Matthew 7:13-27

Matthew 7:13-27

[13] Enter ye in  at  the strait  gate:  for  wide  is the gate,  and  broad  is the way,  that leadeth  to  destruction,  and  many  which  go in  thereat:  [14] Because  strait  is the gate,  and  narrow  is the way,  which  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  that find  it.  [15] Beware  of  false prophets,  which  come  to  in  sheep's  clothing,  but  inwardly  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  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  Lord,  shall enter  into  the kingdom  of heaven;  but  he that doeth  the will  Father  which is in  heaven.  [22] Many  will say  in  that  day,  Lord,  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  depart  from  ye that work  iniquity.  [24] Therefore  whosoever  heareth  sayings  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  sayings  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  the fall  of it. 

What does Matthew 7:13-27 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

To clarify the essential choices that His disciples needed to make, Jesus laid out four pairs of alternatives. Their choices would prepare them to continue to get ready for the coming kingdom. Each of the four alternatives is a warning of catastrophic proportions. They all focus on future judgment and the kingdom. This section constitutes the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount.