Matthew:7:13-14

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rwp @Matthew:7:13 @{By the narrow gate } (\dia t ˆs sten ˆs pul ˆs \). The Authorized Version "at the strait gate " misled those who did not distinguish between "strait " and "straight ." The figure of the Two Ways had a wide circulation in Jewish and Christian writings (cf . strkjv @Deuteronomy:30:19 ; strkjv @Jeremiah:21:8 ; strkjv @Psalms:1 |). See the _Didache_ i-vi ; Barnabas xviii-xx . "The narrow gate " is repeated in verse 14 | and {straitened the way } (\tethlimmen ˆ h ˆ hodos \) added . The way is "compressed ," narrowed as in a defile between high rocks , a tight place like \stenoch “ria \ in strkjv @Romans:8:35 |. "The way that leads to life involves straits and afflictions " (McNeile ). Vincent quotes the _Pinax_ or _Tablet_ of Cebes , a contemporary of Socrates : "Seest thou not , then , a little door , and a way before the door , which is not much crowded , but very few travel it ? This is the way that leadeth unto true culture ." "The broad way " (\euruch “ros \) is in every city , town , village , with the glaring white lights that lure to destruction . rwp @Matthew:7:15 @{False prophets } (\t “n pseudoproph ˆt “n \). There were false prophets in the time of the Old Testament prophets . Jesus will predict "false Messiahs and false prophets " (Matthew:24:24 |) who will lead many astray . They came in due time posing as angels of light like Satan , Judaizers (2Corinthians:11:13ff |.) and Gnostics (1John:4:1 ; strkjv @1Timothy:4:1 |). Already false prophets were on hand when Jesus spoke on this occasion (cf . strkjv @Acts:13:6 ; strkjv @2Peter:2:1 |). In outward appearance they look like sheep in the sheep 's clothing which they wear , but within they are "ravening wolves " (\lukoi harpages \), greedy for power , gain , self . It is a tragedy that such men and women reappear through the ages and always find victims . Wolves are more dangerous than dogs and hogs . rwp @Matthew:7:16 @{By their fruits ye shall know them } (\apo t “n karp “n aut “n epign “sesthe \). From their fruits you will recognize them ." The verb "know " (\gin “sk “\) has \epi \ added , fully know . The illustrations from the trees and vines have many parallels in ancient writers . rwp @Matthew:7:20 @See on ¯Matthew:7:16 |. rwp @Matthew:7:21 @{Not--but } (\ou--all '\). Sharp contrast between the mere talker and the doer of God 's will . rwp @Matthew:7:22 @{Did we not prophesy in thy name ?} (\ou t “i s “i onomati eproph ˆteusamen ;\). The use of \ou \ in the question expects the affirmative answer . They claim to have prophesied (preached ) in Christ 's name and to have done many miracles . But Jesus will tear off the sheepskin and lay bare the ravening wolf . "I never knew you " (\oudepote egn “n h –m ƒs \). "I was never acquainted with you " (experimental knowledge ). Success , as the world counts it , is not a criterion of one 's knowledge of Christ and relation to him . "I will profess unto them " (\homolog ˆs “ autois \), the very word used of profession of Christ before men (Matthew:10:32 |). This word Jesus will use for public and open announcement of their doom . rwp @Matthew:7:24 @{And doeth them } (\kai poiei autous \). That is the point in the parable of the wise builder , "who digged and went deep , and laid a foundation upon the rock " (Luke:6:48 |). rwp @Matthew:7:25 @{Was founded } (\tethemeli “to \). Past perfect indicative passive state of completion in the past . It had been built upon the rock and it stood . No augment . rwp @Matthew:7:26 @{And doeth them not } (\kai m ˆ poi “n autous \). The foolish builder put his house on the sands that could not hold in the storm . One is reminded of the words of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon in strkjv @5:19 | about the one "who does and teaches ." Hearing sermons is a dangerous business if one does not put them into practice . rwp @Matthew:7:28 @{The multitudes were astonished } (\exepl ˆssonto hoi ochloi \). They listened spell-bound to the end and were left amazed . Note the imperfect tense , a buzz of astonishment . The verb means literally "were struck out of themselves ." rwp @Matthew:7:29 @{And not as their scribes } (\kai ouch h “s hoi grammateis aut “n \). They had heard many sermons before from the regular rabbis in the synagogues . We have specimens of these discourses preserved in the Mishna and Gemara , the Jewish Talmud when both were completed , the driest , dullest collection of disjounted comments upon every conceivable problem in the history of mankind . The scribes quoted the rabbis before them and were afraid to express an idea without bolstering it up by some predecessor . Jesus spoke with the authority of truth , the reality and freshness of the morning light , and the power of God 's Spirit . This sermon which made such a profound impression ended with the tragedy of the fall of the house on the sand like the crash of a giant oak in the forest . There was no smoothing over the outcome .

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