Matthew 7:13-27

Epilogue. Warnings and exhortations close the new Law, like the old (Exodus 23:20 ff.).

Matthew 7:13 f. The Two Gates and the Two Ways (Luke 13:24). The picture is based on Jeremiah 21:8, and is frequent in Jewish and Christian writings. The way that leads to life (the word has eschatological force) involves difficulties and tribulation (cf. Acts 14:22).

Matthew 7:15. Fruit the Test of Profession. Lk. (Luke 6:43; Luke 13:26 f.) speaks of unreality in personal religion; Mt. adapts the sayings into condemnations of false teachers, who profess to guide men to the way of fife, while really seeking their own advantage. For the proper sequence of thought read Matthew 7:19 (cf. Matthew 3:10) after Matthew 7:20. A corrupt tree: the papyri show that the word corrupt does not here mean rotten, but unfit for food (cf. Matthew 13:48, of fish). Evil as such cannot produce good (cf. Matthew 12:33 ff.). As a complement to this teaching we have instances where Jesus saw the possibilities of good in bad people.

Matthew 7:22 f. The character of the false teachers will be revealed in that (last) day, a common eschatological expression. Attempts to exorcise by the name of Jesus were both successful (Mark 9:38) and unsuccessful (Acts 19:13); unworthy Christians - preached Christ-' (Php_1:17), and miracles of healing were probably wrought by the use of His name as a magical formula (M-' Neile).

Matthew 7:24. The Two Foundations (Luke 6:47). The conclusion of the whole sermon. Note the greatness of the claim involved in these words of mine. For the rock as a metaphor for a state of safety cf. Psalms 27:5; there is no connexion with Matthew 16:18. The differences between Mt. and Lk. point to the free use of the parable by preachers in the early Church.