Matthew 7:27

καὶ … ἄνεμοι : exactly the same phrases as in Matthew 7:25, to describe the oncome of the storm. προσέκοψαν : a different word for the assault on the house struck upon it with immediate fatal effect. It was not built to stand such rough handling. The builder had not thought of such an eventuality. ἔπεσεν, καὶ ἦν ἡ πτῶσις αὐτῆς μεγάλη : not necessarily implying that it was a large building, or that the disaster was of large dimensions, like the collapse of a great castle, but that the ruin was complete. The fool's house went down like a house of cards, not one stone or brick left on another.

Allegorising interpretation of the rain, rivers and winds, and of the foundations, is to be avoided, but it is pertinent to ask, what defects of character in the sphere of religion are pointed at in this impressive parabolic logion ? What kind of religion is it that deserves to be so characterised? The foolish type is a religion of imitation and without forethought. Children play at building houses, because they have seen their seniors doing it. There are people who play at religion, not realising what religion is for, but following fashion, doing as others do, and to be seen of others (Matthew 6:1). Children build houses on the sea sand below high-tide mark, not thinking of the tide which will in a few hours roll in and sweep away their houselet. There are men who have religion for to-day, and think not of the trial to-morrow may bring.