Matthew Chapter 7 – Commentary and Explanation Bible Study
Matthew Chapter 7 is one of those chapters in the Bible that feel like a heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus. It is the closing part of His famous Sermon on the Mount, and honestly, it is full of instructions that cut straight to the heart. The words are not just religious sayings; they reach into daily living, into how we treat other people, how we approach God, and how we live in light of eternity. Some verses are very popular—“Judge not, that you be not judged,” “Ask and it will be given,” and “Enter through the narrow gate”—yet when we sit and reflect deeper, we discover that each line is heavier than it looks at first glance.
So let us walk slowly through Matthew chapter 7. I’ll share the verses, some explanation, some commentary, and even little thoughts that might sound imperfect, but real. Let’s study together.
Verses 1–5: Do Not Judge Hypocritically
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with what measure you use, it will be measured to you again.”
These words are quoted maybe more than any other verse in modern times. People say it to defend themselves, to stop criticism, to argue that no one can say anything about their lifestyle. But when we carefully read, we realize Jesus isn’t saying don’t ever make judgments. He is warning against a spirit of hypocritical judgment.
Jesus uses the vivid picture: you see a speck in your brother’s eye, but you have a plank, a log, in your own eye. That’s powerful! Imagine walking around with a giant wooden beam sticking out of your eye socket, but you’re squinting to point out a tiny dust in someone else. It’s ridiculous, but sadly, that is how many of us act.
So the real command here is: first, deal with yourself. Be honest with your own sin before God, confess it, repent, let Him cleanse you. After that, you may help your brother or sister, but always in humility, not in pride. The warning is also that the way we measure others, God will measure us. If we are harsh, unforgiving, overly critical, then that same measure falls back on us.
This doesn’t cancel discernment. Believers must discern truth and error, right and wrong. Later in this very chapter Jesus talks about false prophets and recognizing them by their fruit, which requires judgment. The issue is the heart attitude behind it.
Verse 6: Do Not Cast Pearls Before Swine
“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you.”
This is an interesting shift. After saying don’t be hypocritically judgmental, Jesus adds: but don’t be naive either. There is wisdom needed. Not everyone will appreciate or value holy truth. If someone mocks God, despises His Word, and only seeks to trample on it, then wisdom sometimes means you don’t keep giving them the holy pearls.
Now, this doesn’t mean we never witness to unbelievers. Jesus shared truth with sinners, with gentiles, with all kinds of people. But there’s a moment when repeated rejection and mocking show that continuing might not be helpful. It’s like handing expensive diamonds to pigs—they can’t eat it, they don’t understand it, and instead they’ll attack you.
We need discernment from the Holy Spirit: when to speak, when to stay silent, when to keep praying quietly.
Verses 7–11: Ask, Seek, Knock
Here’s one of the most encouraging sections:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”
Notice the rising intensity: ask… seek… knock. It’s not just a one-time request. It’s persistence, like a child who keeps going to the father. Jesus is showing the generosity of God the Father. He says, if earthly fathers know how to give good gifts to their children—even though they are sinful—how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him?
This passage reminds us that prayer is not begging a reluctant God. Prayer is coming to a loving Father who delights to give. But also, it shows us the need to persist. Sometimes answers don’t come immediately. We keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. God shapes our faith in the process.
One thing to notice is that the asking is not about selfish desires. The context is the Sermon on the Mount. It’s about seeking God’s kingdom, His righteousness, His wisdom. And He promises, He will give.
Verse 12: The Golden Rule
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
This is famous: the Golden Rule. It sums up in one sentence the ethical teaching of the Old Testament. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
But Jesus makes it positive. Many ancient teachers said the negative version: don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do to you. But Jesus goes higher—do actively good. Not just avoid harm, but choose kindness, mercy, generosity, love.
Imagine if everyone lived this way? Wars, fights, bitterness would disappear. Sadly, sin makes it hard. Yet as believers filled with the Spirit, we can practice this golden rule as a reflection of God’s love.
Verses 13–14: The Narrow Gate
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who go in by it. But narrow is the gate and difficult the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
This is a sobering reality. The majority of the world travels the broad road—easy, popular, comfortable. It doesn’t require denying self, doesn’t require repentance. But it leads to destruction.
The narrow gate, which is Jesus Himself, requires humility, surrender, repentance. The way is hard because it goes against human pride and sin. Yet it leads to eternal life.
Jesus is blunt: few find it. That’s scary. It challenges us not to follow the crowd. Christianity is not about majority opinion. It’s about following Christ even if it’s unpopular.
Verses 15–20: Beware of False Prophets
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”
Here Jesus warns of spiritual deception. False prophets don’t come with a sign saying “I’m false.” They dress like sheep. They look harmless. They sound spiritual. But inside, their hearts are selfish, greedy, destructive.
How do we know them? “By their fruits you will know them.” Fruit takes time to show. A tree can look nice outwardly, but in season the fruit reveals the truth. Same with teachers, pastors, spiritual leaders—their life, their teaching, their character, all will eventually show if they are genuine or false.
We need discernment again. Some are carried away by charisma, miracles, or nice words, but Jesus says: check the fruit. Does their teaching line up with Scripture? Does their life reflect holiness and humility?
Verses 21–23: Not Everyone Who Says “Lord, Lord”
This might be one of the scariest passages in the whole Bible. Jesus says:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”
Wow. Here are people doing ministry—prophesying, miracles, deliverance. But Jesus rejects them. Why? Because their hearts never truly belonged to Him. They practiced lawlessness while using His name.
This tells us that outward religious activity is not the same as true salvation. What matters is: does Jesus know you? Do you have a real relationship with Him, obeying His Father’s will?
This is a wake-up call. Many today chase miracles, signs, power, but without holiness and obedience to Christ, it’s empty.
Verses 24–27: The Wise and Foolish Builders
Jesus ends His sermon with a picture. Two builders. One builds on rock, the other on sand. Both houses look fine while the sun shines. But when the storm comes, only the one on the rock stands.
The rock is hearing and doing Jesus’ words. The sand is hearing but not obeying. Storms reveal the foundation. Life’s trials and ultimately God’s judgment show what we built on.
This is not about just listening to sermons, reading devotionals, nodding heads. It’s about living it. Putting into practice forgiveness, prayer, humility, obedience. That’s the real foundation.
Verses 28–29: The Authority of Jesus
The chapter ends saying the crowds were astonished, because Jesus taught with authority, not like the scribes. His words carried weight. He didn’t quote endless traditions. He spoke directly as the Son of God. And people could feel it.
Reflections and Application
Matthew 7 is like a mirror. It forces us to check ourselves. Are we judging hypocritically? Are we asking and seeking in prayer? Are we treating others as we want to be treated? Are we on the narrow road or broad road? Can we discern false prophets? Do we truly know Jesus, or just do outward religious things? Are we building on rock or sand?
Each section demands personal response. It’s not just theology; it’s life.
Conclusion
Matthew chapter 7 closes the Sermon on the Mount with strong warnings, comforting promises, and a call to decision. It’s like Jesus saying: you’ve heard My words, now what will you do with them?
The whole chapter challenges our pride, hypocrisy, laziness, and empty religion. But it also points us to the Father’s goodness, to the beauty of living by the Golden Rule, to the strength of building life on Christ’s words.
In the end, it’s about relationship with Him. Not just saying “Lord, Lord,” but knowing Him, obeying Him, trusting Him. That is the narrow road, the solid rock, the safe foundation.
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