Matthew 7:24 kjv

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:

Matthew 7:24 nkjv

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

Matthew 7:24 niv

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24 esv

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24 nlt

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 24 Meaning

This verse introduces the concluding parable of the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing that true spiritual wisdom and enduring life are built upon hearing Jesus' teachings and, crucially, putting them into practice. It likens such an obedient disciple to a wise builder whose house, representing one's life and eternal destiny, stands firm against trials because it is founded on the solid bedrock of Christ's words. It is a declaration of the indispensable nature of obedience as the only foundation for genuine faith and spiritual security.

Matthew 7 24 Context

Matthew 7:24 marks the crucial concluding section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). Throughout this extended teaching, Jesus has redefined righteousness, outlining the nature of true discipleship that extends beyond external legalistic observance to internal transformation and obedience. The verses immediately preceding (7:21-23) serve as a stark warning against superficial faith, where professing Christ or even performing religious acts in His name will not suffice for salvation if there is no genuine submission to His will. This verse, introducing the parable of the two builders, functions as the ultimate summary and application of the entire Sermon. It presents a dichotomy: two responses to Christ's teaching, leading to two distinct outcomes. The parable directly illustrates the prior warning, emphasizing that practical application of His words is the essential differentiator between genuine and false discipleship, particularly when faced with life's inevitable storms and the final judgment. Historically and culturally, building houses on either solid rock or unstable sand/earth was a real practice in Judea, where sudden wadi (riverbed) floods could devastate structures built on precarious foundations. This gave the parable immediate and relatable impact to the original audience.

Matthew 7 24 Word analysis

• Therefore (οὖν - oun): This particle signals a logical consequence or conclusion drawn from the preceding statements. Here, it connects the warning against false profession (7:21-23) to the critical importance of actively obeying Jesus' words. It underlines the final, overarching point of the entire Sermon.
• Everyone (πᾶς - pas): This is an all-inclusive term, signifying universality. Jesus addresses all hearers without exception. The challenge and its implications apply to every individual who encounters His teaching. There are no exemptions based on status, knowledge, or origin.
• Who hears (ἀκούων - akouōn): Refers to the act of listening, perceiving sounds or words. In biblical context, "hearing" often implies more than just auditory reception; it frequently includes understanding and taking to heart. However, in this passage, it is contrasted with "doing," emphasizing that hearing alone is insufficient. This highlights a subtle polemic against any Jewish or pagan concept that simply listening to teachings or observing external rituals was enough for spiritual favor.
• These words of Mine (τοὺς λόγους τούτους μου - tous logous toutous mou): Refers specifically to Jesus' teachings, particularly the profound ethical and spiritual principles outlined in the Sermon on the Mount. These are not general moral maxims, but His divine authoritative pronouncements, unique to His identity as the Son of God. The phrase underscores His divine authority and the necessity of basing life on His particular instruction.
• And acts on them (ποιῶν αὐτούς - poiōn autous, lit. "doing them"): This is the critical, distinguishing action. "Doing" signifies active obedience, practical application, living according to His commands, and putting His words into practice. It is the visible evidence and true test of hearing. This contrasts sharply with mere intellectual assent, emotional response, or outward religious show.
• May be compared to (ὁμοιωθήσεται - homoiōthēsetai, lit. "will be likened to"): This verb indicates the introduction of a parable or analogy, drawing a comparison between the obedient hearer and a specific type of builder. The future tense highlights the ultimate outcome and certainty of the comparison's result.
• A wise man (ἀνδρὶ φρονίμῳ - andri phronimō): Phronimos implies practical wisdom, prudence, sound judgment, foresight, and understanding that leads to effective action. It's not mere intelligence (σοφός - sophos), but the application of knowledge for righteous and successful living. This man understood the consequences of foundation choices in ancient construction practices.
• Who built (ᾠκοδόμησεν - ōikodomēsen): The act of construction. Building one's house is a metaphor for constructing one's life, character, moral framework, spiritual destiny, and perhaps one's contribution to the Kingdom of God. It implies effort, planning, and perseverance.
• His house (αὐτοῦ τὴν οἰκίαν - autou tēn oikian): Symbolizes the entirety of one's life—their spiritual condition, their character, their salvation, and their standing before God. It's a structure meant to endure.
• On the rock (ἐπὶ τὴν πέτραν - epi tēn petran): The foundation chosen by the wise builder. Petra (rock) signifies solid, impenetrable bedrock. In the Palestinian context, houses built on rock would withstand flash floods that washed away those on sandy soil. Spiritually, this rock represents the unwavering truth, divine authority, and eternal nature of Jesus' words and ultimately, Christ Himself as the ultimate foundation (1 Cor 3:11, 1 Pet 2:4-8). It's the stable, unyielding base against which the storms of life and final judgment are powerless.

Words-Group by Words-Group analysis:

• Therefore everyone who hears...and acts on them: This phrase creates the pivotal contrast and condition. "Hearing" represents receiving God's revelation or Christ's teaching. "Acting on them" signifies practical obedience, integrating these teachings into one's daily life and decisions. It highlights the transformation from passive reception to active living.
• These words of Mine...may be compared to a wise man: This establishes Jesus' divine authority and wisdom as the absolute standard. It is His words that form the basis of true wisdom. The comparison to a "wise man" directly correlates understanding Christ's words with applied intelligence and foresight in the most critical matters of life.
• Who built his house on the rock: This metaphorical construction emphasizes stability, security, and permanence in the face of inevitable testing. The "house" is the individual's life, including their faith, character, and ultimate eternal destiny. The "rock" is the immovable and enduring foundation provided by consistent obedience to Jesus' authoritative teaching. This contrasts sharply with the "foolish man" building on sand (Mt 7:26), setting up a powerful binary for the reader to self-assess.

Matthew 7 24 Bonus section

This verse carries a powerful implication that hearing without doing constitutes a deceptive form of self-delusion, as articulated more fully by James. The wise man in the parable doesn't simply admire the rock or acknowledge its existence; he actively uses it as the bedrock for his construction. This requires effort, foresight, and a commitment to difficult excavation before any visible structure can emerge. This concept counters any form of cheap grace or intellectualized Christianity that divorces belief from behavior. Furthermore, the "rock" foundation symbolizes Christ Himself (1 Cor 3:11) and His unchangeable words, emphasizing that discipleship is fundamentally about allegiance and submission to His Lordship. The historical/cultural context of wadi construction and sudden floods in Palestine makes this parable highly illustrative. A seemingly "good" house on sand might appear sturdy during fair weather, only to collapse in a storm, analogous to a faith that looks acceptable but crumbles under testing or judgment.

Matthew 7 24 Commentary

Matthew 7:24 introduces the linchpin of true discipleship, distilling the essence of the entire Sermon on the Mount: effective spiritual living is not merely about acknowledging or assenting to Christ's teachings, but profoundly integrating them into one's life through consistent obedience. Jesus posits a universal principle: everyone who hears His authoritative words faces a choice – either to be a wise builder who actively implements them, or a foolish one who neglects them. The wisdom is not theoretical but practical, demonstrating foresight and understanding the enduring nature of divine truth as opposed to fleeting or unstable worldly foundations. The "house" symbolizes the disciple's life, character, and ultimate standing before God, built to withstand the inevitable trials, challenges, and even the final judgment ("the rains... the floods... the winds" in 7:25). To build on the "rock"—Jesus' words and the truth they embody—is to construct a life that will endure because its foundation is divine and unyielding. The alternative, building on "sand," implies a life rooted in superficiality, self-reliance, or a faith lacking practical outworking, which will inevitably collapse under pressure. This verse serves as a powerful call to action, reminding us that salvation, though by grace through faith, expresses itself in a life of purposeful, obedient response to the Lord's commands, shaping eternal destiny.