1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam [is] in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.
Analysis of Matthew Chapter 7
Matthew Chapter 7 is a significant part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus provides teachings that emphasize moral and ethical behavior, judgment, and the nature of true discipleship. This chapter is rich in themes and practical applications for believers. Below is a detailed analysis of its key sections.
Key Themes
- Judgment and Discernment
- Prayer and Dependence on God
- The Golden Rule
- True and False Discipleship
- The Foundation of Faith
Section Breakdown
- Do Not Judge (Verses 1-5)
Jesus begins with a caution against judgment, warning that the measure one uses to judge others will be applied to them. This section emphasizes self-examination before critiquing others, illustrating the hypocrisy of focusing on minor faults while ignoring one’s own significant shortcomings.
- Ask, Seek, Knock (Verses 7-11)
In this passage, Jesus encourages believers to actively pursue their needs through prayer. The promise that God will respond to those who earnestly seek Him highlights the importance of faith and reliance on God’s goodness as a loving Father.
- The Golden Rule (Verse 12)
Jesus summarizes the law and the prophets with the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” This principle serves as a foundational ethical guideline for interpersonal relationships and reflects the heart of Christian ethics.
- The Narrow and Wide Gates (Verses 13-14)
This metaphor illustrates the choice between the difficult path of righteousness and the easy path of destruction. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of true discipleship and the need for commitment to follow Christ.
- True and False Prophets (Verses 15-20)
Jesus warns against false prophets, indicating that their true nature can be discerned by their fruits. This section emphasizes the importance of discernment in spiritual matters and the necessity of evaluating the teachings and behaviors of leaders.
- True Discipleship (Verses 21-23)
In these verses, Jesus distinguishes between those who merely profess faith and those who genuinely follow Him. The emphasis on doing the will of the Father underscores that authentic faith is demonstrated through action and obedience.
- The Wise and Foolish Builders (Verses 24-27)
This parable contrasts two builders, one who builds on rock and the other on sand. The storms represent trials and challenges, and the outcome illustrates the importance of a solid foundation in Christ’s teachings for enduring faith.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 7 encapsulates essential teachings of Jesus that challenge believers to reflect on their own lives, engage in sincere prayer, treat others with kindness, discern truth from falsehood, and build their lives on the solid foundation of His words. The chapter serves as a guide for ethical living and spiritual integrity, encouraging a deeper commitment to the Christian faith.
