Matthew 7
In this chapter, we encounter profound teachings from Jesus that challenge our perceptions of judgment, righteousness, and the nature of true discipleship. The emphasis on self-examination before addressing the faults of others underscores the necessity of humility and recognition of our own sinfulness. The metaphor of the narrow gate calls attention to the exclusive nature of Christ's way, highlighting the need for earnest pursuit of a life aligned with God's will. This chapter culminates in the warning about false professions of faith and the imperative to build one’s life on the solid foundation of obedience to Christ. Such foundations reveal the true nature of one’s relationship with God, as genuine faith naturally manifests itself in good works.
Core Bible study
Matthew 7:1
“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
Original language
μη κρινετε ινα μη κριθητε
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Commentary
The Greek phrase "μη κρινετε" translates to "do not judge," which emphasizes the imperative nature of avoiding a judgmental posture towards others. This statement is not a prohibition against all forms of discernment or evaluation but warns against hypocritical judgments that lack self-awareness and grace. The phrase "ινα μη κριθητε," meaning "so that you won’t be judged," suggests a reciprocal principle; the manner in which one judges others will reflect back upon themselves. This aligns with the broader teaching of Jesus regarding humility and the need for personal introspection before evaluating others (cf. Matthew 7:3-5). In essence, the verse calls for a posture of mercy and self-examination rather than condemnation.
The Greek phrase "μη κρινετε" translates to "do not judge," which emphasizes the imperative nature of avoiding a judgmental posture towards others. This statement is not a prohibition against all forms of discernment or evaluation but warns against hypocritical judgments that lack self-awareness and grace.
The phrase "ινα μη κριθητε," meaning "so that you won’t be judged," suggests a reciprocal principle; the manner in which one judges others will reflect back upon themselves. This aligns with the broader teaching of Jesus regarding humility and the need for personal introspection before evaluating others (cf. Matthew 7:3-5). In essence, the verse calls for a posture of mercy and self-examination rather than condemnation.
Matthew 7:2
For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
Original language
εν ω γαρ κριματι κρινετε κριθησεσθε και εν ω μετρω μετρειτε αντιμετρηθησεται υμιν
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Commentary
No commentary
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Matthew 7:3
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Original language
τι δε βλεπεις το καρφος το εν τω οφθαλμω του αδελφου σου την δε εν τω σω οφθαλμω δοκον ου κατανοεις
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Matthew 7:4
Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye;’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
Original language
η πως ερεις τω αδελφω σου αφες εκβαλω το καρφος απο του οφθαλμου σου και ιδου η δοκος εν τω οφθαλμω σου
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Matthew 7:5
You 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.
Original language
υποκριτα εκβαλε πρωτον την δοκον εκ του οφθαλμου σου και τοτε διαβλεψεις εκβαλειν το καρφος εκ του οφθαλμου του αδελφου σου
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Matthew 7:6
“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Original language
μη δωτε το αγιον τοις κυσιν μηδε βαλητε τους μαργαριτας υμων εμπροσθεν των χοιρων μηποτε καταπατησωσιν αυτους εν τοις ποσιν αυτων και στραφεντες ρηξωσιν υμας
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Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
Original language
αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν
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Commentary
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Matthew 7:8
For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Original language
πας γαρ ο αιτων λαμβανει και ο ζητων ευρισκει και τω κρουοντι ανοιγησεται
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Matthew 7:9
Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
Original language
η τις εστιν εξ υμων ανθρωπος ον εαν αιτηση ο υιος αυτου αρτον μη λιθον επιδωσει αυτω
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Commentary
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Matthew 7:10
Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
Original language
και εαν ιχθυν αιτηση μη οφιν επιδωσει αυτω
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Matthew 7:11
If 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!
Original language
ει ουν υμεις πονηροι οντες οιδατε δοματα αγαθα διδοναι τοις τεκνοις υμων ποσω μαλλον ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις δωσει αγαθα τοις αιτουσιν αυτον
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Matthew 7:12
Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Original language
παντα ουν οσα αν θελητε ινα ποιωσιν υμιν οι ανθρωποι ουτως και υμεις ποιειτε αυτοις ουτος γαρ εστιν ο νομος και οι προφηται
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Matthew 7:13
“Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it.
Original language
εισελθετε δια της στενης πυλης οτι πλατεια η πυλη και ευρυχωρος η οδος η απαγουσα εις την απωλειαν και πολλοι εισιν οι εισερχομενοι δι αυτης
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Matthew 7:14
Hownarrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.
Original language
οτι στενη η πυλη και τεθλιμμενη η οδος η απαγουσα εις την ζωην και ολιγοι εισιν οι ευρισκοντες αυτην
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Matthew 7:15
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Original language
προσεχετε δε απο των ψευδοπροφητων οιτινες ερχονται προς υμας εν ενδυμασιν προβατων εσωθεν δε εισιν λυκοι αρπαγες
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Commentary
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Matthew 7:16
By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?
Original language
απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους μητι συλλεγουσιν απο ακανθων σταφυλην η απο τριβολων συκα
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Matthew 7:17
Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Original language
ουτως παν δενδρον αγαθον καρπους καλους ποιει το δε σαπρον δενδρον καρπους πονηρους ποιει
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Matthew 7:18
A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Original language
ου δυναται δενδρον αγαθον καρπους πονηρους ποιειν ουδε δενδρον σαπρον καρπους καλους ποιειν
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Matthew 7:19
Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.
Original language
παν δενδρον μη ποιουν καρπον καλον εκκοπτεται και εις πυρ βαλλεται
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Commentary
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Matthew 7:20
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Original language
αραγε απο των καρπων αυτων επιγνωσεσθε αυτους
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Commentary
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Matthew 7:21
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Original language
ου πας ο λεγων μοι κυριε κυριε εισελευσεται εις την βασιλειαν των ουρανων αλλ ο ποιων το θελημα του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις
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Matthew 7:22
Many 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?’
Original language
πολλοι ερουσιν μοι εν εκεινη τη ημερα κυριε κυριε ου τω σω ονοματι προεφητευσαμεν και τω σω ονοματι δαιμονια εξεβαλομεν και τω σω ονοματι δυναμεις πολλας εποιησαμεν
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Matthew 7:23
Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
Original language
και τοτε ομολογησω αυτοις οτι ουδεποτε εγνων υμας αποχωρειτε απ εμου οι εργαζομενοι την ανομιαν
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Matthew 7:24
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock.
Original language
πας ουν οστις ακουει μου τους λογους τουτους και ποιει αυτους ομοιωσω αυτον ανδρι φρονιμω οστις ωκοδομησεν την οικιαν αυτου επι την πετραν
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Commentary
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of both hearing and acting upon His teachings. The term "wise man" (φρονίμω, phronimō) signifies not just intelligence but a prudent and discerning character that leads to wise actions. The imagery of building a house "on a rock" contrasts with unstable foundations, signifying that true wisdom involves not only knowledge but obedience to Christ's words, ensuring stability in life amidst challenges. This teaching reflects the Reformed emphasis on the relationship between faith and works, as genuine faith naturally results in obedience.
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of both hearing and acting upon His teachings. The term "wise man" (φρονίμω, phronimō) signifies not just intelligence but a prudent and discerning character that leads to wise actions.
The imagery of building a house "on a rock" contrasts with unstable foundations, signifying that true wisdom involves not only knowledge but obedience to Christ's words, ensuring stability in life amidst challenges. This teaching reflects the Reformed emphasis on the relationship between faith and works, as genuine faith naturally results in obedience.
Matthew 7:25
The 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.
Original language
και κατεβη η βροχη και ηλθον οι ποταμοι και επνευσαν οι ανεμοι και προσεπεσον τη οικια εκεινη και ουκ επεσεν τεθεμελιωτο γαρ επι την πετραν
Cross references
No cross-references
Commentary
The Greek word for "founded" is τεθεμελιωτο (tethemeiliōto), which conveys a strong sense of stability and permanence, indicating that this house is built on a solid foundation. This foundation, described as "the rock," symbolizes Christ Himself, highlighting the importance of grounding one's life on His teachings and trust in Him. The imagery of rain, floods, and winds represents trials and tribulations faced in life. Despite these overwhelming forces, the house stands firm, illustrating that true faith in Christ enables believers to withstand life's storms without falling. This verse underscores the necessity of a solid theological foundation in the life of a believer.
The Greek word for "founded" is τεθεμελιωτο (tethemeiliōto), which conveys a strong sense of stability and permanence, indicating that this house is built on a solid foundation. This foundation, described as "the rock," symbolizes Christ Himself, highlighting the importance of grounding one's life on His teachings and trust in Him.
The imagery of rain, floods, and winds represents trials and tribulations faced in life. Despite these overwhelming forces, the house stands firm, illustrating that true faith in Christ enables believers to withstand life's storms without falling. This verse underscores the necessity of a solid theological foundation in the life of a believer.
Matthew 7:26
Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand.
Original language
και πας ο ακουων μου τους λογους τουτους και μη ποιων αυτους ομοιωθησεται ανδρι μωρω οστις ωκοδομησεν την οικιαν αυτου επι την αμμον
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Matthew 7:27
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”
Original language
και κατεβη η βροχη και ηλθον οι ποταμοι και επνευσαν οι ανεμοι και προσεκοψαν τη οικια εκεινη και επεσεν και ην η πτωσις αυτης μεγαλη
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No commentary
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Matthew 7:28
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
Original language
και εγενετο οτε συνετελεσεν ο ιησους τους λογους τουτους εξεπλησσοντο οι οχλοι επι τη διδαχη αυτου
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Matthew 7:29
for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
Original language
ην γαρ διδασκων αυτους ως εξουσιαν εχων και ουχ ως οι γραμματεις
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Commentary
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