Bullet Point Bible

Judging Others

¹ "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.² For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive.³ Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye, but fail to see the beam of wood in your own?⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye,' while there is a beam in your own?⁵ You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.⁶ Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces.

Jesus begins this section of the Sermon on the Mount with a command against hypocritical judgment (Matthew 7:1).
The principle is reciprocity: the standard we apply to others will be applied to us, likely by God (Matthew 7:2; compare Luke 6:37-38).
Jesus uses hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) with the "speck" and the "beam" (a large log) to illustrate the absurdity of judging minor faults in others while ignoring major ones in ourselves (Matthew 7:3-4).
Self-examination and correction must precede correcting others; otherwise, the judgment is hypocritical (Matthew 7:5).
The command is not against all discernment but against self-righteous, condemnatory judgment. We are still called to evaluate fruit (Matthew 7:15-20).
Verse 6 shifts focus, warning against sharing sacred truths ("what is holy," "pearls") with those who consistently reject and show hostility ("dogs," "pigs") towards them, as it leads to contempt and potential harm.
This requires discernment, balancing the call to love and witness with wisdom about unreceptive audiences.
"Dogs" and "pigs" were terms used in Jewish culture for Gentiles or those considered unclean and hostile to sacred things.
The passage emphasizes humility and self-awareness as prerequisites for offering constructive criticism or spiritual guidance.

Ask, Seek, Knock and The Golden Rule

⁷ "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.⁹ Is there anyone among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?¹¹ If you then, although you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!¹² In everything, treat others as you would want them to treat you, for this fulfills the law and the prophets.

Jesus encourages persistent prayer using three related commands: ask, seek, knock (Matthew 7:7). This implies active engagement with God.
The promise attached is assurance: God responds to those who genuinely approach Him (Matthew 7:8; compare Luke 11:9-10).
Jesus uses an argument from lesser to greater (a fortiori): If imperfect human parents provide for their children's needs (bread, fish, not stones, snakes), how much more will the perfect Heavenly Father give good things? (Matthew 7:9-11).
The term "evil" here (Matthew 7:11) refers to the inherent sinfulness of humanity compared to God's perfect goodness, not necessarily malicious intent in parenting.
God's generosity is emphasized – He gives "good gifts," which Luke specifies as the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13), suggesting God gives what is truly best, not always exactly what is requested.
Verse 12 presents the "Golden Rule," a summary of ethical behavior found in various forms across cultures, but here rooted in God's character and covenant.
Jesus states this principle ("treat others as you would want them to treat you") is the summation of the entire Old Testament ethical teaching ("the law and the prophets") (Matthew 7:12).
This rule requires empathy and proactive positive action, not just refraining from harm.
The connection between prayer (Matthew 7:7-11) and ethics (Matthew 7:12) suggests that receiving God's goodness motivates treating others well.

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³ "Enter through the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way is spacious that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.¹⁴ How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and there are few who find it!

Jesus presents a stark contrast between two paths, two gates, and two destinies, demanding a choice.
The "wide gate" and "spacious way" represent the easy, popular path of conforming to the world's values, which ultimately leads to "destruction" (Matthew 7:13).
The "narrow gate" and "difficult way" represent the path of discipleship—following Jesus' teachings, which requires self-denial and commitment—leading to "life" (eternal life) (Matthew 7:14).
Jesus highlights that the easy path is crowded ("many who enter"), while the path of true discipleship is less traveled ("few who find it").
This imagery echoes Old Testament wisdom literature contrasting the way of the righteous and the wicked (e.g., Psalm 1; Proverbs 4:18-19).
The difficulty of the narrow way involves obedience to the demanding standards of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).
"Finding" the narrow gate suggests it requires conscious effort and seeking, unlike the default wide path.
This passage serves as a call to decision and a warning against complacency or following the crowd spiritually.

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵ "Watch out for false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are voracious wolves.¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruit. Grapes are not gathered from thorns or figs from thistles, are they?¹⁷ In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.¹⁸ A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit.¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.²⁰ So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

Following the warning about the two ways, Jesus warns against false guides ("false prophets") who might lead people down the wrong path (Matthew 7:15).
These false prophets appear harmless or pious ("sheep's clothing") but are dangerous and destructive ("ferocious wolves") inwardly. This warns against judging solely by outward appearance or claims.
The primary test for discerning true from false prophets is their "fruit"—their character, actions, and the impact of their teaching (Matthew 7:16, 20).
Jesus uses an agricultural analogy: just as trees are known by the type of fruit they produce (grapes don't come from thorns), so teachers are known by the results of their lives and ministries (Matthew 7:16-18).
"Good fruit" aligns with the character and righteousness described in the Sermon on the Mount (e.g., humility, mercy, love, obedience). "Bad fruit" reflects the opposite.
There is an inherent connection between the inner nature ("tree") and outward behavior ("fruit"). A genuinely good source produces good results (Matthew 7:17-18).
The consequence for failing to produce good fruit is judgment, depicted as being "cut down and thrown into the fire" (Matthew 7:19), echoing John the Baptist's warnings (Matthew 3:10).
This passage calls for careful discernment within the community of faith, evaluating leaders and teachings based on observable outcomes consistent with godly character.

True Discipleship

²¹ "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the kingdom of heaven-only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.²² On that day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?'²³ Then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!'

Jesus clarifies that genuine entry into the kingdom is not based on verbal profession ("Lord, Lord") alone, but on active obedience to God's will ("does the will of my Father") (Matthew 7:21).
This directly challenges superficial faith or mere association with Jesus' name.
"On that day" refers to the final judgment, where true allegiance will be revealed (Matthew 7:22).
Shockingly, many who performed impressive religious acts (prophecy, exorcism, miracles) seemingly "in Jesus' name" will be rejected (Matthew 7:22). This indicates that outward signs are not infallible proof of genuine relationship.
Jesus' devastating verdict is "{{I never knew you}}" (Matthew 7:23). This highlights that salvation is rooted in a personal, relational knowledge between Jesus and the disciple, not just activity.
He labels them "lawbreakers" (or "workers of iniquity"), indicating that despite their outward acts, their lives were fundamentally characterized by disobedience to God's true will, as outlined in the Sermon.
This passage underscores the critical importance of integrating faith and practice, profession and obedience.
It serves as a sobering warning against self-deception regarding one's spiritual state.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock.²⁵ The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because its foundation had been laid on rock.²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.²⁷ The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed-it was utterly destroyed!"

Jesus concludes the main body of the Sermon on the Mount with a parable illustrating the consequence of hearing versus doing His words.
The "wise man" represents the person who not only hears Jesus' teachings ("these words of mine") but puts them into practice ("does them"). This person builds their life on a solid foundation ("the rock") (Matthew 7:24).
The "foolish man" represents the person who hears the same teachings but fails to act on them. This person builds on an unstable foundation ("the sand") (Matthew 7:26).
The "rock" symbolizes obedience to Jesus' teaching, providing stability and security. The "sand" symbolizes merely hearing without obedience.
The "rain," "floods," and "winds" represent the trials, tribulations, and ultimately the judgment of God that test the foundation of a person's life (Matthew 7:25, 27).
Both houses face the same storm, indicating that trials come to everyone, regardless of their foundation.
The outcome depends entirely on the foundation: the house built on the rock stands firm, while the house built on the sand collapses completely ("completely destroyed") (Matthew 7:25, 27).
This parable powerfully summarizes the theme of the entire Sermon: hearing God's word is insufficient; true discipleship requires active obedience, which provides enduring stability.
It serves as a final call to action, urging listeners to respond decisively to Jesus' message.

The Crowd's Reaction

²⁸ When Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed by his teaching,²⁹ because he taught them like one who had authority, not like their experts in the law.

Matthew concludes the Sermon on the Mount by describing the audience's reaction.
The crowds were "amazed" or "astonished" (Greek: *exeplēssonto*) by Jesus' teaching (Matthew 7:28).
The reason for their amazement was the *authority* with which Jesus taught (Matthew 7:29).
This authority contrasted sharply with the typical teaching style of the scribes ("experts in the law"), who relied heavily on quoting previous rabbinic interpretations and traditions.
Jesus spoke directly, often on His own authority ("But I say to you..."), interpreting the Law and declaring God's will with inherent power.
This sense of divine authority authenticated His message and set Him apart from other religious teachers of the day.
This reaction validates the profound impact of Jesus' words and sets the stage for His subsequent ministry of deeds that further demonstrate His authority.

The Bullet Point Bible

Matthew 7