[1] Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. [3] And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. [6] Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Verses 1,2 Expanded Bible Comments
| Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Is this in conflict with 1 Cor. 6:1-3? | Of course not. |
| Are we not to judge anything? | Yes. We judge between right and wrong, Truth and Error. We judge behavior. |
| Of what kind of judgment is our Lord here speaking? | The judging of others, what is their intent, what is in their hearts, what is their final position (judgment.) |
| Why are we not to judge others? | Because our judgment is imperfect and none of us can stand before God in our own righteousness. Here his word is that we will be judged in the same way we judge others. Which of us can afford not to be extremely merciful in our judgment of others? |
Verses 3-5 Expanded Bible Comments
| And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? [4] Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? [5] Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is a mote? | Strong's 2595 is variously translated otherwise as: speck, splinter and straw. |
| Why did our Lord make reference to this being "in thy brother's eye?" | Perhaps a reference to the previous chapter when he said "If thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light." Matt. 6:22 |
| What is our Lord's main point in these verses? | Do not be a hypocrite. |
Verse 6 Expanded Bible Comments
| Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| How could we give that which is holy to dogs? | By witnessing to those whose attitude is clearly in opposition to the principles of righteousness. |
| What would be our pearls? | The truth of God's Holy Word. |
| Who would be "swine?" | From Expanded Bible Comments: "Those who would not be able to understand or appreciate our position." "Those who mind earthly things, the selfish, the sensual." |
| What are they likely to do when presented with our "pearls?" | They may 'trample' you and attempt to do you harm, either physical or by attempting to ruin your reputation. |
[7] Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. [9] Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? [12] Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Verses 7-8 Expanded Bible Comments
| Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [8] For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why should we have to ask? | At a minimum it is because we need to learn that we are not self-sufficient. We are in need of a Saviour. "Some of the chiefest of his favors he withholds from us until we make requests, because he thus prepares us more for the blessings he is willing to bestow." - Expanded Bible Comments |
| Does this mean that if we seek for earthly wealth we will receive it? | No. Our Lord is not sending us down a path that is almost sure to lead away from the Kingdom. Matt. 19:23,24; Mark 10:25 |
| Why are we to knock, and upon what do we knock? | A knock is normally request to open the door, either for the person to come in or to converse with the occupant.
One usually knocks upon a door. In scripture a door represents an opportunity. Thus, if one knocks, they are seeking an opportunity. |
| Do all that ask really get what they are asking for and really find what they are looking for? | No. If it applied to all it might imply that all who knocked on the door of evil opportunity would get all they asked for based on their selfishness. Many have asked for great wealth or power and have not received it. We must remember our Lord's audience here is His disciples. This applies to them and it applies to spiritual things. |
Verses 9-11 Expanded Bible Comments
| Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? [10] Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? [11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Was there ever such an one who did give a stone when asked for bread? | Perhaps not directly but we do have the case of our Lord who, after his forty days fasting in the wilderness, was hungry and Satan suggested that Jesus take stones and eat them after first misusing his spiritual gifts to satisfy the flesh. Matt. 4:3-4. |
| Why did our Lord make reference to asking for a fish and receiving a serpent. Aren't all snakes edible? | Yes, all snakes are edible, even the poisonous ones (just cut off its head) while this is not true of all fish as many are poisonous. No doubt our Lord here was referring to freshly killed fish (a staple in the diet of the common man) and a live deadly serpent. |
| What is the main point our Lord is making in verses 9-11? | Read verse 11. |
Verse 12 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| How does the world refer to this verse, what do they call it? | The Golden Rule. |
| What principle is our Lord here describing? | Justice. |
| Why did our Lord say "this is the law and the prophets?" | Because Justice is what the Law is based upon. |
| How does this relate to Rom. 13:8? | "He that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." - The answer is really in Paul's logic which is given not in verse 8 alone but in vss 8-10. |
[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. [15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are 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 that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Verses 13, 14 Expanded Bible Comments
| Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| What is meant by the "strait" gate? | It means "narrow" gate. |
| What is the difference between a wide gate and a broad road? | The gate is the entrance. You get to the road (that upon which one travels) by entering through the gate. |
| For whom is the wide gate and the broad road intended? | Yes, this is a trick question. It is not really intended for any because God wills to have all men saved. 1 Tim. 2:3-4. Nevertheless the whole world has entered in through the gates of sin and selfishness onto the broad road which leads to destruction. |
| What gate does our Lord recommend to His disciples? | The straight (or narrow) gate. |
| To what path does this gate lead? | The narrow way to life. |
| How many travel the narrow way and how many travel the broad road? | Few travel the narrow way and all others travel the broad road. |
| Why aren't more willing to travel the narrow way? | The way is described as "narrow." The word "narrow" is Strong's 2346.
G2346 Because it is a way of trouble or pressure (that is the thought behind the word in the Greek - "to crowd.") - Please see how the same word is used in Mark 3:9.θλίβω thlibō thlee'-bo Akin to the base of G5147; to crowd (literally or figuratively): - afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble. |
Verses 15-20 Expanded Bible Comments
| Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are 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 that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| To what does our Lord liken false prophets? | Wolves in sheep's clothing. An appropriate metaphor since the saints are described as being His sheep, His "little flock." |
| What is the danger for the Lord's people of these false prophets? | That they will devour the sheep. Since they do not literally eat the people, this indicates they devour them as new creatures. |
| What did our Lord mean by getting grapes and figs from thorns and thistles? | Please see R5148:1 and R3747:5 |
| What are evil trees? | In bible symbology trees represent people (Psa. 1:1-3) or nations (Luke 21:29.) Thus evil trees would be evil people or evil nations (including that grouping of nations known as "Christendom.") |
| How do we identify them? | By their fruits. |
| What is to be done with them? | They are to be cast into the fire of destruction. -- Please note. It is the Lord which does this. The saints still on earth do not participate in violence or destruction of these evil "trees." The only way in which we may be considered to participate in this is be declaring the Truth of God's word. |
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we 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 you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. [24] Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, 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 these sayings of mine, 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 was the fall of it.
Verses 21-23 Expanded Bible Comments
| Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. [22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we 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 you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Do all that call on the name of the Lord enter into heaven? | Clearly not. |
| Who does enter into the kingdom of heaven? | Those who do the will of God. - This means we must study His word in order to discover what that will is. |
| In what day will some say to the Lord "have we not prophesied in thy name?" | In that day, i.e., in the Millennial age. This has its application during the Laodicean period of the church. Rev. 3:17 |
| What's wrong with casting out devils and doing wonderful works in the Lord's name? | There is nothing wrong with casting out devils and doing wonderful works. This is beneficial for the world of mankind. The problem is that they should first have learned what it is the the Lord wanted them to do and then done that. These have not made a consecration to do the will of God but their own wills or the will of the earthly organizations to which they have committed themselves. |
| What is the Lord's reaction to these? | He rejected them, first in 1878 and more fully in 1914. |
| Why does the Lord refer to these as "workers of iniquity?" | Because they were not working for Him. By doing "wonderful works" in His name it made many people attribute their monstrous teachings to our Lord. |
Verse 24-27 Expanded Bible Comments
| Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, 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 these sayings of mine, 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 was the fall of it. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Question | Answer | ||||||
| Upon what type of foundation does a wise man build? | A rock. | ||||||
| Upon what type of foundation does a foolish man build? | Sand. | ||||||
| What literal type of structure is our Lord making reference to? | A house. | ||||||
| Upon what foundation do we build? | Christ and His ransom sacrifice. 1 Cor. 3:11. | ||||||
| What is the real structure that our Lord is talking about? | Our faith, including our character development. | ||||||
| What materials do we use to construct our structure? | Gold, silver and precious stones. 1 Cor. 3:12. Gold - Things Divine (promises,) that which leads to the Divine Nature. Silver - Truth, Great company. Precious stones - Precious individual members of the Lord's people who are of a special aid to us as new creatures. Their character has been built up (like that of precious stones) by being subjected to intense pressure. |
||||||
| What famous Bible character built his house upon sand? | Satan built his house (Christendom) upon the shifting sands of human ideas and errors. | ||||||
What happened to that house when:
| |||||||
[28] And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Verses 28-29 Expanded Bible Comments
| And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: [29] For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. | |
|---|---|
| Question | Answer |
| Why were the people "astonished at his doctrine." | Because they were used to the Scribes teaching them. When Jesus taught them with the authority of one who truly knows his subject, the people could see the contrast. Thus they were astonished. This observation from the Reprints on verse 29 seems very good. R5408 |