The title to the kingdom. As our Lord concludes his sermon, bringing us before the judgment-seat, so should we habitually judge ourselves as in the searching light of eternity. He advises us— I. THAT BY TRUE OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD WE PROVE TITLE TO THE KINGDOM . 1 . That will is embodied in the "sayings" of Jesus. 2 . Profession is no substitute for obedience. 3 . Zeal in the cause of religion is no substitute for religion. The... read more
Therefore whosoever hoareth; Revised Version, every one therefore which heareth ( πᾶς οὖν ὅστις , Matthew 10:32 ). The relative used lays stress on the quality implied in the verb: every one who is of the kind that hears (contrast Matthew 7:26 ). These sayings (Revised Version, words ) of mine, and doeth them . Not the individual utterances ( ῥήματα , John 6:63 ), nor the substance of my message considered as a whole ( λόγον , Matthew 13:1-58 : (19) ... read more
Parallel passage: Luke 6:47-49 (cf. also Ezekiel 13:10-16 ). A solemn close to the sermon. By the similitude of two builders our Lord warns his followers that to have heard his words will have been useless unless they put them into practice. Observe that although the word " hear ' in these verses cannot indicate that full " hearing " which it sometimes connotes ( Matthew 10:14 ), yet it seems to mean more than merely listening, and to imply both a grasp of what is intended by... read more
The rock and the sand. Christ turns from the judgment of the teacher, in the parable of the tree and the fruit, to the judgment of the hearer, in the parable now before us. The hearer is responsible as well as the teacher. I. LIVING IS BUILDING . Every man is building himself a house, for all life-work is the putting together of a habitation in which the worker will have to dwell. Some build feebly and set up but slight structures, mere huts and shanties. Others work with more... read more
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 (Revised Version, the) rock . The stages of the tempest are expressed more vividly than in St. Luke. read more
Jesus closes the sermon on the mount by a beautiful comparison, illustrating the benefit of attending to his words. It was not sufficient to “hear” them; they must be “obeyed.” He compares the man who should hear and obey him to a man who built his house on a rock. Palestine was to a considerable extent a land of hills and mountains. Like other countries of that description, it was subject to sudden and violent rains. The Jordan, the principal stream, was annually swollen to a great extent, and... read more
Matthew 7:24-27 . Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, &c. In these words our Lord attests, in the most solemn manner, the certain truth and infinite importance of all he had delivered in the foregoing sermon, and applies it to the consciences of his hearers. Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them Whosoever he be that hears, considers, understands, believes, and obeys the doctrine which I have now taught you; I will liken him unto a wise man which... read more
45. The two ways (Matthew 7:13-29; Luke 6:43-49)There are two ways of life. One is the easy way of pleasing self, which most choose and which leads to destruction. The other is the narrow way of denying self for Jesus’ sake, which leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).One reason why many do not follow the narrow way is that they are deceived by those who teach their own views on how people can find meaning in life. Their teaching at first sounds reasonable, but in the end it proves to be destructive.... read more
whosoever = every one (as in Matthew 7:26 ). Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 . sayings = words. Greek plural of logos. See note on Mark 9:32 . wise = prudent. a = the. rock = rocky ground. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 7:21-29
The saying and hearing contrasted with the doing. This passage bears internal and intrinsic evidence of standing in the original position at the end , and as the end of the discourse. Its connection with what precedes is also apparent. "Fruits" have been spoken of as the test of the false or the true prophet. And the discourse finishes with a forcible setting forth of the fact that practice, not profession, is the passport, whether into the kingdom of heaven on earth or into the... read more