Matthew 7:27 kjv

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 7:27 nkjv

and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

Matthew 7:27 niv

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7:27 esv

And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it."

Matthew 7:27 nlt

When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 27 Meaning

Matthew 7:27 signifies the complete and catastrophic ruin that befalls those who hear the words of Jesus but fail to put them into practice. This verse concludes the parable of the two builders, illustrating that mere intellectual assent or outward profession without genuine obedience leads to utter destruction when the inevitable storms of life and divine judgment come. The "great fall" emphasizes the devastating and irreversible consequence of building one's life on a foundation of disobedience or self-deception, rather than on the solid rock of Christ's teachings and their active application.

Matthew 7 27 Context

This verse is the culminating warning at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew chapters 5-7. Jesus, having laid out profound ethical and spiritual principles for true discipleship, concludes with a stark choice. He shifts from teaching what a disciple is to emphasizing the consequence of obedience or disobedience to His teachings. Specifically, it belongs to the parable of the wise and foolish builders (Matt 7:24-27), immediately following Jesus' warning against false prophets and those who claim to know Him but do not obey (Matt 7:15-23). The historical context reveals that houses in Palestine were either built on bedrock, making them sturdy against seasonal rains and floods, or on loose, unconsolidated soil, which appeared stable in dry seasons but proved treacherous in storms. This cultural reality provided a vivid and relatable image for Jesus' listeners, symbolizing the certainty of future judgment and the vital necessity of living out His words, not merely hearing them.

Matthew 7 27 Word analysis

• and (καὶ - kai): A simple conjunction connecting this verse to the preceding action (the coming of storms upon the house). It introduces the inevitable consequence.
• it fell (ἔπεσεν - epesen): From the verb pipto (to fall). This is an aorist active indicative verb, denoting a sudden, completed, and definitive action. The house didn't just sway or suffer damage; it completely collapsed, signifying an irreversible ruin. Its singular action conveys finality.
• and (καὶ - kai): Connects the fact of the fall to the nature of the fall. It highlights the significance of the event.
• great (μεγάλη - megale): A feminine singular adjective modifying "fall." It emphasizes the immense scale, severity, and devastation of the collapse. It was not a partial or minor fall, but one of overwhelming consequence.
• was (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect indicative of eimi (to be). It describes a continuous state or condition. In this context, it reinforces that the "greatness" of the fall was its characteristic and enduring outcome, emphasizing the complete nature of the ruin.
• the fall (ἡ πτῶσις - hē ptōsis): A feminine singular noun, also derived from pipto. It refers not merely to the act of falling, but to the resulting state of ruin, collapse, or overthrow. This noun underscores the outcome – a total and complete wreckage, signifying spiritual, moral, and eternal destruction.
• of it (αὐτῆς - autēs): A feminine singular genitive pronoun referring back to "the house" built on sand. It explicitly links the catastrophe to the unsound foundation and the foolish builder.
• "and it fell, and great was the fall of it": This entire phrase, utilizing repetition of the concept of "falling," functions as a powerful rhetorical device (polyptoton, using different forms of the same root word). This literary technique amplifies the finality and totality of the destruction. It is an emphatic pronouncement of utter ruin, underscoring the spiritual bankruptcy and ultimate condemnation of those who build their lives on disobedience.

Matthew 7 27 Bonus section

The parable’s vivid imagery underscores the certainty of future judgment. The storm (rain, floods, wind) represents not just metaphorical life struggles but explicitly points towards eschatological testing and the final judgment. The "great fall" serves as a warning of eternal separation from God for those whose foundation is not obedience to Jesus. The emphasis shifts from the building process to the result and impact of a flawed foundation, highlighting the severity and inescapability of the consequences. The story ends not with hope for rebuilding, but with the stark reality of irreparable devastation.

Matthew 7 27 Commentary

Matthew 7:27 delivers a stark and sobering message: mere hearing of God's Word without active obedience leads to catastrophic and total ruin when tested by life's trials and final judgment. The "greatness" of the fall signifies an irreversible, comprehensive destruction of one's spiritual and eternal hopes. This is not a partial collapse, but an utter disintegration, emphasizing that a superficial or self-deceptive faith ultimately yields no protection against divine reckoning. True discipleship is evidenced by putting Christ's teachings into practice, for only then is one truly building on the secure foundation that can withstand all storms.