Matthew 7:13-29
Jesus instructs on recognizing false prophets, the importance of doing God’s will, and compares those who hear and do His words to a wise man who builds his house on a rock.
- Pathways of Life:
- Jesus presents two paths: a narrow gate leading to life and a wide gate leading to destruction.
- The narrow gate symbolizes the difficult path of following Jesus and living righteously.
- The wide gate represents the easier path of worldly pursuits and sinful living.
- Fruits of False Prophets:
- Jesus warns against false prophets who come disguised as sheep but are actually ravenous wolves.
- He advises discerning these false prophets by their fruits, meaning their actions and teachings.
- A good tree bears good fruit, while a bad tree bears bad fruit, reflecting the sincerity of one’s faith.
- True Discipleship:
- Jesus emphasizes that not everyone who claims to follow him will enter the kingdom of heaven.
- True discipleship involves not only professing faith but also doing the will of God.
- Many will be shocked on Judgment Day when Jesus declares he never knew them due to their lawlessness.
- The Wise and Foolish Builders:
- Jesus compares those who hear his words and act upon them to wise builders who construct their houses on a solid foundation.
- Conversely, those who hear his words but do not act upon them are like foolish builders who build their houses on sand.
- When storms come, only the house built on the rock withstands, symbolizing the stability found in following Jesus’ teachings.
Matthew 7:13-29 teaches us to follow God’s way, even when it is difficult, because it leads to true life. Jesus warns that not everyone who claims to follow Him is truly doing God’s will—we must live out our faith, not just talk about it. He compares wise people to those who build their house on solid rock, meaning we should base our lives on His teachings. This passage reminds us to choose God’s path, seek truth, and put His words into action, so our faith remains strong no matter what challenges come our way.
Matthew 7:13-29 (WEB)
7:13 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. 16 By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ 23 Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’24 “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he taught them with authority, and not like the scribes.