Jesus uniquely pairs the Greek word "krino" (judge) with both prohibition and inevitability, creating a paradox where judgment becomes both forbidden and inescapable within six verses.
Matthew 7
Judging Others
1“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.
2For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.
3Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
4Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
5You 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.
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.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.
8For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
9Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?
11If 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!
12Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
The Narrow Gate
13“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.
14How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.
A Tree and Its Fruit
15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
16By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
19Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
I Never Knew You
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.
22Many 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?’
23Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
Build Your House on the Rock
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 the rock.
25The 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.
26Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
28When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
29for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.
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Theme
Matthew 7 concludes Jesus' Sermon on the Mount with practical teachings on righteous living and spiritual discernment. Jesus addresses judging others with humility, the power of persistent prayer, and the necessity of choosing the narrow path to eternal life. The chapter emphasizes that authentic discipleship requires both hearing and doing God's will, warning against false teachers and shallow faith while encouraging believers to build their lives on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings.
Context
This chapter serves as the powerful conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount (chapters 5-7), transitioning from Jesus' teaching ministry to his miraculous works in chapter 8.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-6 Judging Others and Discernment Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment while calling for wise discernment in sharing sacred truths.
- 7-12 Prayer and the Golden Rule God's generous response to persistent prayer is demonstrated, culminating in the Golden Rule as the essence of righteous relationships.
- 13-14 The Narrow Gate Jesus contrasts the wide path to destruction with the narrow gate that leads to eternal life.
- 15-20 False Prophets and Their Fruits Warning against deceptive teachers who can be identified by examining the fruit of their lives and ministry.
- 21-23 True Discipleship Jesus declares that entrance to God's kingdom requires doing the Father's will, not merely claiming religious activity.
- 24-27 The Wise and Foolish Builders The parable contrasts those who obey Jesus' teachings with those who only hear but fail to act.
Judging Others
7:1–7:6 gospel instruction warning
Jesus warns against judging others while ignoring one's own faults, using the metaphor of specks and beams. He also cautions about sharing sacred things with those who cannot appreciate them.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely pairs the Greek word "krino" (judge) with both prohibition and inevitability, creating a paradox where judgment becomes both forbidden and inescapable within six verses.
Ask, Seek, Knock
7:7–7:12 gospel instruction hopeful
Jesus encourages persistent prayer and trust in God's goodness, comparing divine generosity to parental love. He concludes with the Golden Rule as a summary of the law and prophets.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely combines intimate parental imagery with legal summary, making this the only passage where divine tenderness directly leads to comprehensive ethical instruction.
The Narrow Gate
7:13–7:14 gospel instruction solemn
Jesus contrasts the narrow gate leading to life with the wide gate leading to destruction. He emphasizes that the path to salvation is difficult and found by few.
person_contrast
Jesus uniquely frames salvation as a geographic journey requiring deliberate navigation, contrasting his typical proclamations of divine authority with rare emphasis on human effort and discovery.
A Tree and Its Fruit
7:15–7:20 gospel instruction warning
Jesus warns against false prophets, teaching that they can be identified by their fruits, using the metaphor of good and bad trees producing corresponding fruit.
person_contrast
Jesus employs agricultural metaphors six times in this brief passage, creating the densest concentration of fruit/tree imagery in his recorded teachings.
I Never Knew You
7:21–7:23 gospel instruction warning
Jesus declares that entry into the Kingdom of Heaven requires doing God's will, not merely claiming to know him or performing works in his name.
person_contrast
Jesus uses the intimate verb "knew" (Greek *ginosko*) to describe relationship, appearing in only two other Gospel passages where knowing determines eternal destiny rather than miraculous works.
Build Your House on the Rock
7:24–7:29 gospel instruction solemn
Jesus concludes his teaching with the parable of two builders, emphasizing that hearing and obeying his words provides a firm foundation for life.
person_contrast
Jesus's metaphor of building on rock versus sand creates a rare linguistic parallel with his own name "Peter" (Greek: Petros, meaning rock), foreshadowing the apostle's foundational role.
Insights
Jesus uniquely combines intimate parental imagery with legal summary, making this the only passage where divine tenderness directly leads to comprehensive ethical instruction.
Jesus uniquely frames salvation as a geographic journey requiring deliberate navigation, contrasting his typical proclamations of divine authority with rare emphasis on human effort and discovery.
Jesus employs agricultural metaphors six times in this brief passage, creating the densest concentration of fruit/tree imagery in his recorded teachings.
Jesus uses the intimate verb "knew" (Greek *ginosko*) to describe relationship, appearing in only two other Gospel passages where knowing determines eternal destiny rather than miraculous works.
Jesus's metaphor of building on rock versus sand creates a rare linguistic parallel with his own name "Peter" (Greek: Petros, meaning rock), foreshadowing the apostle's foundational role.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Matthew 7:2 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 6:38 Lexical
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you.…
Revelation 21:17 Lexical
Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
Mark 4:24 Lexical
He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will…
Matthew 7:3 2 references
Matthew 7:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 6:42 Lexical
Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don…
Luke 6:41 Lexical
Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Mark 9:47 Lexical
If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather t…
John 9:21 Lexical
but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for hims…
Luke 17:21 Lexical
neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”
Matthew 7:5 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 6:42 Lexical
Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don…
Luke 6:41 Lexical
Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Matthew 5:24 Lexical
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer yo…
Matthew 7:6 1 reference
Matthew 7:7 5 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 11:9 Lexical
“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opene…
Luke 11:10 Lexical
For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 12:48 Lexical
but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of…
Matthew 17:27 Lexical
But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have…
Matthew 7:8 2 references
Matthew 7:9 2 references
Matthew 7:10 2 references
Matthew 7:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 11:13 Lexical
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the…
Matthew 5:45 Lexical
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sen…
John 11:22 Lexical
Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”
Matthew 18:19 Lexical
Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be d…
Matthew 6:8 Lexical
Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
Matthew 7:12 2 references
Matthew 7:13 1 reference
Matthew 7:15 2 references
Matthew 7:16 3 references
Lexicals 3
Luke 6:44 Lexical
For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bram…
2 Corinthians 13:5 Lexical
Examine your own selves, whether you are in the faith. Test your own selves. Or don’t you know about your own selves, th…
Hebrews 6:8 Lexical
but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Matthew 7:17 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 6:43 Lexical
“For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.
Matthew 12:33 Lexical
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by…
Matthew 3:10 Lexical
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cas…
Luke 3:9 Lexical
Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and…
Matthew 7:18 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 6:43 Lexical
“For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.
Matthew 12:33 Lexical
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by…
Luke 3:9 Lexical
Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and…
Matthew 3:10 Lexical
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cas…
Luke 6:44 Lexical
For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bram…
Matthew 7:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 3:10 Lexical
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cas…
Luke 3:9 Lexical
Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and…
Matthew 18:8 Lexical
If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into lif…
Luke 6:43 Lexical
“For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.
Matthew 12:33 Lexical
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by…
Matthew 7:21 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 6:10 Lexical
Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 21:31 Lexical
Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell…
Matthew 18:14 Lexical
Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Matthew 12:50 Lexical
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 19:23 Lexical
Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficu…
Matthew 7:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 9:38 Lexical
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, be…
Luke 9:49 Lexical
John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow wi…
Mark 1:34 Lexical
He healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons. He didn’t allow the demons to speak, becaus…
Mark 6:13 Lexical
They cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.
Acts 2:18 Lexical
Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
Matthew 7:24 4 references
Lexicals 4
Luke 6:48 Lexical
He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stre…
Luke 6:49 Lexical
But he who hears and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the st…
Luke 8:13 Lexical
Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a wh…
Matthew 21:33 Lexical
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, set a hedge about it, dug…
Matthew 7:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 6:48 Lexical
He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stre…
Luke 6:49 Lexical
But he who hears and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the st…
Luke 17:31 Lexical
In that day, he who will be on the housetop and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him w…
Revelation 7:1 Lexical
After this, I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, so that no…
John 6:18 Lexical
The sea was tossed by a great wind blowing.
Matthew 7:26 2 references
Matthew 7:27 5 references
Lexicals 5
Luke 6:49 Lexical
But he who hears and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the st…
John 6:18 Lexical
The sea was tossed by a great wind blowing.
Revelation 8:10 Lexical
The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the river…
Luke 6:48 Lexical
He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stre…
Revelation 6:13 Lexical
The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind.
Matthew 7:28 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 11:18 Lexical
The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the…
Matthew 22:33 Lexical
When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Luke 4:32 Lexical
and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority.
Matthew 7:29 1 reference
Interlinear
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Lemma
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Translation Notes
Key Passages