Matthew 7
Matthew 7 is the last part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. In this chapter, he speaks about the proper attitude toward others, our relationship with God, true discipleship, and the foundation of life. Taken as a whole, it contains lessons about the principles of living, how to put them into practice, and how to make choices, focusing on how those who listen to Jesus’ words should apply God’s will to their real lives.
1verse“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
2verseFor with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
3verseWhy do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4verseOr how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
5verseYou 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.
6verse“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.
7verse“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
8verseFor everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
9verseOr who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10verseOr if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
11verseIf 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!
12verseTherefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
13verse“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.
14verseHow narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.
15verse“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
16verseBy their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
17verseEven so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
18verseA good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
19verseEvery tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20verseTherefore by their fruits you will know them.
21verse“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.
22verseMany 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?’
23verseThen I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
24verse“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.
25verseThe 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.
26verseEveryone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27verseThe rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
28verseWhen Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
29versefor he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
Summary of Key Content
- Do not judge (verses 1-5): It warns against judging and condemning others and emphasizes that we should first examine our own selves.
- Holy things and pearls (verse 6): The chapter teaches not to handle holy teachings carelessly, but to deliver them with discernment.
- Ask, seek, and knock (verses 7-12): It speaks about the importance of trust and prayer toward God, and adds the principle of the “golden rule” (treat others as you would want them to treat you).
- The narrow gate and the wide road (verses 13-14): It emphasizes that we must choose the right path, warning that the way leading to life is narrow and that few find it.
- Beware of false prophets (verses 15-23): Jesus distinguishes people not by outward appearance but by their fruit, stressing that what matters is not faith that is only words, but the practice of it in life.
- Build your house on the rock (verses 24-27): Through a parable, he explains that those who listen to his words and put them into practice are like wise people who built their house on the rock.
The Overall Meaning and Flow
This chapter harmoniously emphasizes the inner attitudes that a genuine believer should have and the practice of faith in life. It calls us to live with God by actively seeking him, recognizing our own shortcomings without hastily condemning others. It also warns that outward appearance and mere zeal in doing things are not enough, as seen in the parable of the “narrow gate” and the teaching about “the person who builds a house on the rock.” In the end, it shows that listening to Jesus’ words and putting them into practice in everyday life is the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount.
Meditation Points
- Am I not judging or condemning someone too easily?
- In specific situations of life, am I living by seeking God’s will?
- Am I focusing on the fruit within and the practice of faith rather than on outward appearances?
- It is worth checking whether my life of faith is established “on the rock.”
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Today, throughout the day, you can try to make an effort to understand and love others rather than judge them.
- In difficult moments, you can pray to God first and put into practice a life that trusts in his guidance.
- Don’t stop at just listening to the word—obey it in your everyday life and begin with small acts of practice.
