment in sharing the message of the Gospel. Sometimes, it’s more productive to focus our efforts on those who are receptive and open to God’s truth (Matthew 10:14).
Jesus then introduces the concept of asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer. He encourages us to persistently seek God’s guidance and provision, promising that those who seek will find and those who ask will receive. This aligns with other passages that emphasize the importance of persistent prayer (Luke 11:9-10).
In verses 12-14, Jesus gives us what is often called the “Golden Rule.” He tells us to treat others the way we want to be treated. This profound principle encapsulates the essence of all God’s commandments (Matthew 22:39) and highlights the importance of love and empathy in our interactions with others.
Moving forward, Jesus warns us about false prophets who come in sheep’s clothing but are inwardly ravenous wolves. This underscores the need for spiritual discernment and the importance of evaluating teachers and leaders based on the fruits of their ministry (Matthew 7:15-20).
Jesus concludes this chapter with a striking parable about two builders—one who builds on a solid foundation (God’s Word) and one who builds on sand (worldly wisdom). When the storms of life come, only the house on the solid foundation stands firm. This parable reminds us of the importance of building our lives on the truths of Scripture and trusting in God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Matthew 7 imparts invaluable lessons for our Christian journey. We are encouraged to approach judgment with humility, practice self-examination, and discern when and how to share the Gospel. Jesus emphasizes the power of persistent prayer and the significance of treating others with love and empathy. We’re also cautioned to watch out for false prophets and to build our lives on the firm foundation of God’s Word. These teachings guide us in living out the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven in our daily lives.
Also Read: Luke 12:49-56 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Matthew 7
The context of Matthew 7 is crucial in understanding the significance of Jesus’ teachings. This chapter is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a collection of Jesus’ most profound teachings found in Matthew 5-7. The focus is on righteousness and the true nature of discipleship.
At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus warns against being judgmental, highlighting the importance of examining our own lives before pointing out the faults of others. He then transitions to the topic of prayer and the need for persistence and sincerity.
Jesus then proceeds to explain the Golden Rule, summarizing the Law and the Prophets. He encourages us to treat others as we would like to be treated, emphasizing the importance of love and compassion.
Lastly, Jesus uses the analogy of two gates and two paths to emphasize the importance of making the right decision regarding our spiritual journey. He warns against the dangers of following the crowd and choosing the path of least resistance.
Lessons From Matthew 7
- Avoid being judgmental: Instead of being quick to judge others, we should focus on self-examination and personal growth. It’s important to cultivate a compassionate and empathetic attitude towards others, recognizing that we too have faults.
- Practice humility: Recognizing our own faults and shortcomings allows us to approach others with humility and understanding. Humility enables us to extend grace and forgiveness, just as we ourselves have received from God.
- Seek self-improvement: Self-reflection and self-correction are essential for spiritual growth. As we address our own flaws, we become better equipped to help and support others, gently guiding them towards righteousness.
Final Thoughts
Matthew 7 provides valuable insights and teachings from Jesus, urging His followers to live authentic and righteous lives, free from hypocritical judgment. It emphasizes the power of prayer, the importance of self-examination, and the significance of making choices that align with God’s will. As Christians, let us strive to embody these teachings and walk in obedience, seeking God wholeheartedly, and choosing the narrow path that leads to eternal life.