Matthew 7
Mark 7 begins with a scene in which Jesus teaches about traditional outward rules and genuine inward cleanliness. It then goes on to show the faith of a non-Jewish woman and many people’s healing events, allowing you to see how Jesus’ ministry gradually expands beyond the Jews to also reach the Gentiles.
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.
The Structure of the Text
- Verses 1-23: Disputes about tradition and God’s commandments, outward cleanliness, and inward cleanliness
- Verses 24-30: The healing of a daughter through the faith of the Syrophoenician woman
- Verses 31-37: The event in which Jesus healed a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment
Key Message and Meaning
Chapter 7 emphasizes the importance of true cleanliness that comes from the heart—not faith that is bound by heritage and tradition. Jesus says that it is not outward actions (food, ceremonial washings) but thoughts and desires that originate in a person’s heart that ultimately determine what is truly unclean or clean. It also shows that, through Jesus’ encounter with a non-Jewish woman, God’s grace and salvation are open to everyone beyond ethnic boundaries.
Points to Reflect On
- In your faith life, are you checking your motives and thoughts in your heart rather than only outward actions?
- Is God’s love and grace not trapped inside your own standards or boundaries?
Apply It to Yourself
Today, as Jesus teaches, am I thinking about and putting into practice what true cleanliness is in my life? I come to realize that I need to learn to look at people through God’s perspective, without being bound by prejudice or tradition when dealing with others.
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