7:1 do not judge The Greek verb used here, krinō, denotes the idea of expressing a negative opinion about someone.

7:2 you will be judged Jesus is saying that God will judge people according to the same standards they apply when judging others. Those who judge harshly, for example, will be judged harshly by God.

7:3 the speck Describes something so small it is almost irrelevant.

brother’s Refers to a fellow Jew or kingdom member (someone else following Christ).

beam of wood Jesus uses an absurd contrast to make His point.

7:5 First remove the beam Jesus commands His followers to address their own sins before they judge the sins of others.

see clearly to remove the speck When people deal with sin and its distorting effects in their own lives, they have the discernment to help others repent from sin.

7:6 do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls in front of pigs These images characterize God’s kingdom—and Jesus’ teaching about it—as something valuable that should not be discarded. Dogs were considered unclean according to the Jewish law (Lev 11:27), as were swine (see Lev 11:7 and note).

7:7 Ask The first of three commands in this verse. Jesus’ followers are to ask for what they need.

it will be given to you In each of the three statements here, Jesus’ point is the same: When God’s people pursue something—by asking, seeking, knocking—He responds in faithfulness and generosity. This verse emphasizes the need for an authentic relationship with God.

seek The Greek verb ued here, zēteō, indicates looking for something or trying to find something.

you will find God is still the one who allows for this action to take place.

7:10 will give him a snake The rhetorical questions in Matt 7:9–10 set up the comparison in v. 11 between earthly fathers and the heavenly Father.

7:11 although you are evil Jesus compares sinful humanity with a holy God.

how much more Jesus argues from a lesser principle to a greater one. Human parents know how to give their children good things; by comparison, the heavenly Father can do abundantly more for His children.

to those who ask him Completes the thought from v. 7.

7:12 whatever you want that people should do to you, thus also you do to them This command, often called the Golden Rule, epitomizes Jesus’ ethical teaching and describes how people should interact with one another.

For this is the law and the prophets Jesus later says that the Law and the Prophets can be summarized by two commandments—to love God completely, and to love your neighbor as yourself (22:37–40).

7:15 Beware Meaning “be alert” or “be watchful.”

false prophets Refers to those whose teaching contradicts Jesus’ teaching. Beginning in Matt 5:17, Jesus has reinterpreted the established religious and social norms of His day. Here, He portrays those who contradict His instruction as false prophets—people who falsely claim to speak on God’s behalf (compare 2 Pet 2:1 and note).

sheep’s clothing Refers to disguises that portray innocence.

ravenous wolves Describes those seeking to undermine Jesus’ teaching for personal gain.

7:16 by their fruits Refers to people’s deeds—the natural outcomes of their choices and inclinations.

grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles Images drawn from horticulture would have resonated with Jesus’ audience, as first-century Palestine was primarily an agrarian society. In the Greek text, this rhetorical question is phrased in a way that expects a negative answer (“Of course not!”).

7:17 every good tree produces good fruit In other words, teachers of righteousness act righteously.

a bad tree produces bad fruit False prophets act wickedly in accordance with the nature of their testimony. Jesus repeats these statements for emphasis in the following verse.

7:19 thrown into the fire See Matt 3:10 and note.

7:20 you will recognize them by their fruits See v. 16 and note.

7:21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ Those who say this acknowledge Jesus as master. The affirmation that Jesus is Lord is meaningless if it is not backed by obedience to God’s will.

my Father See note on 5:16.

7:22 On that day Refers to the day of judgment (compare Isa 2:11, 17; Zech 14:4–21; Rev 20:11–15).

did we not prophesy in your name The three activities mentioned in this verse are associated with the prophetic office.

7:23 I never knew you Communicates disassociation or estrangement.

Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness A citation of Psa 6:8.

The Parables of Jesus

7:24 these words of mine Refers to the entire Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5–7).

does them Hearing and understanding Jesus’ teaching is not sufficient; being His disciple requires action (compare Jas 1:22–25).

on the rock The builder of this house used bedrock—as opposed to soil or sand—as the foundation.

7:25 the rivers came Refers to flash floods. In dry climates like that of Palestine, the ground often could not absorb large amounts of rainwater, resulting in rapid flooding that could produce violent rivers.

7:27 its fall was great Indicates complete destruction—the fate of those who do not heed Jesus’ teaching. He may be referring to the day of judgment, since this seems to be the focus of Matt 7:21–23.

7:28 were amazed The Greek verb used here, ekplēssō, describes being amazed to the point of being overwhelmed.

7:29 one who had authority See note on Luke 4:32.

scribes See note on Matt 2:4.