Matthew 7

King James Version

Full text for Matthew Chapter 7

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.›

28And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

29For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jesus teaches against hypocritical judgment, urging self-correction before criticizing others. He encourages persistent prayer, promising that God, like a good father, will provide good things. The chapter warns against false prophets, emphasizing that true discipleship is demonstrated by obedience to God's will, likening it to building one's life upon a solid foundation of hearing and doing Christ's words.

Medium Summary

Matthew chapter 7 begins with a strong admonition against judging others, highlighting the hypocrisy of focusing on minor faults in others while overlooking significant ones in oneself. Jesus then encourages believers to "ask, seek, and knock," assuring them that God, being a benevolent Father, will grant good things to those who earnestly petition Him. The chapter presents the Golden Rule as the essence of the law and the prophets, urging reciprocal ethical treatment. A stark contrast is drawn between the narrow way leading to life and the broad way to destruction. Furthermore, Jesus warns against false prophets, stating they are known by their fruits, and emphasizes that true entry into the kingdom of heaven comes not from mere profession but from doing the Father's will. The chapter concludes with the parable of the two builders, illustrating the wisdom of hearing and obeying Christ's teachings, which provides a firm foundation against life's storms.

Long Summary

Matthew chapter 7 concludes the Sermon on the Mount, commencing with a direct command against judging others, lest one incur similar judgment. Jesus illustrates this with the parable of the "mote and beam," condemning the hypocrisy of attempting to correct minor faults in others while ignoring one's own greater transgressions, urging self-examination and correction first. He then cautions against casting "holy things unto the dogs" or "pearls before swine," implying a discernment in sharing sacred truths. A profound encouragement to prayer follows, where Jesus assures that those who "ask, seek, and knock" will receive, find, and have doors opened, drawing an analogy to an earthly father's willingness to give good gifts, thereby emphasizing God's even greater benevolence. The Golden Rule is presented as a summary of "the law and the prophets," advocating for treating others as one wishes to be treated. Jesus then introduces the concept of two paths: the "strait gate" and "narrow way" leading to life, found by few, and the "wide gate" and "broad way" leading to destruction, chosen by many. A crucial warning is given against false prophets, who appear as sheep but are inwardly ravening wolves, and are to be identified by their "fruits." This metaphor is extended to good and corrupt trees, emphasizing that actions reveal true character. Finally, Jesus declares that not merely professing "Lord, Lord" grants entry into the kingdom of heaven, but rather doing the will of the Father. He concludes with the parable of the wise man who built his house upon a rock, enduring storms, versus the foolish man who built upon sand, whose house collapsed, illustrating the vital importance of not only hearing but also obeying His teachings as the foundation for a steadfast life. The chapter ends with the people's astonishment at Jesus' authoritative teaching, distinct from the scribes.

Core Concepts

  • Hypocritical JudgmentJesus warns against judging others, particularly when one has greater faults of their own, using the analogy of a "mote" in a brother's eye versus a "beam" in one's own. This calls for self-correction before attempting to correct others.
  • Persistent PrayerThe command to "ask, seek, and knock" assures that earnest prayer will be answered, with God, like a good father, providing good things to those who ask Him.
  • The Golden RuleThis principle, "whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," is presented as the summation of "the law and the prophets," advocating for reciprocal ethical treatment.
  • Two PathsJesus describes a "strait gate" and "narrow way" leading to life, found by few, contrasting it with a "wide gate" and "broad way" leading to destruction, which many enter.
  • Discerning False ProphetsBelievers are warned to "beware of false prophets," who are inwardly ravening wolves despite outward appearances, and are to be identified and known "by their fruits" or actions.
  • True Discipleship and ObedienceEntry into the kingdom of heaven is not based on mere verbal profession ("Lord, Lord") or outward works, but on actively doing the will of the Father.
  • Foundations of LifeThe parable of the wise and foolish builders illustrates that hearing and obeying Christ's sayings provides a stable foundation against life's challenges, while merely hearing without doing leads to collapse.