NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible | Page 120
Matthew 8:2 | 1713
7:12 j Lk 6:31 k Ro 13:8-
10; Gal 5:14
7:13 l Lk 13:24
7:15 m Jer 23:16;
Mt 24:24; Mk 13:22;
Lk 6:26; 2Pe 2:1;
1Jn 4:1; Rev 16:13
n Ac 20:29
7:16 o Mt 12:33;
Lk 6:44 p Jas 3:12
7:19 q Mt 3:10
7:21 r Hos 8:2;
Mt 25:11 s Ro 2:13;
Jas 1:22
7:22 t Mt 10:15
u 1Co 13:1‑3
7:23 v Ps 6:8;
Mt 25:12, 41;
Lk 13:25‑27
7:24 w Jas 1:22‑25
7:28 x Mt 11:1; 13:53;
19:1; 26:1 y Mt 13:54;
Mk 1:22; 6:2;
Lk 4:32; Jn 7:46
z
8:2 Lk 5:12 a Mt 9:18;
15:25; 18:26; 20:20
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask
him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, j for this sums
up the Law and the Prophets. k
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. l For wide is the gate and b
road is the road that l eads
to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few find it.
True and False Prophets
15 “Watch out for f alse prophets. m They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly
they are ferocious wolves. n 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. o Do people pick grapes
from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? p 17 Likewise, every good tree b
ears good fruit, but
a bad tree b
ears bad f ruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad f ruit, and a bad tree cannot bear
good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. q
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
True and False Disciples
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ r will enter the kingdom of heaven, but
only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. s 22 Many will say to me on
that day, t ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name d
rive out de
mons and in your name perform many miracles?’ u 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never
knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ v
The Wise and Foolish Builders
7:24-27pp — Lk 6:47-49
24 “Therefore everyone who h
ears t hese words of mine and puts them into practice w is
like a wise man who b
uilt his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose,
and the winds blew and beat a
gainst that h
ouse; yet it did not fall, because it had its foun
dation on the rock. 26 But everyone who h
ears t hese words of mine and does not put them
into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat a
gainst that h
ouse, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, x the crowds were amazed at his teach
ing, y 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy
8:2-4pp — Mk 1:40-44; Lk 5:12-14
8
When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large c rowds followed him. 2 A man
with leprosy a z came and k
nelt before him a and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can
make me c lean.”
a 2
The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
inherent sinfulness of all, even the best of
parents.
7:12 The “Golden Rule” summarizes Jesus’
ethics in this sermon. Other teachers, ancient
and modern, including Hillel (see note on 5:31),
made similar statements negatively: “Don’t
do to others what you don’t want them to do
to you.” Jesus’ positive phrasing makes obedi-
ence something that can never be complete.
7:13 – 27 The conclusion of Jesus’ great ser-
mon employs three analogies to illustrate
there are only two ways — a right way and a
wrong way — to respond to his message: nar-
row versus broad gates and roads, good versus
bad fruit, and building on rock versus building
on sand.
7:13 – 14 narrow. The narrow way involves
constraint and hardship. many . . . few. This
does not mean that only a tiny percentage of
the world’s population of all time will ever be
saved, but it does suggest the number will not
be large.
7:15 false prophets. Claimed to speak on be-
half of God when in fact they did not. sheep’s
clothing. Implies that they looked harmless,
like part of the “flock” of Jesus’ followers.
ferocious wolves. Depict the damage they
will actually do to God’s people through their
teaching and/or behavior (cf. Ezek 22:27).
7:16 – 20 fruit. Works or behavior. The focus
on good versus bad works or behavior could
suggest that doctrine or beliefs are irrelevant,
but v. 23 makes it clear that one must have a
relationship with Jesus as well.
7:21 – 22 The good works that false prophets
can perform may include even what we asso-
ciate with Christian leadership, what appears
to be miraculous, and what is alleged to be
done in Jesus’ name (i.e., by his power). Still,
none of these is a foolproof criterion for de-
termining what truly comes from God.
7:24 – 27 The Parable of the Wise and Foolish
Builders. Numerous wadis, or dry gulches, in
and around Israel made this parable particu-
larly apt. Those tempted to erect even tem-
porary shelters in the flat, parched stream
beds might find themselves swept away in
the flash floods that a sudden downpour
could create. Jesus is not teaching salvation
by works because v. 23 has just stressed the
need for an actual relationship with him.
Jesus is commanding what John the Baptist
calls “fruit in keeping with repentance” (3:8).
7:28 – 29 Jesus’ audience is astonished at the
“authority” with which Christ preaches — “not
as the ir teachers of the law,” who wielded
considerable authority but normally quoted
Scripture or other rabbis to support their per-
spectives. Jesus rarely does the first and never
does the second. His sovereign pronounce-
ments reflect direct, divine declarations. Only
someone viewing himself as a divine spokes-
man would likely speak in such a fashion.
8:1 — 9:34 J esus’ Authoritative Miracle-
Working Ministry. Matt 9:35 forms a “book-
end” with 4:23. The Sermon on the Mount
illustrates Jesus’ authoritative preaching and
teaching, as mentioned in these two framing