Matthew – Chapter 7

New Testament29 Verses

Chapter Summary

Matthew 7 opens with the words: "Judge not, that you may not be judged." Across its 29 verses, two threads run through the text: sin and divine judgment and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Judge not, that you may not be judged.

2For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye?

4Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?

5Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thy own eye, and then shalt thou see to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

6Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.

7Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.

8For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

9Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone?

10Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent?

11If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?

12All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.

13Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in thereat.

14How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!

15Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

16By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit.

19Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire.

20Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.

21Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

22Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name?

23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.

24Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock,

25And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.

26And every one that heareth these my words and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand,

27And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof.

28And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine.

29For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.

Important Verses in Matthew 7

Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you.

Matthew 7:6

If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 7:11

How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it!

Matthew 7:14

Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 7:21

Historical Context

As a New Testament book, Matthew was written with jewish Christians, shown that Jesus fulfills the Scriptures of Israel in view. Chapter 7 of 28 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 29 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "Judge not, that you may not be judged." It concludes: "For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees. " In terms of historical background, Matthew wrote for Jewish Christians, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets—the Son of David, the new Moses who delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

Who Wrote It

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition

When It Was Written

About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter presents teaching, action, or revelation within the broader account of Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish hopes. A pivotal line is verse 6: "Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear…" The passage repeatedly touches on sin and divine judgment.

Catholic exegesis reads Matthew 7 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Matthew shows Christ as the new Moses and true Israel (CIC 577). St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 2632).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Matthew Chapter 7, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 1700).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Matthew Chapter 7 about?

Matthew 7 contains 29 verses. It opens with "Judge not, that you may not be judged." and closes with "For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees. ". The book as a whole is gospel.

What is a key verse in Matthew 7?

One of the most significant verses is verse 6: "Give not that which is holy to dogs; neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turning upon you, they tear you." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Matthew and when?

The Apostle Matthew (Levi), the former tax collector, according to unanimous early tradition. About AD 70-85; early tradition places a first version among Jewish Christians.

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