Mat 7 | MHM | STEP | The Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches us how to behave toward the faults of others. He is warning against being harsh and prideful in judging others, like the scribes and Pharisees often were. Instead, he calls his followers to humility, charity, and self-examination before judging others. v. 1 : Jesus says, Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Matthew 7:1 ). He is not forbidding all judgment—judges and ministers must judge rightly—but he warns private people not to judge others harshly or unfairly. We should judge ourselves first and avoid condemning others with pride or jealousy. We must not speak evil of others, despise them, or make harsh conclusions without good reason. God alone knows the heart and will judge rightly.

‏ Matthew 7

The Sermon on the Mount

Jesus teaches us how to behave toward the faults of others. He is warning against being harsh and prideful in judging others, like the scribes and Pharisees often were. Instead, he calls his followers to humility, charity, and self-examination before judging others.

v. 1: Jesus says, Do not judge, or you too will be judged (Matthew 7:1 ^a). He is not forbidding all judgment—judges and ministers must judge rightly—but he warns private people not to judge others harshly or unfairly. We should judge ourselves first and avoid condemning others with pride or jealousy. We must not speak evil of others, despise them, or make harsh conclusions without good reason. God alone knows the heart and will judge rightly.

v. 2: Jesus explains that the way we judge others will be the way we are judged (Matthew 7:2 ^b). If we are harsh and unforgiving, God will be harsh with us. This should make us careful and humble. We should remember that God’s judgment is perfect and just, unlike ours, and that we will be judged by the same standard we use on others.

v. 3-5: Jesus gives an example of judging others unfairly. He says, Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the plank in your own? (Matthew 7:3-5 ^c). People often notice small faults in others while ignoring bigger faults in themselves. Jesus tells us to first deal with our own sins before trying to correct others. Only then can we help others in a humble and loving way without hypocrisy.

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v. 6: Jesus warns, Do not give what is holy to dogs; do not throw pearls to pigs (Matthew 7:6 ^d). This means we should be careful when sharing sacred truths. Some people reject or mock what is holy, and giving it to them is wasted effort and may harm the message. We should wisely share God’s word with those who are open to it, but avoid wasting it on those who will only scorn it.

The Sermon on the Mount

In this section, Jesus teaches about prayer as a way to receive what we need from God. He reminds us that God has given us hard instructions, but prayer is how we can get the strength and grace to obey. Jesus shows that prayer is not only a duty, but also a gift, helping us to rely on God for all things.

v. 7: Jesus gives a simple command: Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7 ^e). He wants us to pray sincerely and regularly. To ask is like a beggar asking for help, or a traveler asking for directions (Ezekiel 36:37 ^f). To seek is like searching for something valuable or a merchant looking for good pearls (Daniel 9:3 ^g). To knock is like knocking on a door, wanting to be let in. Sin has shut us out from God, but prayer is how we ask Him to let us back in. Jesus also knocks at our doors (Revelation 3:20; Song of Songs 5:2 ^h), and He invites us to knock at His. Seeking and knocking mean we should not only pray, but also act. We should use the ways God has given us and not just wait for things to happen. Like the man caring for a fruit tree, we should work and pray (Luke 13:7-8 ⁱ). We must keep praying and not give up, even if we do not get an answer right away.

v. 8: Jesus promises that our prayers will not be wasted: Everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:8 ^j). This promise is for everyone, not just the disciples. No matter who you are—rich or poor, young or old—God listens if you pray with faith. The promise is given in the present tense. If you believe, you can enjoy God’s promise right now, as if you already have what you asked for (Psalm 108:7-8 ^k). When you meet God’s condition of asking, He will give.

v. 9-10: Jesus uses an example: If your son asks for bread, would you give him a stone? Or if he asks for fish, would you give him a snake? (Matthew 7:9-10 ^l). Even ordinary people, who are not perfect, give their children good things when they ask. If people can be kind in this way, how much more will God give good things to those who ask Him?

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v. 11: Jesus explains that if we, who are flawed, know how to give good gifts to our children, then our heavenly Father is even better. He will give truly good things to those who ask (Matthew 7:11 ^m). We must come to God like children come to their father—trusting and expecting help. We may not always know what is good for us (Ecclesiastes 6:12 ⁿ), but God does. Sometimes, God says "no" because what we ask for might harm us, just as a wise parent would not give a child a stone or a snake. God’s love is greater than any parent's love (Psalm 103:13; Isaiah 66:13; 49:14-15 ^o). Even if our parents make mistakes, God never does. He always knows what is best for us, and He is kinder, wiser, and more generous than any human parent (Psalm 27:10 ^p). His love is much greater, just as the sun is brighter than a candle. If parents feel compassion for their children, God feels even more for us. We can trust Him to give us what is truly good and to care for us always.

The Sermon on the Mount

In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us how to treat others and how to live a true religious life. He links how we act towards people with our relationship with God. Jesus shows that being righteous and fair to others is as important as being devoted to God. We should be honest and kind in our actions, not just in our prayers. This is the foundation for living a life that pleases God and helps others.

v. 12: Jesus gives us a simple rule: Whatever you want others to do for you, do the same for them (Matthew 7:12 ^q). This is sometimes called the "Golden Rule." It means we should treat everyone fairly and kindly, just as we want to be treated. This rule is for everyone, not just for our friends or people who agree with us. It is based on the command, You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18 ^r). We should put ourselves in other people’s place and act as we would wish if we were them. Jesus says this rule sums up the teachings of the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:40 ^s). If we follow this rule, we are doing what God wants. If we do not, our religious acts are empty and do not please God (Isaiah 1:15-17; 58:6,9; Zechariah 7:9,13 ^t).

v. 13–14: Jesus says we must make following God our main goal. He describes two ways to live: one is easy and popular but leads to destruction, and the other is hard and less chosen but leads to life. The easy way is like a wide gate and a broad road—many people go that way because it allows them to do whatever they want. There is a lot of freedom and many people to follow, but this way leads to destruction and death. The other way is a narrow gate and a hard road. This path is difficult because it means changing our hearts, giving up our old ways, and sometimes facing trouble and being different from others (John 3:3,5; 1 Samuel 14:4 ^u). It is not easy to start this journey or to continue on it, but God promises it leads to real life—both now and forever (2 Peter 1:3 ^v). Only a few choose this way because it is not popular, but it is the only way to true happiness and eternal life (1 Peter 3:20 ^w). Jesus warns us not to just follow the crowd but to decide for ourselves to enter by the narrow gate. He encourages us to pray and work hard to go through this gate, trusting that God will help us if we truly seek Him (Luke 13:24 ^x).

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The Danger of False Prophets

In this part of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warns his followers to be on guard against false prophets and teachers. He explains how to recognize them and why it is so important to avoid their influence. The section focuses on how outward appearances can be deceiving and how the real test of a person's character and teaching is the fruit they produce in their lives (Matthew 7:15-20 ^y).

v. 15: Jesus says, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15 ^z). This is a strong warning to be careful because false prophets do not always look dangerous. They may seem harmless, kind, or even holy on the outside—like sheep—but inside, their real motives are dangerous and selfish, like wolves. Jesus wants his followers to know that there are people who pretend to be good but actually want to harm others spiritually. In the Old Testament, some people pretended to be prophets, like Zedekiah (1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 29:21 ^aa). Now, Jesus is saying that there will be false teachers in the church as well. They may pretend to have messages from God or teach things that sound good, but their goal is to deceive and hurt God's people. Paul also calls such people "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29 ^ab). He warns that they only care about themselves and may use religion to get what they want (Romans 16:18 ^ac).

v. 16: Jesus teaches, "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16 ^ad). He gives a simple test to recognize false prophets: look at the results of their lives, their "fruits." Just as you do not expect to find grapes growing on thorn bushes or figs on thistles, you should not expect good results from people whose hearts are not right with God. Bad people may sometimes do something good, but it does not come naturally from them. Their actions, attitudes, and teachings will eventually show what kind of person they really are.

v. 17: Jesus goes on, "Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit" (Matthew 7:17 ^ae). Here, Jesus is saying that a person's true character will be seen in their actions and words over time. A good person, like a healthy tree, naturally produces good things. A bad person, like a rotten tree, produces bad things. People may try to hide who they are, but their true nature will show through the way they live.

v. 18: He explains, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit" (Matthew 7:18 ^af). This means that someone whose heart has truly been changed by God will not keep producing evil actions and teachings. In the same way, someone who is false or corrupt cannot keep producing good fruit. The course of a person's life, not just a single action, reveals their true character.

v. 19: Jesus warns, "Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" (Matthew 7:19 ^ag). This is a picture of judgment. Just as a farmer cuts down trees that do not produce fruit and burns them, God will judge and remove those who do not live according to his ways. This is the same warning John the Baptist gave earlier (Matthew 3:10 ^ah). It does not matter how religious someone looks on the outside; if their life does not show real good fruit, they are in danger of God's judgment (Ezekiel 31:12-13; Daniel 4:14; John 15:6 ^ai).

v. 20: Jesus repeats, "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:20 ^aj). The best way to recognize false teachers is to pay attention to what their lives produce. This includes both their personal character and the effects of their teaching on others. If their teaching leads people away from God, encourages pride, selfishness, or sin, then it is not from God (Galatians 5:8; James 3:15 ^ak). But if their teaching leads to true love, humility, and holiness, it is a sign that they are genuine. When in doubt, we should also check what they teach against the Bible, "the law and the testimony" (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1 ^al).

True Discipleship and the Danger of Self-Deception

In this section, Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to follow Him will enter the kingdom of heaven. He teaches that it is not enough to say religious words or do impressive acts; what matters is doing God’s will and having a real relationship with Him. Jesus explains that some people will be surprised on judgment day, thinking they are accepted by God because of their works, but He will tell them He never knew them. The section challenges us to examine our hearts and to make sure our faith is sincere, not just for show.

v. 21: Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Jesus says that saying religious words is not enough to be saved. Only those who actually do God’s will can enter God’s kingdom (Matthew 7:21 ^am).

v. 22: Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Jesus warns that many people will claim to have done great things for Him on the day of judgment. They will point to their works—preaching, casting out demons, and miracles—but these are not enough if they did not have a real relationship with God (Matthew 7:22 ^an).

v. 23: Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Jesus says that He will reject those who only pretended to serve Him. Even if they did impressive things, He will say, “I never knew you.” What matters most is truly knowing Jesus and obeying Him, not just doing things in His name (Matthew 7:23 ^ao).

In summary, Matthew 7:21–23 teaches us that being a true follower of Jesus is about doing God’s will and having a real relationship with Him, not just saying the right words or doing impressive things. We should examine our lives and make sure our faith is genuine and our actions come from a heart that truly loves and obeys God.