Matthew
7:13-29
Lesson 13
7:13-29
Lesson 13
Matthew 7:13:29
More teachings 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. |
Margin notes:
"Enter ye in the strait gate." (7:13) - "Enter by the narrow gate." The narrow door leads to paradise, the wide door to destruction. Jesus reinforces this message in Luke 13:24. "Narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life." (7:14) - "The road leading to (eternal) life is difficult." Being a believer is hard, but those who live according to God's word will be blessed (Psalm 1:1-6). "Beware of false prophets." (7:15) - Jesus repeatedly warns us about false teachers (Matthew 24:11; Mark 13:22-23) and predicts their final fate in 2 Peter 2:19-22. "The most devastating obstacle to the progress of Christianity among men has been its ruthless corruption at the hands of its own promoters." ("Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; page 435). "Ye shall know them by their fruits." (7:16) - Even a child "is known" by their deeds (Proverbs 20:11). This warning is so crucial, Jesus repeats it four verses later (7:20) and again in Matthew 12:33 and Luke 6:43-45. "Tree." (7:17) - In this passage, Jesus uses trees as a metaphor for people. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." (7:21) - Some say they are believers, but they live contrary to Jesus' teachings (Titus 1:16). "Many will say to me in that day." (7:22) - "Many will say to me on judgment day." "Have we not prophesied." (7:22) - "Have we not preached." "I will liken him unto a wise man." (7:24) - "I will compare him to a wise man." "Built his house upon a rock." (7:24) - "Built his life on a rock." "It was founded upon a rock." (7:25) - "It was built on a rock." Jesus elaborates on this point in Luke 6:46-49 "The people were astonished at his doctrine." (7:28) - "The people were astonished by His teachings." People were frequently astonished by Jesus (Matthew 13:54; Mark 10:24; Luke 2:47; 4:32) or marveled at him (Matthew 8:27; 9:8; John 7:15). Why? Read John 7:46. |