Matthew presents Jesus as the authoritative kingdom teacher whose Sermon on the Mount climaxes with warnings, discernment, and the demand for obedience.
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Matthew 7
Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder
Jesus closes the Sermon by demanding humble discernment, dependent prayer, narrow-way obedience, true fruit, and a life built on hearing and doing His authoritative words.
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Chapter Summary
Jesus closes the Sermon by demanding humble discernment, dependent prayer, narrow-way obedience, true fruit, and a life built on hearing and doing His authoritative words.
Overview
Matthew 7 argues that kingdom righteousness must become obedient discernment rather than mere admiration of Jesus' teaching. Jesus condemns hypocritical judgment while still requiring discernment. He calls disciples to ask, seek, and knock because the Father is good. He summarizes Scripture's ethical demand in active neighbor-love, then presses the hearer with decisive alternatives: narrow or broad gate, true or false prophet, obedient or empty profession, rock or sand.
The Sermon ends not with vague inspiration but with judgment, obedience, and the authority of Jesus' words.
Context
A Scripture-aware Jewish or Jewish-Christian audience familiar with Torah ethics, wisdom contrasts between two ways, prophetic warnings against false teachers, and covenant accountability.
Matthew 7 remains within the Sermon on the Mount, spoken primarily to Jesus' disciples with the crowds listening in the wider setting.
Jesus closes the Sermon by demanding humble discernment, dependent prayer, narrow-way obedience, true fruit, and a life built on hearing and doing His authoritative words.
Matthew presents Jesus as the authoritative kingdom teacher whose Sermon on the Mount climaxes with warnings, discernment, and the demand for obedience.
A Scripture-aware Jewish or Jewish-Christian audience familiar with Torah ethics, wisdom contrasts between two ways, prophetic warnings against false teachers, and covenant accountability.
Matthew 7 remains within the Sermon on the Mount, spoken primarily to Jesus' disciples with the crowds listening in the wider setting.
Social Pressure
- Disciples live amid religious comparison, communal correction, false prophetic claims, public religious performance, and competing ways of life. Jesus warns against both hypocritical judgment and naive lack of discernment.
Images of specks and planks, dogs and pigs, gates and roads, fruit trees, wolves in sheep's clothing, and houses built on rock or sand draw from ordinary life, wisdom tradition, and prophetic imagery.
Matthew 7 concludes the first major teaching block in Matthew. Jesus closes the kingdom righteousness discourse with urgent eschatological warnings and an authority claim centered on hearing and doing His words.
Chapter Movement
Matthew moves from humble judgment and self-examination, to prayerful dependence on the Father, to the Golden Rule, then to urgent warnings about the narrow way, false prophets, empty profession, and the need to build on Jesus' words.
Discourse Insight
Theological exposition and fulfillment
Matthew 7 clarifies the gospel by exposing the danger of self-righteous judgment, prayerless independence, broad-road religion, false spiritual authority, empty profession, and hearing without obedience. The gospel does not produce careless judgment or lawless profession. It brings disciples to the good Father through Jesus, forms them in active love, places them on the narrow way, and builds their lives on Christ's authoritative words.
Jesus is not merely a teacher to admire but the Lord and final judge who must know us and whose words must be obeyed.
Structural Flow
Jesus corrects hypocritical judgment while preserving the need for careful discernment.
Jesus calls disciples to persevering prayer rooted in the Father's goodness.
Jesus summarizes the Law and Prophets in active love toward others.
Jesus sets before hearers the narrow way to life and the broad way to destruction.
Jesus teaches disciples to recognize false prophets by their fruit.
Jesus warns that verbal profession and religious works without obedience are not saving evidence.
The Sermon closes by contrasting those who hear and do Jesus' words with those who hear and do not do them.
The crowd recognizes the unusual authority of Jesus' teaching.
Chapter Outline
- 7:1-5: Jesus forbids hypocritical judgment and commands disciples to address their own sin before correcting others.
- 7:6: Jesus warns that holy and precious things must not be cast before those who will trample and attack.
- 7:7-11: Disciples are to ask, seek, and knock, trusting the Father to give good gifts.
- 7:12: Jesus gives the Golden Rule as the relational summary of Scripture's ethical demand.
- 7:13-14: Jesus contrasts the broad road leading to destruction with the narrow road leading to life.
- 7:15-20: Jesus warns against deceptive religious leaders whose inward reality is revealed by fruit.
- 7:21-23: Jesus warns that calling Him Lord and doing impressive works does not replace doing the Father's will.
- 7:24-27: Jesus demands obedient response to His words as the only stable foundation.
- 7:28-29: The crowds are amazed because Jesus' teaching carries authority unlike the teachers of the law.
Theological Argument
Matthew 7 argues that kingdom righteousness must become obedient discernment rather than mere admiration of Jesus' teaching. Jesus condemns hypocritical judgment while still requiring discernment. He calls disciples to ask, seek, and knock because the Father is good. He summarizes Scripture's ethical demand in active neighbor-love, then presses the hearer with decisive alternatives: narrow or broad gate, true or false prophet, obedient or empty profession, rock or sand.
The Sermon ends not with vague inspiration but with judgment, obedience, and the authority of Jesus' words.
From self-examining discernment, to confident prayer, to Scripture-summarizing love, to the narrow way, to fruit inspection, to profession tested by obedience, to building on Jesus' words.
- 1.Kingdom disciples must reject hypocritical judgment.
- 2.Rejecting hypocrisy does not mean rejecting discernment.
- 3.Prayer depends on the Father's goodness.
- 4.The Law and Prophets require active neighbor-love.
- 5.The way to life is narrow and must be entered.
- 6.False prophets must be evaluated by fruit.
- 7.Verbal profession and impressive works do not replace obedience to the Father.
- 8.Hearing Jesus' words without obedience is foolish and ruinous.
- 9.Jesus teaches with unique authority.
Theological Focus
- Humble judgment
- Self Examination
- Discernment
- Prayer
- Fatherly goodness
- Golden Rule
- Law and Prophets
- Narrow gate
- Life and destruction
- False prophets
- Fruit Bearing
- True and false profession
- Doing the Father's will
- Jesus' authority
- Hearing and obeying
- Final judgment
- Wise and foolish foundations
- Judgment and Humility
- Prayerful Dependence
- The Good Father
- Law and Prophets Fulfilled in Love
- Two Ways
- False Prophecy
- Fruit
- Obedient Profession
- Jesus' Authority
- Final Accountability
- Christology
- Judgment
- Doctrine of God the Father
- Scripture
- Discipleship
- False Teaching
- Assurance
- Obedience
- Eschatology
Theological Themes
Jesus condemns hypocritical judgment that corrects others while ignoring one's own sin.
Jesus requires spiritual discernment regarding holy things, false prophets, fruit, and profession.
Disciples are to ask, seek, and knock because the Father is good and gives good gifts.
Jesus grounds prayer in the Father's greater goodness compared with earthly fathers.
The Golden Rule summarizes the ethical thrust of the Law and the Prophets in active neighbor-love.
The narrow gate and broad road present a wisdom and covenant choice between life and destruction.
False prophets may appear harmless but are inwardly destructive and must be known by fruit.
True spiritual reality is revealed by fruit, not merely appearance or claims.
Calling Jesus Lord must be joined to doing the Father's will.
The chapter closes by presenting Jesus' words as the decisive foundation for life.
Jesus speaks of judgment, destruction, rejection, and collapse, requiring sober response.
Covenant Significance
Matthew 7 closes the Sermon on the Mount by placing the hearer before covenant decision: two ways, true or false prophets, obedience or lawlessness, rock or sand. Jesus summarizes the Law and Prophets in active love, warns against false religious confidence, and requires doing the will of the Father. His words function as the authoritative covenant foundation for the kingdom community.
Old Testament Connections
- Matthew 7:12 - Jesus identifies active love toward others as the relational summary of the Law and the Prophets.
- Matthew 7:13-14 - The narrow and broad ways echo biblical two-way covenant and wisdom traditions of life and death.
- Matthew 7:15-20 - False prophets must be tested by fruit, continuing Old Testament concern for true and false prophecy.
- Matthew 7:21 - Entrance into the kingdom is tied not to verbal claims alone but to doing the will of the Father.
- Matthew 7:24-27 - Jesus places His own words as the foundation upon which life must be built, revealing His unique authority in the covenant community.
- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 - Moses sets before Israel life and death, blessing and curse, background for the narrow and broad ways.
- Psalm 1:1-6 - The way of the righteous and the way of the wicked provide wisdom background for Jesus' two-way warning.
- Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that appears right but ends in death, paralleling the broad road warning.
- Jeremiah 6:13-16 - False peace and refusal to walk in the good way illuminate Jesus' warnings about false prophets and the narrow road.
- Jeremiah 23:16-32 - The Lord condemns false prophets who mislead people by false visions and empty words.
- Ezekiel 13:1-16 - False prophets build flimsy walls, providing background for false security and collapse imagery.
- Isaiah 28:14-18 - The Lord speaks of a tested foundation stone in Zion, contrasting false refuge with secure foundation.
- Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Even sign-working figures must be tested by fidelity to the Lord, relevant to Matthew 7:22-23.
- Micah 6:8 - God's requirement of justice, mercy, and humble walking resonates with Jesus' ethical summary.
Canonical Connections
Jesus' narrow and broad ways stand within the biblical tradition of life and death, righteous and wicked, wisdom and folly.
The Golden Rule summarizes the relational intent of the Law and Prophets and anticipates Jesus' later summary through love for God and neighbor.
Jesus' warning continues Old Testament concern about prophets whose appearance, words, or signs mislead people away from God.
Fruit imagery reveals the inner nature of a person or teacher.
Jesus insists that true allegiance is shown by obedience to the Father's will.
Jesus' rejection of those He never knew draws on the biblical significance of being known by God.
Building on rock echoes biblical imagery of the Lord as secure foundation and refuge.
The crowds' amazement at Jesus' authority anticipates later displays of authority in teaching, healing, forgiveness, nature, demons, and final commission.
Cross References
Gospel Clarity
Matthew 7 clarifies the gospel by exposing the danger of self-righteous judgment, prayerless independence, broad-road religion, false spiritual authority, empty profession, and hearing without obedience. The gospel does not produce careless judgment or lawless profession. It brings disciples to the good Father through Jesus, forms them in active love, places them on the narrow way, and builds their lives on Christ's authoritative words.
Jesus is not merely a teacher to admire but the Lord and final judge who must know us and whose words must be obeyed.
Gospel Guardrails
- Humbling Grace - The plank and speck warning humbles self-righteous judgment and drives disciples toward repentance.
- Fatherly Goodness - The gospel brings believers to the Father who gives good gifts to those who ask.
- Active Love - The Golden Rule expresses kingdom love that fulfills the ethical direction of Scripture.
- Narrow Way - Jesus warns that the way to life is narrow, guarding against easy and false religion.
- True Fruit - The gospel produces fruit that reveals genuine life, not merely religious appearance.
- True Lordship - Calling Jesus Lord must be joined to doing the Father's will.
- Known by Christ - The most terrifying words are not 'You did too little,' but 'I never knew You.'
- Obedient Foundation - The secure life is built on hearing and doing Jesus' words.
- Do not use 'do not judge' to silence biblical discernment.
- Do not preach prayer as a blank check for selfish desire · the Father gives good gifts.
- Do not make the narrow way into works-righteousness · obedience is the evidence of true discipleship, not self-salvation.
- Do not evaluate spiritual reality by charisma, miracles, or claims alone.
- Do not give false assurance based only on verbal profession.
- Do not preach the Sermon on the Mount as optional idealism · Jesus requires hearing and doing.
- Do not separate Jesus as Savior from Jesus as Lord and Judge.
- Do not crush tender believers with Matthew 7 without also directing them to the good Father and the sure foundation of Christ.
Primary Emphasis
Matthew 7 presents Jesus as the authoritative judge, revealer of the Father, interpreter of the Law and Prophets, discerner of true and false disciples, and the foundation-giving Lord whose words must be obeyed. The chapter's highest Christological force appears when Jesus says He will declare to false professors, 'I never knew You,' and when He identifies obedience to His words as the difference between stability and ruin.
Chapter Contribution
Matthew 7 argues that kingdom righteousness must become obedient discernment rather than mere admiration of Jesus' teaching. Jesus condemns hypocritical judgment while still requiring discernment. He calls disciples to ask, seek, and knock because the Father is good. He summarizes Scripture's ethical demand in active neighbor-love, then presses the hearer with decisive alternatives: narrow or broad gate, true or false prophet, obedient or empty profession, rock or sand.
The Sermon ends not with vague inspiration but with judgment, obedience, and the authority of Jesus' words.
Doctrines in This Chapter
Jesus warns against false assurance grounded in verbal profession, ministry activity, or spiritual power rather than true belonging to Him.
Jesus teaches with personal divine authority, demanding obedience to His words as the foundation of true wisdom.
Jesus does not forbid helping a brother with a real speck; He requires humility, clarity, and prior repentance.
Kingdom disciples must distinguish humble correction from foolishly offering holy things to hardened contempt.
The way of life is hard because following Jesus requires repentance, obedience, endurance, and allegiance to the King.
False prophets may appear religiously harmless while inwardly being destructive, requiring careful discernment by fruit.
The Father is good, generous, and trustworthy toward His children, surpassing even flawed human parental care.
Hypocrisy magnifies another's sin while refusing to deal honestly with one's own greater fault.
Fruitless trees are cut down and false professors are rejected, showing the eternal seriousness of religious deception.
The storm exposes the true foundation of a person's life, anticipating final accountability before God.
Jesus presents entrance into the kingdom as urgent and decisive, not automatic through proximity to His teaching.
Jesus identifies this neighborward ethic as a summary of the ethical demand of Scripture.
Jesus is the final judge who determines entrance, exposes lawlessness, and declares whether He knows a person.
The Golden Rule commands active neighbor-love, doing the good to others that one would rightly desire for oneself.
Doing the Father's will is the evidence of true kingdom allegiance, not the basis of self-earned salvation.
The hard road implies continuing faithfulness, not a momentary interest in Jesus' words.
Jesus calls disciples to persistent prayer marked by asking, seeking, and knocking before the Father.
God gives good gifts according to His wisdom and goodness, not according to manipulative human demand.
Self-examination and repentance are necessary before offering correction to another person.
Life is found only on the way appointed by the King, not on the popular road of ease, self-rule, or external religion.
Wisdom is defined by obedient response to Christ, while folly hears the same word without building life upon it.
Doctrinal Weight
Jesus speaks as authoritative teacher, Lord, final judge, and foundation of life.
Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment and speaks of final rejection and destruction.
Disciples are commanded to ask, seek, and knock before the good Father.
The Father gives good gifts to those who ask and exceeds earthly parents in goodness.
The Golden Rule is presented as the summary of the Law and the Prophets.
True discipleship involves humble self-examination, prayer, active love, discernment, obedience, and building on Jesus' words.
False prophets may appear harmless but are inwardly destructive and must be known by fruit.
Assurance must not rest on verbal profession or religious activity alone, but on being known by Christ and doing the Father's will.
Hearing Jesus' words must result in doing them; otherwise collapse is certain.
The chapter includes final realities of life, destruction, kingdom entrance, rejection, and judgment.
Reading Lenses
Theological exposition and fulfillment
- Matthew 7 clarifies the gospel by exposing the danger of self-righteous judgment, prayerless independence, broad-road religion, false spiritual authority, empty profession, and hearing without obedience. The gospel does not produce careless judgment or lawless profession. It brings disciples to the good Father through Jesus, forms them in active love, places them on the narrow way, and builds their lives on Christ's authoritative words. Jesus is not merely a teacher to admire but the Lord and final judge who must know us and whose words must be obeyed.
Key Greek Terms
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense to judge, evaluate, condemn
Definition To judge, decide, evaluate, or condemn depending on context.
References Matthew 7:1
Lexicon to judge, evaluate, condemn
Why it matters Jesus forbids hypocritical judgment while preserving discernment elsewhere in the chapter.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense measure, standard
Definition A measure, standard, or measuring instrument.
References Matthew 7:2
Lexicon measure, standard
Why it matters Jesus warns that the standard used on others will be measured back.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense speck, small piece of dry matter
Definition A small dry particle, twig, or speck.
References Matthew 7:3-5
Lexicon speck, small piece of dry matter
Why it matters The speck represents a smaller fault noticed in another while larger personal sin is ignored.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense beam, plank, large piece of timber
Definition A beam or plank of wood.
References Matthew 7:3-5
Lexicon beam, plank, large piece of timber
Why it matters The plank exposes the absurdity of correcting others while ignoring one's own larger sin.
Form in passage Vocative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense hypocrite, actor, pretender
Definition One who performs a role or pretends outwardly.
References Matthew 7:5
Lexicon hypocrite, actor, pretender
Why it matters Jesus identifies unrepentant correction of others as hypocrisy.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense holy, set apart, sacred
Definition Set apart, sacred, or belonging to God.
References Matthew 7:6
Lexicon holy, set apart, sacred
Why it matters Jesus requires discernment in handling what is holy before hardened opposition.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense pearls
Definition Precious pearls or valuable objects.
References Matthew 7:6
Lexicon pearls
Why it matters Pearls represent what is precious and not to be trampled by hostile hearers.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense ask, request
Definition To ask, request, or petition.
References Matthew 7:7-11
Lexicon ask, request
Why it matters Jesus commands disciples to ask the Father in prayer.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense seek, pursue, search
Definition To seek, search for, or pursue.
References Matthew 7:7-8
Lexicon seek, pursue, search
Why it matters Jesus calls for active, persevering pursuit before the Father.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense knock
Definition To knock at a door.
References Matthew 7:7-8
Lexicon knock
Why it matters The image emphasizes persevering prayerful approach.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense good things, good gifts
Definition Things that are good, beneficial, or morally fitting.
References Matthew 7:11
Lexicon good things, good gifts
Why it matters The Father gives what is good, not necessarily every selfish request.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Father
Definition God as Father of Jesus' disciples.
References Matthew 7:11
Lexicon Father
Why it matters Prayer rests on the heavenly Father's goodness and generosity.
Individual words πάντες οἱ προφῆται καὶ ὁ νόμος pantes hoi prophētai kai ho nomos · ἡ ἀποκτείνουσα τοὺς προφήτας hē apokteinousa tous prophētas
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Law and Prophets, Scripture
Definition A summary expression for the Old Testament Scriptures.
References Matthew 7:12
Lexicon Law and Prophets, Scripture
Why it matters Jesus says the Golden Rule sums up the ethical demand of the Law and Prophets.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense narrow, constricted, hard
Definition Narrow or constricted; pressed or difficult.
References Matthew 7:13-14
Lexicon narrow, constricted, hard
Why it matters Jesus describes the way to life as narrow and difficult, opposing easy broad-road religion.
Form in passage Genitive · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense gate, entrance
Definition A gate or entrance.
References Matthew 7:13-14
Lexicon gate, entrance
Why it matters The gate imagery frames the decision of entrance into the way that leads to life or destruction.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense destruction, ruin, perdition
Definition Destruction, ruin, or loss.
References Matthew 7:13
Lexicon destruction, ruin, perdition
Why it matters The broad road leads to destruction, giving eschatological urgency to Jesus' warning.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense life
Definition Life, especially true life under God.
References Matthew 7:14
Lexicon life
Why it matters The narrow road leads to life, the promised end of true discipleship.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense false prophets
Definition Those who falsely claim to speak for God.
References Matthew 7:15
Lexicon false prophets
Why it matters Jesus warns that false prophets are dangerous and deceptive.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense wolves
Definition Predatory animals used metaphorically for destructive leaders.
References Matthew 7:15
Lexicon wolves
Why it matters False prophets may appear sheep-like but are inwardly predatory.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense fruit, produce, visible result
Definition Fruit or outcome, often metaphorical for deeds and character.
References Matthew 7:16-20
Lexicon fruit, produce, visible result
Why it matters Fruit reveals the true nature of prophets and disciples.
Individual words σαπρὸν δένδρον sapron dendron · πλουτεῖν ἐν ἔργοις καλοῖς ploutein en ergois kalois
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense good tree
Definition A healthy or good tree producing good fruit.
References Matthew 7:17-19
Lexicon good tree
Why it matters Jesus uses tree imagery to show that inner nature is revealed by outward fruit.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense bad, rotten, diseased tree
Definition Rotten, bad, corrupt, or diseased.
References Matthew 7:17-19
Lexicon bad, rotten, diseased tree
Why it matters Bad fruit exposes corrupt nature and leads to judgment.
Form in passage Vocative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense Lord, master
Definition Lord, master, or one with authority.
References Matthew 7:21-22
Lexicon Lord, master
Why it matters Calling Jesus Lord is not sufficient without doing the Father's will.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense will, desire, purpose
Definition Will, desire, or purpose.
References Matthew 7:21
Lexicon will, desire, purpose
Why it matters Doing the Father's will marks true kingdom entrance.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 1st Person · Plural What is this?
Sense to prophesy
Definition To speak prophetically or claim prophetic speech.
References Matthew 7:22
Lexicon to prophesy
Why it matters Prophetic activity claims do not prove saving relationship with Jesus.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense demons
Definition Evil spirits or demonic beings.
References Matthew 7:22
Lexicon demons
Why it matters Even claims of casting out demons do not substitute for obedience and being known by Christ.
Form in passage Accusative · Plural · Feminine What is this?
Sense mighty works, miracles, powers
Definition Powerful works or miracles.
References Matthew 7:22
Lexicon mighty works, miracles, powers
Why it matters Impressive religious works are not the same as true discipleship.
Individual words οὐδέποτε ἐντολήν σου παρῆλθον oudepote entolēn sou parēlthon · ἐν ὥρᾳ ᾗ οὐ γινώσκει en hōra hē ou ginōskei
Sense I never knew you
Definition A declaration of no saving relationship or recognition.
References Matthew 7:23
Lexicon I never knew you
Why it matters The decisive issue is being known by Christ, not merely claiming works in His name.
Individual words καλὸν ποιοῦντες / ἐργαζώμεθα τὸ ἀγαθόν kalon poiountes / ergazōmetha to agathon · τοὺς ποιοῦντας τὴν ἀνομίαν tous poiountas tēn anomian
Form in passage Present · Middle · Participle · Plural What is this?
Sense workers of lawlessness
Definition Those who practice lawlessness or rebellion against God's will.
References Matthew 7:23
Lexicon workers of lawlessness
Why it matters Jesus rejects religious workers whose lives are marked by lawlessness.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense hears, listens
Definition To hear or listen.
References Matthew 7:24, 7:26
Lexicon hears, listens
Why it matters Both wise and foolish builders hear Jesus' words; the difference is obedience.
Form in passage Present · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense does, practices, obeys
Definition To do, practice, or carry out.
References Matthew 7:24, 7:26
Lexicon does, practices, obeys
Why it matters Doing Jesus' words distinguishes the wise builder from the foolish hearer.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense wise, prudent, sensible
Definition Wise, prudent, thoughtful, or sensible.
References Matthew 7:24
Lexicon wise, prudent, sensible
Why it matters Wisdom is hearing and obeying Jesus' words.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense rock, bedrock
Definition Rock or rocky foundation.
References Matthew 7:24-25
Lexicon rock, bedrock
Why it matters The rock represents the stable foundation of obedient response to Jesus' words.
Form in passage Dative · Singular · Masculine What is this?
Sense foolish, senseless
Definition Foolish, dull, or morally senseless.
References Matthew 7:26
Lexicon foolish, senseless
Why it matters Foolishness is hearing Jesus' words without doing them.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense sand
Definition Sand or loose ground.
References Matthew 7:26
Lexicon sand
Why it matters Sand represents unstable hearing without obedience.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense authority, right, power
Definition Authority, right, or delegated power.
References Matthew 7:29
Lexicon authority, right, power
Why it matters The crowds recognize that Jesus teaches with unique authority.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense be judged, be condemned
Definition To be judged or evaluated under judgment.
References Matthew 7:1
Lexicon be judged, be condemned
Why it matters Jesus warns that judgmental posture invites judgment back upon the judge.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 2nd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense see clearly
Definition To see clearly or regain clear sight.
References Matthew 7:5
Lexicon see clearly
Why it matters Self-repentance restores clarity for helping others.
Form in passage Dative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense dogs
Definition Dogs; in this image, hostile or unclean scavenging animals.
References Matthew 7:6
Lexicon dogs
Why it matters The image calls for discernment before hardened hostility toward holy things.
Form in passage Genitive · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense pigs, swine
Definition Pigs or swine.
References Matthew 7:6
Lexicon pigs, swine
Why it matters The image intensifies the need not to place what is precious before those who trample it.
Form in passage Future · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense trample underfoot
Definition To trample, tread down, or treat with contempt.
References Matthew 7:6
Lexicon trample underfoot
Why it matters Jesus warns that holy truth may be contemptuously trampled by hardened hearers.
Form in passage Future · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense will be opened
Definition To open.
References Matthew 7:7-8
Lexicon will be opened
Why it matters Jesus promises response to persevering prayer using the image of a door opened.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense evil, morally flawed
Definition Evil, wicked, or morally bad.
References Matthew 7:11
Lexicon evil, morally flawed
Why it matters Jesus contrasts flawed earthly parents with the greater goodness of the heavenly Father.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense do to them
Definition To do, practice, or act toward others.
References Matthew 7:12
Lexicon do to them
Why it matters The Golden Rule is active, not merely a call to avoid harm.
Sense broad, wide
Definition Broad or wide.
References Matthew 7:13
Lexicon broad, wide
Why it matters The broad road is spacious and popular but leads to destruction.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense many
Definition Many or numerous.
References Matthew 7:13
Lexicon many
Why it matters Jesus warns that many enter the broad way, challenging majority-based spiritual confidence.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense few
Definition Few or small in number.
References Matthew 7:14
Lexicon few
Why it matters Few find the narrow road, emphasizing the seriousness of Jesus' call.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense beware, pay attention, be on guard
Definition To pay attention to, guard against, or beware.
References Matthew 7:15
Lexicon beware, pay attention, be on guard
Why it matters Jesus commands active vigilance against false prophets.
Form in passage Dative · Plural · Neuter What is this?
Sense sheep's clothing
Definition The appearance or covering of sheep.
References Matthew 7:15
Lexicon sheep's clothing
Why it matters False prophets may look harmless, gentle, or belonging to the flock.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense ravenous, greedy, predatory
Definition Ravenous, extortionate, grasping, or predatory.
References Matthew 7:15
Lexicon ravenous, greedy, predatory
Why it matters Jesus reveals the inward destructive nature hidden beneath false prophetic appearance.
Form in passage Future · Middle · Indicative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense recognize, know fully
Definition To recognize, know, or perceive.
References Matthew 7:16, 7:20
Lexicon recognize, know fully
Why it matters Jesus says false prophets are recognizable by fruit.
Form in passage Present · Passive · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense cut down
Definition To cut out, cut off, or cut down.
References Matthew 7:19
Lexicon cut down
Why it matters Fruitless bad trees face judgment.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Neuter What is this?
Sense fire
Definition Fire, often used in judgment imagery.
References Matthew 7:19
Lexicon fire
Why it matters Fire intensifies the judgment warning against bad fruit.
Form in passage Future · Middle · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense enter
Definition To enter or go in.
References Matthew 7:21
Lexicon enter
Why it matters Jesus speaks of entering the kingdom, not merely claiming association with it.
Individual words βασιλείαν ἀσάλευτον basileian asaleuton · βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν basileia tōn ouranōn
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense kingdom of heaven
Definition God's reign and saving kingdom.
References Matthew 7:21
Lexicon kingdom of heaven
Why it matters Jesus warns that not all who verbally claim Him enter the kingdom.
Form in passage Present · Active · Imperative · 2nd Person · Plural What is this?
Sense depart, go away
Definition To go away or depart.
References Matthew 7:23
Lexicon depart, go away
Why it matters Jesus' command to depart is a final rejection of false professors.
Form in passage Accusative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense house
Definition A house or dwelling.
References Matthew 7:24-27
Lexicon house
Why it matters The house represents a life constructed on either obedience or disobedience to Jesus' words.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense rain
Definition Rainfall.
References Matthew 7:25, 7:27
Lexicon rain
Why it matters Rain begins the storm imagery testing the house's foundation.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense rivers, floods
Definition Rivers or streams, here floodwaters.
References Matthew 7:25, 7:27
Lexicon rivers, floods
Why it matters Flood imagery represents testing that reveals the stability or instability of the foundation.
Form in passage Aorist · Active · Indicative · 3rd Person · Singular What is this?
Sense fell, collapsed
Definition To fall or collapse.
References Matthew 7:27
Lexicon fell, collapsed
Why it matters The foolish builder's collapse is the consequence of hearing without obedience.
Form in passage Nominative · Singular · Feminine What is this?
Sense great
Definition Great, large, or severe.
References Matthew 7:27
Lexicon great
Why it matters The fall of the house is not minor; Jesus describes it as great.
Sense amazed, astonished, overwhelmed
Definition To be amazed or struck with astonishment.
References Matthew 7:28
Lexicon amazed, astonished, overwhelmed
Why it matters The crowds are astonished by the authority of Jesus' teaching.
Form in passage Nominative · Plural · Masculine What is this?
Sense scribes, teachers of the law
Definition Experts in Scripture and legal interpretation.
References Matthew 7:29
Lexicon scribes, teachers of the law
Why it matters Jesus' authority is contrasted with that of the scribes.
Key Hebrew Terms
Sense to judge, govern, decide
Definition To judge, decide, govern, or execute justice.
References Matthew 7:1
Lexicon to judge, govern, decide
Why it matters Jesus' teaching on judgment must be read in light of biblical justice and the danger of hypocritical condemnation.
Form in passage Qal · Sequential imperfect · 2nd Person · Masculine · Singular What is this?
Sense to ask, request, inquire
Definition To ask, request, or inquire.
References Psalm 2:8; Matthew 7:7
Lexicon to ask, request, inquire
Why it matters The biblical pattern of asking the Lord stands behind Jesus' command to ask the Father.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Form in passage Qal · Sequential imperfect · 2nd Person · Masculine · Plural What is this?
Sense to seek, inquire, pursue
Definition To seek, inquire of, or pursue.
References Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7
Lexicon to seek, inquire, pursue
Why it matters Jesus' command to seek fits the biblical call to seek the Lord and His ways.
Sense way, path, road
Definition A path, road, way of life, or moral course.
References Psalm 1:6; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 7:13-14
Lexicon way, path, road
Why it matters The narrow and broad roads echo biblical two-way traditions of righteousness and wickedness.
Sense life
Definition Life, living, or fullness of life.
References Deuteronomy 30:19; Matthew 7:14
Lexicon life
Why it matters The road to life draws on biblical covenant choice between life and death.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Sense false prophet, lying prophet
Definition A prophet who speaks falsely or misleads people away from God.
References Jeremiah 23:16; Matthew 7:15
Lexicon false prophet, lying prophet
Why it matters Jesus' warning about false prophets continues Old Testament prophetic discernment concerns.
Sense fruit, produce
Definition Fruit, produce, or result.
References Psalm 1:3; Isaiah 5:1-7; Matthew 7:16-20
Lexicon fruit, produce
Why it matters Fruit imagery in Scripture often reveals the true condition of a person or people.
Sense to know, recognize, relationally know
Definition To know, perceive, recognize, or know relationally.
References Nahum 1:7; Matthew 7:23
Lexicon to know, recognize, relationally know
Why it matters Jesus' 'I never knew You' carries covenantal and relational weight.
Sense iniquity, guilt, perversity
Definition Iniquity, guilt, crookedness, or moral rebellion.
References Psalm 6:8; Matthew 7:23
Lexicon iniquity, guilt, perversity
Why it matters Workers of lawlessness are rejected despite religious claims.
Sense rock, refuge, strength
Definition Rock, cliff, strength, or refuge.
References Psalm 18:2; Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 7:24-25
Lexicon rock, refuge, strength
Why it matters Rock imagery in Scripture communicates security and stability, illuminating Jesus' foundation metaphor.
Sense wisdom, skillful living
Definition Wisdom, skill, or rightly ordered life under God.
References Proverbs 9:1-12; Matthew 7:24
Lexicon wisdom, skillful living
Why it matters The wise builder embodies biblical wisdom by hearing and doing Jesus' words.
Cross-language bridge 1 link · View in lexicon
Lexicon data: MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML (CC0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (CC BY 4.0) · Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon (CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible Data (CC BY 4.0) · Full details
Discourse Connectives (28)
grounds / explanation 5inference / conclusion 3strong contrast / correction 1purpose clause 2conditional (subjunctive / open) 4content marker or causal 2continuation or mild contrast 5negative additive 1additive / emphatic 5
| v.1 | ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...' |
| v.2 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.3 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.δὲandcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.8 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.9 | ἐὰνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.10 | ἐὰνifconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...' |
| v.11 | εἰIfconditional clauseAsk whether Paul treats the 'if' as assumed true (1st class) or merely hypothetical.οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.12 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff.ἐὰνmaybeconditional (subjunctive / open)ἐάν + subjunctive signals an open condition: 'if (as may be the case)...'ἵναthatpurpose clauseἵνα clauses often contain the theological payoff: 'so that God might...'γάρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.13 | ὅτιForcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.15 | δὲnowcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast.δέhowevercontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.17 | δὲbutcontinuation or mild contrastNote where δέ appears in a μέν...δέ pair — that structure is a deliberate contrast. |
| v.18 | οὐδὲnor [is able]negative additiveοὐδέ in a list builds rhetorical force — each addition strengthens the overall negation. |
| v.21 | ἀλλ᾽butstrong contrast / correctionAsk: what is being set aside? What is being asserted instead? |
| v.23 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.ὅτιthatcontent marker or causalIf ὅτι follows a verb of speaking/knowing/believing, it introduces content. If it follows a statement, it introduces a reason. |
| v.24 | οὖνthereforeinference / conclusionAsk: what has Paul argued up to this point? 'Therefore' is the payoff. |
| v.25 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together.γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
| v.26 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.27 | καὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.28 | ΚαὶAndadditive / emphaticClause-initial καί in Paul often links equal-weight clauses that should be read together. |
| v.29 | γὰρforgrounds / explanationAsk: what claim is this 'for' grounding? That claim is the main point. |
Discourse data: STEPBible TAGNT (CC BY 4.0)
Verb Aspect (94 main verbs)
completed 18ongoing 15prospective 21resultant 2imperative 10subjunctive 7background 1infinitive 4participle 16
| v.1 | κρίνετεkrínōjudgepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationκριθῆτεkrínōjudgedaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.2 | κρίνετεkrínōjudgepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκριθήσεσθεkrínōjudgedfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionμετρεῖτεmetréōmeasure outpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthμετρηθήσεταιmetréōmeasuredfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.3 | βλέπειςlook atpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκατανοεῖςkatanoéōnoticepresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.4 | ἐρεῖςeréōsayfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἌφεςletaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐκβάλωekbállōtakeaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.5 | ἔκβαλεekbállōtakeaorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδιαβλέψειςdiablépōsee clearlyfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐκβαλεῖνekbállōremoveaorist active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.6 | δῶτεdídōmigiveaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentβάλητεthrowaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentκαταπατήσουσινkatapatéōtramplefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionστραφέντεςstréphōturnaorist passive participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionῥήξωσινrhḗgnymitear ~ topiecesaorist active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingent |
| v.7 | Αἰτεῖτεaskpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationδοθήσεταιdídōmigivenfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionζητεῖτεzētéōseekpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationεὑρήσετεheurískōfindfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionκρούετεkroúōknockpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀνοιγήσεταιopenedfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.8 | αἰτῶνaskspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionλαμβάνειlambánōreceivespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthζητῶνzētéōseekspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεὑρίσκειheurískōfindspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthκρούοντιkroúōknockspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἀνοιγήσεταιopenedfuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.9 | αἰτήσειasks forfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐπιδώσειepidídōmigivefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.10 | αἰτήσειasksfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐπιδώσειepidídōmigivefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.11 | οἴδατεeídōknowperfect active indicativeresultantPerfect indicative — completed action with present resultδιδόναιdídōmigivepresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbδώσειdídōmigivefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionαἰτοῦσινaskpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.12 | θέλητεthélōwantpresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentποιῶσινpoiéōdopresent active subjunctivesubjunctiveSubjunctive mood — conditional, purpose, or contingentποιεῖτεpoiéōdopresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortation |
| v.13 | Εἰσέλθατεeisérchomaienteraorist active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἀπάγουσαleadspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἰσερχόμενοιeisérchomaienterpresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.14 | ἀπάγουσαleadspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεὑρίσκοντεςheurískōfindpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.15 | Προσέχετεproséchōbewarepresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἔρχονταιérchomaicomepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.16 | ἐπιγνώσεσθεepiginṓskōrecognizefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionσυλλέγουσινsyllégōgatheredpresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.17 | ποιεῖpoiéōbearspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthποιεῖpoiéōbearspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.18 | δύναταιdýnamaiablepresent middle indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthποιεῖνpoiéōbearpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verbποιεῖνpoiéōbearpresent active infinitiveinfinitiveInfinitive — verbal noun or complementary verb |
| v.19 | ποιοῦνpoiéōbearpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionἐκκόπτεταιekkóptōcut downpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthβάλλεταιthrownpresent passive indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truth |
| v.20 | ἐπιγνώσεσθεepiginṓskōrecognizefuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised action |
| v.21 | λέγωνlégōsayspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionεἰσελεύσεταιeisérchomaienterfuture middle indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionποιῶνpoiéōdoespresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.22 | ἐροῦσίνeréōsayfuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἐπροφητεύσαμενprophēteúōprophesyaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐξεβάλομενekbállōcast outaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐποιήσαμενpoiéōdoaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.23 | ὁμολογήσωhomologéōdeclarefuture active indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionἔγνωνginṓskōknewaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἀποχωρεῖτεdepartpresent active imperativeimperativeImperative mood — command or exhortationἐργαζόμενοιergázomaipracticepresent middle participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
| v.24 | ἀκούειhearspresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthποιεῖpoiéōdoespresent active indicativeongoingPresent indicative — ongoing, habitual, or general truthὁμοιωθήσεταιhomoióōbe likefuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionᾠκοδόμησενoikodoméōbuiltaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.25 | κατέβηkatabaínōfellaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἦλθονérchomaicameaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔπνευσανpnéōblewaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπροσέπεσανprospíptōbeat onaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔπεσενpíptōfallaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionτεθεμελίωτοthemelióōfoundedpluperfect passive indicativeresultantPluperfect — action completed before another past action |
| v.26 | ἀκούωνhearspresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionποιῶνpoiéōdopresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting actionὁμοιωθήσεταιhomoióōbe likefuture passive indicativeprospectiveFuture indicative — anticipated or promised actionᾠκοδόμησενoikodoméōbuiltaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.27 | κατέβηkatabaínōfellaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἦλθονérchomaicameaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔπνευσανpnéōblewaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionπροσέκοψανproskóptōbeat againstaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἔπεσενpíptōfellaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed action |
| v.28 | ἐγένετοgínomaihappenedaorist middle indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐτέλεσενteléōfinishedaorist active indicativecompletedAorist indicative — punctiliar or completed actionἐξεπλήσσοντοekplḗssōastonishedimperfect passive indicativebackgroundImperfect indicative — continuous or repeated past action |
| v.29 | ἔχωνéchōhadpresent active participleparticipleParticiple — verbal adjective, supporting action |
Verb forms indicate aspect — not interpretive weight. Consult context before drawing conclusions about emphasis.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain
Formation Focus
Matthew 7 forms readers to respond rightly to Jesus' kingdom teaching through humble self-examination, prayerful dependence, active love, narrow-way obedience, fruit-based discernment, and life built on His authoritative words.
The chapter presses the church to avoid judgmental hypocrisy, shallow profession, false teaching, broad-road religion, and hearing without obedience.
Humility, discernment, perseverance in prayer, trust in the Father, active love, courage to walk the narrow way, fruitfulness, obedience, and stability in Christ's words.
Practice Response
- Begin correction with confession.
- Practice wise discernment.
- Pray persistently.
- Apply the Golden Rule concretely.
- Examine Your road.
- Inspect fruit.
- Test profession by obedience.
- Build on obedience.
Warnings and Misreadings
- Matthew 7 is one of the Sermon's strongest warning chapters. Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, undiscerning handling of holy things, choosing the broad road to destruction, trusting false prophets, mistaking religious words and works for obedience, and hearing His teaching without doing it. The chapter ends with images of destruction, rejection, and a great collapse.
- Using 'do not judge' to forbid all moral discernment. - Jesus forbids hypocritical, self-righteous judgment, but He also commands discernment about dogs, pigs, false prophets, fruit, and false profession.
- Ignoring the plank while focusing on everyone else's specks. - Jesus requires self-examination and repentance before correction of others.
- Using Matthew 7:6 to justify contempt for people. - The verse calls for discernment in the face of hardened hostility, not arrogant dismissal of people made in God's image.
- Treating ask, seek, knock as a guarantee that God gives whatever one wants. - Jesus grounds prayer in the Father's goodness, meaning He gives good gifts, not necessarily every demanded outcome.
- Reducing the Golden Rule to generic niceness. - Jesus presents it as a summary of the Law and Prophets, requiring active, Scripture-shaped love.
- Assuming the narrow gate refers to elitism or sectarian pride. - The narrow gate is the demanding way of kingdom discipleship under Jesus, not pride in belonging to a superior group.
- Evaluating false prophets only by charisma, popularity, or miracle claims. - Jesus says they are known by fruit, not appearance or impressive claims.
- Assuming 'Lord, Lord' proves saving faith. - Jesus warns that verbal profession without doing the Father's will is insufficient.
- Assuming miraculous works necessarily prove divine approval. - Matthew 7:22-23 warns that prophecy, exorcisms, and miracles can be claimed by those Jesus calls evildoers.
- Making obedience the meritorious ground of salvation. - Jesus presents obedience as the necessary evidence and response of true discipleship, not self-salvation apart from grace.
- Admiring the Sermon without obeying it. - Jesus says the wise person hears and does His words · hearing without doing is ruinous.
Discipleship Questions
- Where am I using judgment of others to avoid repentance over my own sin?
- What plank must be addressed before I try to remove someone else's speck?
- Do I confuse humility with lack of discernment?
- When do I need wisdom not to keep casting holy truth before hardened contempt?
- Am I asking, seeking, and knocking with confidence in the Father's goodness?
- Do I treat the Father as more generous than earthly parents, or less?
- Do I practice the Golden Rule actively, or only avoid doing obvious harm?
- Am I walking the narrow road or drifting with the broad way?
- What fruit is visible in my life, teaching, relationships, and priorities?
- Do I evaluate spiritual leaders by biblical fruit or by charisma and platform?
- Could I be relying on religious words or works while neglecting obedience to the Father?
- Is Jesus' lordship something I confess only with my mouth or obey with my life?
- Am I building my life on hearing and doing Jesus' words, or hearing and admiring only?
Pastoral Applications
- Self_examination - Before correcting others, believers must examine their own sin honestly before God.
- Church_correction - Jesus does not eliminate correction · He purifies it from hypocrisy so it can be done with clarity and humility.
- Discernment - The church must recover discernment without becoming cynical, harsh, or contemptuous.
- Prayer - Disciples should persist in prayer because the Father is good, attentive, and generous.
- Relationships - The Golden Rule calls disciples into proactive love, not merely passive avoidance of harm.
- Evangelism - The narrow gate must be proclaimed honestly · easy, broad-road religion is spiritually dangerous.
- Leadership - Teachers, prophets, and leaders must be evaluated by fruit, not by appearance, claims, or impressive activity.
- Assurance - True assurance must not rest on verbal profession or religious activity alone, but on being known by Christ and doing the Father's will.
- Obedience - The Sermon on the Mount is not meant to be admired from a distance but obeyed as Jesus' authoritative word.
- Preaching - Matthew 7 must be preached with its warnings intact, pressing hearers toward repentance, discernment, prayer, obedience, and building on Christ.
- Counseling - This chapter helps diagnose judgmentalism, prayerlessness, lack of discernment, false assurance, and unstable foundations.
Pastoral Trajectories
Jesus redirects the judging eye inward before correction moves outward.
Disciples must not confuse love with lack of spiritual judgment.
Jesus calls disciples to ask, seek, and knock because the Father is good.
The Golden Rule calls disciples to do good proactively.
Jesus warns that the popular road leads to destruction while the narrow road leads to life.
False prophets are not discerned by clothing but by fruit.
Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' belongs to Jesus.
The wise builder hears and does Jesus' words.
The final test reveals whether life was built on obedience to Christ or empty hearing.
The Biblical World
Chapter At A Glance
Matthew moves from humble judgment and self-examination, to prayerful dependence on the Father, to the Golden Rule, then to urgent warnings about the narrow way, false prophets, empty profession, and the need to build on Jesus' words.
Matthew 7 closes the Sermon on the Mount by placing the hearer before covenant decision: two ways, true or false prophets, obedience or lawlessness, rock or sand. Jesus summarizes the Law and Prophets in active love, warns against false religious confidence, and requires doing the will of the Father. His words function as the authoritative covenant foundation for the kingdom community.
Matthew 7 clarifies the gospel by exposing the danger of self-righteous judgment, prayerless independence, broad-road religion, false spiritual authority, empty profession, and hearing without obedience. The gospel does not produce careless judgment or lawless profession. It brings disciples to the good Father through Jesus, forms them in active love, places them on the narrow way, and builds their lives on Christ's authoritative words.
Jesus is not merely a teacher to admire but the Lord and final judge who must know us and whose words must be obeyed.
Humility, discernment, perseverance in prayer, trust in the Father, active love, courage to walk the narrow way, fruitfulness, obedience, and stability in Christ's words.
Focus Points
- Humble judgment
- Self-examination
- Discernment
- Prayer
- Fatherly goodness
- Golden Rule
- Law and Prophets
- Narrow gate
- Life and destruction
- False prophets
- Fruit-bearing
- True and false profession
- Doing the Father's will
- Jesus' authority
- Hearing and obeying
- Final judgment
- Wise and foolish foundations
- Judgment and Humility
- Prayerful Dependence
- The Good Father
- Law and Prophets Fulfilled in Love
- Two Ways
- False Prophecy
- Fruit
- Obedient Profession
- Final Accountability
- Christology
- Judgment
- Doctrine of God the Father
- Scripture
- Discipleship
- False Teaching
- Assurance
- Obedience
- Eschatology
Explore Further
Cross References
“ ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of Your people; but You shall love Your neighbor as Yourself. I am Yahweh.
OldTestamentFoundation
If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among You, and He gives You a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which He spoke to You, saying, “Let’s go after other gods” (which You have not known) “and let’s serve them,” You shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for Yahweh Your God is testing...
OldTestamentFoundation
Behold, I have set before You today life and prosperity, and death and evil. For I command You today to love Yahweh Your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, that You may live and multiply, and that Yahweh Your God may bless You in the land where You go in to possess it. But if Your heart turns away, and...
OldTestamentFoundation
Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but His delight is in Yahweh’s law. On His law He meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever He does shall...
OldTestamentFoundation
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
ThemeParallel
Yahweh of Armies says, “Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to You. They teach You vanity. They speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh. They say continually to those who despise me, ‘Yahweh has said, “You will have peace;” ’ and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of His own heart they say, ‘No evil...
OldTestamentFoundation
Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who prophesy, and say to those who prophesy out of their own heart, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word: The Lord Yahweh says, “Woe to the foolish prophets, who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!
ThemeParallel
Therefore the Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone of a sure foundation. He who believes shall not act hastily.
ThemeParallel
For I tell You that unless Your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way You will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
ImmediateContext
Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy. Let Your Kingdom come. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.
ImmediateContext
“Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can You, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of His good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of His evil...
SameBook
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, He is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
SameBook
Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell You to observe, observe and do, but don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do.
SameBook
Jesus answered them, “Be careful that no one leads You astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that You aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.
SameBook
Don’t judge, and You won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and You won’t be condemned. Set free, and You will be set free. “Give, and it will be given to You: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to You. For with the same measure You measure it will be measured back to You.” He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide...
CounterpartPassage
“I tell You, keep asking, and it will be given You. Keep seeking, and You will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to You. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To Him who knocks it will be opened. “Which of You fathers, if Your son asks for bread, will give Him a stone? Or if He asks for a fish, He won’t give Him a snake instead of a...
CounterpartPassage
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;
CanonicalPartner
But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding Your own selves.
CanonicalPartner
But false prophets also arose among the people, as false teachers will also be among You, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. Many will follow their immoral ways, and as a result, the way of the truth will be maligned. In covetousness they will exploit You with...
CanonicalPartner
Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
CanonicalPartner
Passages
Chapter opening: Matthew 7:1-6
Judge not (μη κρινετε). The habit of censoriousness, sharp, unjust criticism. Our word critic is from this very word. It means to separate, distinguish, discriminate. That is necessary, but pre-judice (prejudgment) is unfair, captious criticism.
The mote (το καρφος). Not dust, but a piece of dried wood or chaff, splinter (Weymouth, Moffatt), speck (Goodspeed), a very small particle that may irritate. The beam (την δοκον). A log on which planks in the house rest (so papyri), joist, rafter, plank (Moffatt), pole sticking out grotesquely. Probably a current proverb quoted by Jesus like our people in glass houses throwing stones. Tholuck quotes an Arabic proverb: "How seest thou the splinter in thy brother's eye, and seest not the cross-beam in thine eye?"
Shalt thou see clearly (διαβλεψεις). Only here and Lu 6:42 and Mr 8:25 in the New Testament. Look through, penetrate in contrast to βλεπεις, to gaze at, in verse 3 . Get the log out of your eye and you will see clearly how to help the brother get the splinter out (εκβαλειν) of his eye.
That which is holy unto the dogs (το αγιον τοις κυσιν). It is not clear to what "the holy" refers, to ear-rings or to amulets, but that would not appeal to dogs. Trench ( Sermon on the Mount , p. 136) says that the reference is to meat offered in sacrifice that must not be flung to dogs: "It is not that the dogs would not eat it, for it would be welcome to them; but that it would be a profanation to give it to them, thus to make it a skubalon , Ex 22:31 ."
The yelping dogs would jump at it. Dogs are kin to wolves and infest the streets of oriental cities. Your pearls before the swine (τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων). The word pearl we have in the name Margarita (Margaret). Pearls look a bit like peas or acorns and would deceive the hogs until they discovered the deception. The wild boars haunt the Jordan Valley still and are not far removed from bears as they trample with their feet and rend with their tusks those who have angered them.
Loaf--stone (αρτον--λιθον). Some stones look like loaves of bread. So the devil suggested that Jesus make loaves out of stones ( Mt 4:3 ).
Fish--serpent (ιχθυν--οφιν). Fish, common article of food, and water-snakes could easily be substituted. Anacoluthon in this sentence in the Greek.
How much more (ποσω μαλλον). Jesus is fond of the a fortiori argument.
That men should do unto you (ινα ποιωσιν υμιν ο ανθρωπο). Luke ( Lu 6:31 ) puts the Golden Rule parallel with Mt 5:42 . The negative form is in Tobit 4:15 . It was used by Hillel, Philo, Isocrates, Confucius. "The Golden Rule is the distilled essence of that 'fulfilment' ( 5:17 ) which is taught in the sermon" (McNeile). Jesus puts it in positive form.
By the narrow gate (δια της στενης πυλης). The Authorized Version "at the strait gate" misled those who did not distinguish between "strait" and "straight." The figure of the Two Ways had a wide circulation in Jewish and Christian writings (cf. De 30:19 ; Jer 21:8 ; Ps 1 ). See the Didache i-vi; Barnabas xviii-xx. "The narrow gate" is repeated in verse 14 and straitened the way (τεθλιμμενη η οδος) added.
The way is "compressed," narrowed as in a defile between high rocks, a tight place like στενοχωρια in Ro 8:35 . "The way that leads to life involves straits and afflictions" (McNeile). Vincent quotes the Pinax or Tablet of Cebes, a contemporary of Socrates: "Seest thou not, then, a little door, and a way before the door, which is not much crowded, but very few travel it?
This is the way that leadeth unto true culture." "The broad way" (ευρυχωρος) is in every city, town, village, with the glaring white lights that lure to destruction.
False prophets (των ψευδοπροφητων). There were false prophets in the time of the Old Testament prophets. Jesus will predict "false Messiahs and false prophets" ( Mt 24:24 ) who will lead many astray. They came in due time posing as angels of light like Satan, Judaizers ( 2Co 11:13 f. .) and Gnostics ( 1Jo 4:1 ; 1Ti 4:1 ). Already false prophets were on hand when Jesus spoke on this occasion (cf.
Ac 13:6 ; 2 Peter 2:1 ). In outward appearance they look like sheep in the sheep's clothing which they wear, but within they are "ravening wolves" (λυκο αρπαγες), greedy for power, gain, self. It is a tragedy that such men and women reappear through the ages and always find victims. Wolves are more dangerous than dogs and hogs.
By their fruits ye shall know them (απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε). From their fruits you will recognize them." The verb "know " (γινωσκω) has επ added, fully know. The illustrations from the trees and vines have many parallels in ancient writers.
Not--but (ου--αλλ'). Sharp contrast between the mere talker and the doer of God's will.
Did we not prophesy in thy name? (ου τω σω ονοματ επροφητευσαμεν;). The use of ου in the question expects the affirmative answer. They claim to have prophesied (preached) in Christ's name and to have done many miracles. But Jesus will tear off the sheepskin and lay bare the ravening wolf. "I never knew you" (ουδεποτε εγνων υμας). "I was never acquainted with you" (experimental knowledge).
Success, as the world counts it, is not a criterion of one's knowledge of Christ and relation to him. "I will profess unto them" (ομολογησω αυτοις), the very word used of profession of Christ before men ( Mt 10:32 ). This word Jesus will use for public and open announcement of their doom.
And doeth them (κα ποιε αυτους). That is the point in the parable of the wise builder, "who digged and went deep, and laid a foundation upon the rock" ( Lu 6:48 ).
Was founded (τεθεμελιωτο). Past perfect indicative passive state of completion in the past. It had been built upon the rock and it stood. No augment.
And doeth them not (κα μη ποιων αυτους). The foolish builder put his house on the sands that could not hold in the storm. One is reminded of the words of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon in 5:19 about the one "who does and teaches." Hearing sermons is a dangerous business if one does not put them into practice.
The multitudes were astonished (εξεπλησσοντο ο οχλο). They listened spell-bound to the end and were left amazed. Note the imperfect tense, a buzz of astonishment. The verb means literally "were struck out of themselves."
And not as their scribes (κα ουχ ως ο γραμματεις αυτων). They had heard many sermons before from the regular rabbis in the synagogues. We have specimens of these discourses preserved in the Mishna and Gemara, the Jewish Talmud when both were completed, the driest, dullest collection of disjounted comments upon every conceivable problem in the history of mankind.
The scribes quoted the rabbis before them and were afraid to express an idea without bolstering it up by some predecessor. Jesus spoke with the authority of truth, the reality and freshness of the morning light, and the power of God's Spirit. This sermon which made such a profound impression ended with the tragedy of the fall of the house on the sand like the crash of a giant oak in the forest.
There was no smoothing over the outcome.