Matthew 7:13-27 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

Epilogue. Warnings and exhortations close the new Law, like the old (Exodus 23:20 ff.).

Matthew 7:13 f. The Two Gates and the Two Ways (Luke 13:24). The picture is based on Jeremiah 21:8, and is frequent in Jewish and Christian writings. The way that leads to life (the word has eschatological force) involves difficulties and tribulation (cf. Acts 14:22).

Matthew 7:15-23. Fruit the Test of Profession. Lk. (Luke 6:43-46; Luke 13:26 f.) speaks of unreality in personal religion; Mt. adapts the sayings into condemnations of false teachers, who profess to guide men to the way of fife, while really seeking their own advantage. For the proper sequence of thought read Matthew 7:19 (cf. Matthew 3:10) after Matthew 7:20. A corrupt tree: the papyri show that the word corrupt does not here mean rotten, but unfit for food (cf. Matthew 13:48, of fish). Evil as such cannot produce good (cf. Matthew 12:33 ff.). As a complement to this teaching we have instances where Jesus saw the possibilities of good in bad people.

Matthew 7:22 f. The character of the false teachers will be revealed in that (last) day, a common eschatological expression. Attempts to exorcise by the name of Jesus were both successful (Mark 9:38) and unsuccessful (Acts 19:13-16); unworthy Christians - preached Christ-' (Php_1:17), and miracles of healing were probably wrought by the use of His name as a magical formula (M-' Neile).

Matthew 7:24-27. The Two Foundations (Luke 6:47-49). The conclusion of the whole sermon. Note the greatness of the claim involved in these words of mine. For the rock as a metaphor for a state of safety cf. Psalms 27:5; there is no connexion with Matthew 16:18. The differences between Mt. and Lk. point to the free use of the parable by preachers in the early Church.

Related Commentaries of Matthew 7:13

Matthew 7:13-27

13 Enter ye in at the straita gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Becauseb 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.