Interpretive Study of Matthew's Gospel - Summary.

Jesus Fulfilled God's Law and Proved that He was / is God's Christ.

Chapter links: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, God.

Prior Summary Chapters

Chapter 1 Summary : the physical ancestry of Jesus which proves that He is the Son of David.

Matthew 1:1-17 occurs first, in the time sequence of the life of Jesus Christ, because it provides the list of the legal ancestors of Jesus before His birth. Matthew 1:18 starts with Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise, which means that what Matthew presented before that sentence occurred before the events of that sentence. Moving on, Luke 1 has the account of the birth of John the Baptist and occurs, time wise, between Matthew 1:17 and Matthew 1:18. Then Matthew 1:18-25 occur. After those events, we have the events of Luke 2:1 through the first phrase of Luke 2:39. Please see the Doctrinal Study called Gospel Time Sequences for related references in the time sequence of the physical life of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 1:18-25 presents the birth of Jesus. This event is also recorded as reported in Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-5 and John 1:9-14. Each of these presentations take a different perspective. John presents the spiritual view. Matthew presents the legal view and his genealogy traces through Joseph, who is the adoptive, and legal, father of Jesus but not the physical father. Luke presents the physical view and his genealogy traces through Mary, who is the physical mother of Jesus but is not recognized under Jewish Law because she is female. Each Gospel author reveals the perspective of his Gospel with this opening event. Please remember that Matthew, as a former government employee, presents the perspective of keeping the Law. Luke, as a physician, presents the view of a physical man. John, the beloved disciple, presents the spiritual view because true love comes from God and is spiritual in nature. In addition, as a disciple of Jesus, john would have learned to understand the spiritual perspective of God's word. Further, the Prophecy Fulfilled Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, gives the Old Testament prophecies of this event and the new Testament references to the fulfillment of the prophecy.

The birth of Jesus was prophesied as reported in Matthew 1:18-21 and Luke 1:26-38. In addition, the Prophecy Fulfilled Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, gives the Old Testament prophecies of this event and the new Testament references to the fulfillment of the prophecy.

The theme of our chapter is; Jesus is God's Christ. We see this theme fulfilled by the points of legal evidence presented by Matthew within our chapter. Matthew 1:1-17 is the first point of the legal evidence presented by Matthew in this chapter. In his first point, Matthew shows that Jesus fulfilled the requirements of character and of geology.

Next, in Matthew 1:18, we have the witness of prophecy which tells us that Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). Our sentence says that Mary fulfilled this requirement.

Next, in Matthew 1:19-21, we have the witness of an angel to Joseph, who was minded to put her (Mary) away privily but changed his mind and accepted the public shame. This is evidence that Joseph accepted the message from God through the angel.

Next, in Matthew 1:22-23, we have the prophecy which proves that the virgin birth was from God. Only God fulfills Bible prophecy.

Next, in Matthew 1:24-25, we have Joseph accepting the warning from God, through a vision which woke him. He took Mary and Jesus and ran to Egypt in the middle of the night. He did not wait until morning to start the journey properly.

Lastly, in Matthew 1:24-25, we have the statement that Joseph: knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son. The midwife, who helped to deliver the child, would have been a witness to this fact and certainly would have gossiped about it to all of her friends. This is the evidence that Isaiah 7:14 was fulfilled.

In our next chapter, Matthew tells us about the wise men who came seeking the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:2). This is another evidence that Jesus is God's Christ, even though it is presented as a separate incident. As seen in the other verses and notes on King of the Jews, that title is part of the role of the Christ.

What we see here are seven (7) points which would be accepted as evidence in a righteous court of law. These seven (7) points are the evidence which Matthew gives to prove that Jesus is God's Christ.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-17. the genealogy of Christ from Abraham to Joseph.
18. He is miraculously conceived of the Holy Ghost by the Virgin Mary, when she was espoused to Joseph.
19-25. the angel satisfies the doubts of Joseph, and declares the names and office of Christ: Jesus is born.
A.M. 4000. B.C. 4.'.

C1-S1 : Declare the character and linage of Jesus Christ.
1. The phrase The book of the generation of Jesus Christ means: 'This is the legal lineage from Abraham through Jesus'.
2. The phrase the son of David means: 'Jesus displayed the character of king David physically fulfilled the requirements to inherit the throne of king David' Please see the Prophecy Fulfilled Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, which has references to the prophecy which this phrase says was fulfilled.
3. The phrase the son of Abraham means: 'Jesus displayed the character of Abraham and spiritually fulfilled the requirements to inherit the promises made by God to Abraham'.
C1-S2 : Declare the detail legal linage of Jesus Christ. The most important part of this sentence are the last phrases which are: Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Jewish inheritance was computed as passed through the males. Since Joseph was considered to be the legal father of Jesus, the inheritance of the throne, on this world, was computer to pass to Jesus through Joseph. In addition, he phrase who is called Christ means: 'Jesus Christ inherited all of the physical promises, in this world, which were made by God to Christ. That includes being King of the kingdom of God on this physical Earth'.
C1-S3 : Declare the pattern in the lineage. Our sentence says: So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. I believe that there is a symbolic meaning to what is written here, but I can not declare it.
C1-S4 : Declare the relevant details of the birth.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was said in the prior sentences. The first sentence provided a summary account. The second sentence provided a detail account. The third sentence provided a symbolic account'.
2. The phrase Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise means: 'This is the understanding (wisdom) which is to be applied to this particular birth'.
3. The phrase When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph means: 'They had an agreement to be married. The practices of courtship and marriage vary with different cultures. If those details are important to the reader then they can find the Jewish practices, of that time, elsewhere'.
4. The phrase before they came together means: 'They had not had sex'.
5. The phrase she was found with child of the Holy Ghost means: 'Mary was pregnant even while still being a virgin'. At least one man-written perverted so-called bible changes the word virgin to be 'young girl' so that they can deny the doctrine of the virgin birth and deny that the physical father of Jesus was God's Holy Ghost. They prove themselves to be liars by claiming this sentence, in the word of God, to be a lie.
6. This sentence is a fulfilled the prophecy found in Isaiah 7:14.
C1-S5 : State the reaction and relevant thought of Joseph.
1. The phrase Then Joseph her husband means: 'He was her husband in their culture even though they had not, yet, had sex'.
2. The phrase being a just man means: 'Joseph did what was right and intended by the law even if it was not literally written in the law'.
3. The phrase and not willing to make her a publick example means: 'Joseph wanted to avoid any unnecessary embarrassment'.
4. The phrase was minded to put her away privily means: 'Joseph was going to end the relationship because Mary was pregnant and he did not believe that she was still virgin and that the baby was God's doing'.
C1-S6 : State God's intervention. This sentence is part of the legal evidence presented by Matthew in this chapter to show that Jesus is God's Christ. Please see the general note, above, about the listing of the seven (7) points of legal evidence presented by Matthew.
1. Our sentence starts with the word But, which means it is still continuing to tell about the thoughts of Joseph while telling us that those thoughts changed direction.
2. The phrase But while he thought on these thing. means: 'The rest of this sentence happened at the same time as Joseph was thinking about what the do'.
3. The phrase behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream means: 'This is how God sent Joseph a message'.
4. The phrase saying, Joseph, thou son of David means: 'The angel started his message with the character of Joseph, which was spiritual like king David'. King David didn't always do right but he always wanted to please God.
5. The phrase fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife means: 'Stop worrying about Mary's condition and who was the father and your future relationship'.
6. The phrase for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost means: 'She is pregnant from God's Holy Ghost. She has not been unfaithful with another man. She is Godly, just like you desire'.
7. This sentence is a fulfilled the prophecy found in Psalms 2:7 and Isaiah 7:14.
C1-S7 : Declare the relevant part of God's plan.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the propose of the pregnancy of Mary.
2. The phrase And she shall bring forth a son means: 'There will be a birth of a boy'.
3. The phrase and thou shalt call his name JESUS means: 'There is a special emphasis with this name using all capital letters'. Symbolically, it means 'spiritual salvation' where the name spelled in the regular manner is: 'the name of a literal physical man'.
4. The phrase for he shall save his people from their sins means: 'Here's why He was given that name. There is a lie from devils which claims that 'He will save His people from the consequence of sin while they continue to live for sin'. However, our phrase really means 'He will get them out of a lifestyle of sinning'. This is speaking about a truly changed life and not a free pass to continue to live in sin'.
C1-S8 : Give the scriptural basis.
1. The word Now means: 'After you understand what was said prior to this'. Joseph did not know or did not consider, that God would use Mary to fulfill prophecy and birth God's Christ. No man would think that, which is why God sent an anger to Joseph in order to explain things to him. And, consider the character that Joseph had to have had in order for God to approve him for the role which God put him into.
2. The phrase Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying means: 'This sentence references Isaiah 7:14 and Isaiah 8:8 '.
3. The phrase Behold, a virgin shall be with child means: 'Miraculous pregnancy'. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about this, and similar, miracles.
4. The phrase and shall bring forth a son means: 'Jesus had to be male because God only gives certain spiritual gifts and positions to men'.
5. The phrase and they shall call his name Emmanuel. Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, about titles in this sentence.
6. The phrase which being interpreted is means: 'Here is the meaning of that name'.
7. The phrase God with us means: 'Jesus was / is God in human flesh'.
C1-S9 : Joseph did as he was commanded and ignored all of the gossips in town.
1. The phrase Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him means: 'Joseph was obedient'.
2. The phrase and took unto him his wife means: 'He fulfilled all of the responsibilities of a husband and was not resentful'.
3. The phrase And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son means: 'They had no sex before Jesus was born'.
4. The phrase and he called his name JESUS means: 'They named Him as commanded'.

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Chapter 2 Summary : the first true worship of Jesus.

All of Matthew 2 and Luke 2 deal with the birth and early life of Jesus . The sentences, and their related notes, need to be considered together in order to get the full picture of what God is telling us. The two chapters give us different perspectives of the same incidents.

The reports of the ministry of Jesus, before His going to Jerusalem for the last time, can not be put into an exact time sequence since we are not given enough information to do so. However, we can do a little better with the reports of the early life of Jesus. There is not a lot of information about His early life. But, in General, Matthew 1:1-17 occur first in time. Then we have Luke 1 occur in time. Matthew 1:18-25 occurs during the time of Luke 1:39-80, but we can not be more exact on the timing of those events than what is reported here.

Luke 2:1-38 occurs next in the time sequence. Then Matthew 2: with Matthew 2:21-23 being the same event as Luke 2:39. The rest of Luke 2 (Luke 2:40-52) occurs before Matthew 3; Luke 3; Mark 1 and John 1 all start telling us about the ministry of John the Baptist. All of the Gospel writers consider that event to be the true beginning of the ministry of Jesus.

In addition to being part of the legal proof, this chapter tells us about the miraculous appearance of the star that not only led the wise men from a far country to Judea, but also led them directly to the house that Jesus was at. This miracle is mentioned in Matthew 2:1-2 and in Matthew 2:9-11. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels about this, and similar, miracles.

Matthew 2:1-12 tells us about the appearance of the wise men.

Matthew 2:5-6 and John 7:41-42 let us know that Jews, who were alive at the time of the Gospels, knew the truth about where Christ would be born.

Matthew 2:5; Luke 2:4; Luke 2:11 fulfill the prophecy about the birth of Christ found in Psalms 132:11; Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; Micah 5:2. In addition, John 7:42 lets us know that many Jews knew this prophecy.

Matthew 2:13-23 reports the trip to Egypt and the return from Egypt by Joseph, Mary and Jesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-2. the wise men from the east inquire after Christ;
3-8. at which Herod is alarmed.
9-12. they are directed by a star to Bethlehem, worship him, and offer their presents.
13-15. Joseph flees into Egypt with Jesus and his mother.
16-19. Herod slays the children;
20-22. himself dies.

23. Christ is brought back again into Galilee to Nazareth.
Fourth year before the account called Anno Domini.'.

C2-S1 : God let Gentiles know about the birth.
1. The phrase Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king means: 'After His birth'. The phrase was born is past tense. In addition, our phrase tells us where and in what part of History. Please see the Section called Prophecies in the Significant Gospel Events Study.
2. The phrase behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem means: 'These were probably descendants from Abraham and the wife that he had after Sarah died'.
3. The phrase Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? means: 'They knew prophecy but we can not be positive what was the source of their knowledge'.
C2-S2 : the wise men state why they are there Our sentence says: for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels document for Bible references to other miracles performed in the Gospels.
C2-S3 : the wise men cause a stir throughout the city and government.
1. The phrase When Herod the king had heard these things means: 'They caused enough of a stir that the heard of their arrival'.
2. The phrase he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him means: 'Three strangers coming into a city would not cause this reaction. The Roman Catholics claim that there were three wise men because we are told of three gifts. However, with possible dangers of travel and with the reported stir on the city, it probably was a larger group of travelers, even if only three gifts are all that are reported'.
C2-S4 : King Herod prepared for a challenge of his position.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction of the king to the report of him hearing the news.
2. The phrase And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together means: 'The king gathered everyone who should be able to find the answer in scripture'. Herod demanded the answer from the priests because that was their job according to Malachi 2:7.
3. The phrase he demanded of them where Christ should be born means: 'The king demanded that they give him this answer' the place of the birth of Christ is in Micah 5:2.
C2-S5 : the question is answered by consulting scripture.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. It is adding the answer from the priests.
2. The phrase And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea. means: 'The word of God is the only book in the world with detail prophecy which has been proven to be 100% correct for all fulfilled prophecy. There are other so-called sources of prophecy but that are not as specific as this prophecy, which can only be fulfilled by one place in all of the Earth'.
3. The phrase for thus it is written by the prophet means: 'They found the answer in scripture'.
4. The phrase And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel means: 'The message is the same even though the words are not exactly the same'. This happens in other places where Old Testament prophecy is references in the New Testament. Some times that is because the Old Testament goes Hebrew to English while the New Testament goes Hebrew to Greek to English. And, sometimes God deliberately does this to show us that it is the message, which is never changed, and not the way that it is expressed, which is important.
C2-S6 : King Herod determined the physical age of God's Christ.
1. The phrase Then Herod means: 'This is who acted'.
2. The phrase when he had privily called the wise men means: 'This is when and how he acted'.
3. The phrase inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared means: 'This is the information which he sought'.
C2-S7 : King Herod lies about his intention.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the action of the king after he received the information which he sought.
2. The phrase And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said means: 'The king told them where to go but also gave them additional instructions'.
3. The phrase Go and search diligently for the young child means: 'This was the first thing that they were to do. Notice that he did not say infant. This is because enough time had passed for Jesus to become a young child. And, with the time change, they were no longer camping out in a manger'.
4. The phrase and when ye have found him means: 'The king expected it to take them time and effort'.
5. The phrase bring me word again means: 'Tell me where you find him'.
6. The phrase that I may come and worship him also means: 'This is the result that the king claimed to want. However, he lied and sent his soldiers to murder all male children two years old and younger'.
C2-S8 : God finished guiding them to their destination.
1. The phrase When they had heard the king means: 'This was when they acted'.
2. The phrase they departed means: 'They left the king'.
3. The phrase and, lo means: 'pay attention and think about the next phrase'.
4. The phrase the star, which they saw in the east means: 'This is the same star which had guided them to the king'.
5. The phrase went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was means: 'Think about how high up a star is. It would take a beam of light, or something similar, to direct them to a specific house. There is more involved in this miracle than what most people realize'.
C2-S9 : Seeing God's direction brings great joy.
1. The phrase When they saw the star means: 'This was their guide from God'. Think about God guiding you so far, then appearing to stop guiding only, later, to provide guidance again. That is what they were feeling.
2. The phrase they rejoiced with exceeding great joy means: 'Their source of joy was spiritual in nature'.
C2-S10 : Wise men worship 'God in human flesh'.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds their actions when they found Jesus.
2. The phrase And when they were come into the house means: 'Notice that they were no longer in the manger but, apparently, stayed in the same area'.
3. The phrase they saw the young child with Mary his mother means: 'Mary kept Jesus close, especially with strangers coming to visit'.
4. The phrase and fell down, and worshipped him means: 'They recognized Him as God in human flesh and not just as a young child'.
5. The phrase and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts means: 'This is how we are supposed to approach any royalty, and especially deity'.
6. The phrase gold, and frankincense, and myrrh means: 'These are, supposedly, symbolism recognition of His royalty, His healing ministry and His death for our sins'.
C2-S11 : God protects true wise men.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the warning to not obey the lying king.
2. The phrase And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod means: 'This was the warning'.
3. The phrase they departed into their own country another way means: 'This was their response'.
C2-S12 : God protects His own.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the warning to Joseph.
2. The phrase And when they were departed means: 'This is when Joseph received the warning'.
3. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
4. The phrase the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying means: 'This is how Joseph received the warning'.
5. The phrase Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt means: 'This is what he was told to do and where to go'. This also set things up to fulfill another prophecy found in Hosea 11:1.
6. The phrase and be thou there until I bring thee word means: 'Wait until told otherwise'. Most people have problems with the command to wait.
7. The phrase for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him means: 'Here's why'.
C2-S13 : God always fulfills His prophecy.
1. The phrase When he arose means: 'Notice that he did not wait until morning'. Imagine how upset Mary must have been. She had to abandon whatever household things which she had collected and had to worry about the king's soldiers murdering her son.
2. The phrase he took the young child and his mother by night means: 'They did not delay for any reason'. There was a good chance that the king assigned a spy to follow the men from the East. If so, then the king would have quickly received word that they returned home another way and there would not have been much time before the soldiers came through and murdered all young children and infants.
3. The phrase and departed into Egypt means: 'This is where the angel told Joseph that God said to go'.
4. The phrase And was there until the death of Herod means: 'This was how long they stayed'.
5. The phrase that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying means: 'This is why'.
6. The phrase Out of Egypt have I called my son. This sentence fulfills the prophecy of Numbers 24:8 and Hosea 11:1. It is also related to, and some claim also fulfills a prophecy, in Exodus 4:22.
C2-S14 : King Herod reveals his true nature.
1. The phrase Then Herod means: 'This is the king who reacted'.
2. The phrase when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men means: 'This is when and why he reacted'.
3. The phrase was exceeding wroth means: 'This was his emotional response'.
4. The phrase and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof means: 'This was his ordered action'. Notice that he included all of the area near by just in case they were not within the city.
5. The phrase from two years old and under means: 'This is who he ordered murdered'.
6. The phrase according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men means: 'This was how he determined how old Jesus might be'.
C2-S15 : the reaction to Herod was prophesied.
1. The phrase Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying means: 'This sentence fulfills Jeremiah 31:15 '.
2. The phrase In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning means: 'This was the reaction of all of the people to the cruelty of the king'.
3. The phrase Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted means: 'This was the land of Benjamin, the son of Rachel'.
4. The phrase because they are not means: 'All of the young children were murdered'.
C2-S16 : the fulfillment of earlier mentioned prophecy.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Joseph, and his family, were living in Egypt. Now, they were told to return to the land of Israel.
2. The phrase But when Herod was dead means: 'This was when Joseph received new instructions'.
3. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
4. The phrase an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying means: 'Joseph received further instruction'.
5. The phrase Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel means: 'His obedience fulfilled prophecy which was already mentioned'.
6. The phrase for they are dead which sought the young child's life means: 'Here's why they could return to their own homeans culture'.
C2-S17 : Joseph returned with Mary and Jesus. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds that Joseph obeyed the new instructions. Our sentence says: And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
C2-S18 : Jesus was raised in Nazareth.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Joseph returned to the land of Israel while not returning to the prior region where he used to live.
2. Our sentence starts with the word But because: 'While Joseph returned to the land, he did not return to the city that they were in before fleeing to Egypt'.
3. The phrase But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod means: 'Joseph heard that where that new king ruled would also pose a danger'.
4. The phrase he was afraid to go thither means: 'He was afraid to return to the land ruled by him'.
5. The phrase notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream means: 'God told Joseph where to go'.
6. The phrase he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth means: 'This is where God told Joseph to go to live'.
7. The phrase that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets means: 'This was God's desired result'.
8. The phrase He shall be called a Nazarene means: 'This is different from being called a Nazarite, even though many people confuse the two titles'. This title represents a place while the title of Nazarite represents a special relationship with God.

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Chapter 3 Summary : the ministry of John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:6 introduce John the Baptist. Please use this link provided to see the full Study on John the Baptist; including links to notes which deal with every place in the Bible where he is named. Please also see the Message called Basic doctrine of Baptism.

Matthew 3:10; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:15-17 and John 1:33 have the prophecy from John the Baptist that Jesus shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Matthew and Luke also tell us: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:15-17 and John 1:33 all promise that Jesus shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. However, this promise was not made to everyone but only to people who had already repented.

Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11 and Luke 3:21-22 report the baptism of Jesus.

Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22 and John 12:28 tell us that God spoke in an audible voice from Heaven.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-6. John preaches: his office, life, and baptism.
7-12. He reprehends the Pharisees,
13-17. and baptizes Christ in Jordan. '.

C3-S1 : the introduction of John the Baptist.
1. The phrase In those days came John the Baptist means: 'This introduces him and this chapter tells us about his ministry for God'.
2. The phrase preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying means: 'This is where and what he was doing'. A lot of people think that a wilderness is a barren desert, but that is wrong. Please see the Detailed Note for the correct definition.
3. The phrase Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand means: 'Turn from your life of sin towards obedience to God'. The word repent it taught wrong with preachers claiming that it means 'turn 180 degrees'. But our relationship with men is horizontal while our relationship with God is vertical. Someone can turn from being a good Buddhist to being a good Roman Catholic and that have not truly Biblically repented. True Biblically repentance is 'always turning towards God with an attitude of: I will obey God'.
C3-S2 : the prophecy about John the Baptist.
1. The phrase For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying means: 'Here's why John the Baptist preached where and how he preached'. This is a quote of Isaiah 40:3 and a reference to Malachi 3:1 and to Malachi 4:5.
2. The phrase The voice of one crying in the wilderness means: 'He didn't go to where all of the people gathered and where the rich priests addressed people in their fancy buildings'.
3. The phrase Prepare ye the way of the Lord means: 'Get ready to face your Lord God and His judgment'. The world tells us that a prophet's job is to tell us about the future. However, that was a very small part of their message and was only there as evidence to the people that the rest of their message was from their Lord God. The main message, of all of God's true prophets, was to tell the people the message from their Lord God, which was 'a warning about laws and judgment'. We have 'One interpretation and many applications'. The true law of the Lord is said literally in the word of God at least twice. If something is said only indirectly or only once then it is the basis of the many applications. The priests of that day, and the preachers of today, concentrate on preaching the many applications. And, over time, devils get them to corrupt their doctrine until their message goes against the true law of the Lord. When that happened in the past, God sent them a prophet to correct their doctrine. And, the priests and preachers got upset with a true prophet and sought to kill him. That is why the priests and Pharisees offered no objection to the king arresting and killing John the Baptist.
4. The phrase make his paths straight means: 'Let people go directly to the Lord and make it easy for people to understand the law of the Lord'.
C3-S3 : the lifestyle of John the Baptist.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the lifestyle of John the Baptist to the report of his message. A truthful person will live what they preach.
2. The phrase And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins means: 'This was his clothing. Notice that he did not spend lots of money on clothing. In addition, since he lived in the wilderness of the Middle East, he did not spend any money on housing'.
3. The phrase and his meat was locusts and wild honey means: 'This was his diet'. Again, he did not spend money on food. In face, he relied on God to provide all of his physical needs and had no use for money.
C3-S4 : the common reaction to John the Baptist's preaching.
1. The phrase Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan means: 'This is where people came from to hear his preaching'. Notice that he did not go to the people. God caused the people to go to him.
2. The phrase And were baptized of him in Jordan means: 'The people were identified with the message of repentance which John the Baptist preached'. The word baptize means: 'identified with'. (Please see the messages called Basic doctrine of Baptism and Baptism Gets God's Mercy.) Also, Acts 19 tells us about people who repented and were baptized with John's baptism, but were not saved. He only prepared the way of the Lord but people still had to accept Jesus as their Lord in an ongoing personal relationship in order to be truly saved. (That is the main lesson of the reference in Acts 19.)
C3-S5 : the rejection of John the Baptist.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. John changed his message from a friendly type which invited people to turn to God to a warning of the wrath of God when the religious leaders showed up. He did this because they wanted the outward show of repentance, by going to John's baptism, while refusing to change the attitude of their inward person. And, we see many churches filled with people who have the same attitudes today.
2. The phrase But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism means: 'This is when John changed his message due to his audience including a different type of person. A true messenger of God delivers the message from God that his audience needs to hear'.
3. The phrase , he said unto them means: 'This was the message to religious liars'.
4. The phrase O generation of vipers means: 'Your doctrine and practices are a deadly poison to God's people'.
5. The phrase who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? means: 'God is going to bring His wrath upon you because you turn people away from a true heart service to God'.
C3-S6 : God's demand given through John the Baptist.
1. The phrase Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance means: 'As a direct result of your lying past (therefore), bring spiritually living evidence of a truly changed heart and life before asking to be accepted by God's prophet'.
2. The phrase And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father means: 'Do not rely upon your physical associations because those do not affect your spiritual relationship with God other than to interfere with a true relationship'.
3. The phrase for I say unto you means: 'Here's why God's prophet gives you that message'.
4. The phrase that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham means: 'God does not need you nor anything that you have, or affect, in this physical world in order to have true children unto Abraham'. When the religious leaders claimed that Abraham was their father, Jesus told them that if that were true, then they would do the works of Abraham. However, they proved that the devil was their true father because they did the works of the devil (John 8:39-40).
C3-S7 : the prophecy from John the Baptist.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. John the Baptist is adding a prophecy of future judgment for religious people who fail to produce true spiritual fruit.
2. The phrase And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees means: 'God is going to cut down the religious work of the false representatives of God'.
3. The phrase therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down means: 'All religious works which do not produce Godly spiritual life will be destroyed'.
4. The phrase and cast into the fire means: 'All of the people producing false religion will be cast into Hell'.
C3-S8 : the comparison from John the Baptist.
1. The phrase I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance means: 'This was the message and job of John the Baptist'.
2. The phrase but he that cometh after me is mightier than I means: 'Jesus has far more spiritual might since He is truly God in human flesh'.
3. The phrase whose shoes I am not worthy to bear means: 'John felt that he was not worthy to do even the job of a child servant'.
4. The phrase he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost means: 'Jesus will identify His true followers with an ongoing personal relationship with God through God's Holy Ghost. The true evidence of that relationship will be a changed life due to the work of God's Holy Ghost'.
5. The phrase and with fire means: 'Jesus will identify His true followers with a life which burns our sin and makes them 'on fire' for the things of God'.
6. The phrase Whose fan is in his hand means: 'Jesus holds the means to separate true believers from false professors'.
7. The phrase and he will throughly purge his floor means: 'Jesus will completely separate the true from the false'.
8. The phrase and gather his wheat into the garner means: 'The true servants of God will be gathered together into Heaven'.
9. The phrase but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire means: 'The false servants of God will be gathered together into Hell'.
C3-S9 : the baptism of Jesus.
1. The phrase Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John means: 'Jesus walked for however many days as were required to reach John the Baptist'.
2. The phrase to be baptized of him means: 'Jesus was identified with the truly repentant'.
C3-S10 : the objection of John the Baptist.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Jesus went to John for baptism while John thought that Jesus should baptize him.
2. The phrase But John forbad him, saying means: 'John the Baptist voiced his objection'.
3. The phrase I have need to be baptized of thee means: 'John needed to be identified with God's Holy Ghost'.
4. The phrase and comest thou to me? means: 'John the Baptist did not understand why Jesus needed to be identified with sinners who truly repented'.
C3-S11 : the command to John the Baptist.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus to the objection from John the Baptist.
2. The phrase And Jesus answering said unto him means: 'This was the answer from Jesus'.
3. The phrase Suffer it to be so now means: 'Allow what you do not understand'.
4. The phrase for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness means: 'Here's why. It was righteous for Jesus to be identified with those people who would become His spiritual brethren. And, Old Testament prophecy said that He would do this'.
C3-S12 : the compliance of John the Baptist. Our sentence says: Then he suffered him.
C3-S13 : the response to the baptism of Jesus.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And Jesus, when he was baptized means: 'This is what Jesus did after His baptism'.
3. The phrase went up straightway out of the water means: 'He could only do this if He was dunked under the water'.
4. The phrase and, lo means: 'Pay close attention to what was done'.
5. The phrase the heavens were opened unto him means: 'God the Father and God the Holy Ghost appeared from the heavens'.
6. The phrase and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him means: 'John the Baptist saw the sign that God told him to look for in order to identify the true Son of God' (John 1:30-34).
7. The phrase And lo a voice from heaven, saying means: 'Pay close attention. This sign came from God'.
8. The phrase This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased means: 'This is the message from God'. Please see the Detailed Note for links to other places where it is reported that God spoke from heaven in an audible voice.

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Chapter 4 Summary : the start of the ministry of Jesus.

The ministry of Jesus started with Him spending forty (40) days in the wilderness being tempted by Satan. He first had to prove that he depended on God the Father before he could minister to others. Likewise, almost all, if not all, true ministers of God must prove themselves at the start of their ministry. And, this is true for everyone and not just preachers. In addition, this testing process is repeated as God adds increases or new phases to an existing ministry.

We are told that Satan tempted Jesus three (3) different ways and He responded to each temptation with: It is written. This is our example of how to deal with temptation. (Please see the Doctrinal Study called What Did Jesus Do? for links in the Gospel accounts where Jesus provided us specific examples for how to deal with different circumstances of life.)

In the first temptation, Satan tempted Jesus with the desires of the lust of the flesh because He had not eaten in forty (40) days. In the second temptation, Satan tempted Jesus with the pride of life. In the third temptation, Satan tempted Jesus with the lust of the eyes. 1John 2:6 tells us that these are all that is in the world and that they are not of the Father, but are of the world. Thus, we see that Jesus was tempted in every way that we are tempted, yet He did no sin (1Peter 2:21-24).

After that, Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum in order to fulfill prophecy. During His Earthly life, Jesus fulfilled all of the prophecies which were made about Him. And, some of those prophecies, such as where He was born, He had no control over but God the Father made sure that they were fulfilled. This is one of the assurances that Jesus truly was the Son of God.

After that, we are told that He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His disciples. The other disciples were called at different times and the other Gospel accounts give us more details about these events. Please see the Detailed Notes for links to where the same events are reported in more than one Gospel account.

Our chapter ends with telling us that Jesus went about preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people and casting out devils. In addition, we are told And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. This was before the religious leaders started attacking His doctrine and turning people against Him. He did not remove the offer of the kingdom until after He was rejected by the religious leaders and many of the people. They wanted all of the benefits of the kingdom but were not willing to obey Him as their God given King. Likewise, many today claim to be 'Christian' and they 'claim' all of the promises found in the Bible even while they refuse to obey Jesus as their personal Lord. Such people need to seriously consider what John the Baptist told the hypocritical religious leaders.

Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13 report the temptation of Jesus, by Satan.

Matthew 4:5; Matthew 4:8-9; Luke 4:5 and Luke 4:9 tell us that the devil instantly transports Jesus. Please see the Section called Jesus and Devils in the Significant Gospel Events Study. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels document for Bible references to other miracles performed by Jesus.

Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14-15 and Luke 3:20 report that John the Baptist was put into prison.

Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14-15 and Luke 4:14-15 report that Jesus begins His ministry, and starts it in Nazareth of Galilee. That was the town which His family lived in.

Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-12; Luke 5:27-32 report that Jesus selected His first disciples.

Matthew 4:19, and several other Bible references, have the call of Jesus to: Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:38-45 and Luke 4:43-44 tell us how that Jesus expanded His ministry to the region around His home town. While He did this, we read that He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. Then, in Mark's and Luke's accounts, we read that He healed a leper. Meanwhile, Matthew lists several other diseases which he healed. All of these were done to prove to the people that His message came from God.

Matthew 4:23; Matthew 8:16-17; Matthew 12:15-23; Matthew 14:14, Matthew 35-36; Matthew 15:30-31; Matthew 21:14; Mark 1:32-34, Mark 1:39; Mark 3:9-21; Luke 4:40-41 and Luke 6:17-19 report that Jesus healed many diseased and possessed by devils. Please see the Section called Jesus and Devils in the Significant Gospel Events Study. Please also see the Table of Miracles in the Gospels document for Bible references to other miracles performed by Jesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-11. Christ, fasting forty days, is tempted of the devil and ministered unto by angels.
12-16. He dwells in Capernaum;
17. begins to preach;
18-20. calls Peter and Andrew,
21-22. James and John;
23-25. teaches and heals all the diseased.'.

C4-S1 : the ministry of Jesus started with a test by God the Father. Our sentence says: Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. means: ''. Notice that it was God's Holy Spirit Who did this. Many of the things which we think are 'bad' are actually given to us by God so that we will learn to depend upon Him and the word of God.
C4-S2 : the circumstances of the test.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds how Jesus prepared for His temptation.
2. The phrase And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights means: 'Fasting is a Biblical way to increase our spiritual power by getting closer to God and letting God work through us'.
3. The phrase he was afterward an hungred means: 'This is the physical result of fasting'.
C4-S3 : the first temptation was to satisfy the flesh.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. .
2. The phrase And when the tempter came to him means: 'Out tempter always comes when we appear to be weak'.
3. The phrase he said, If thou be the Son of God means: 'Satan was challenging His position as well as tempting His flesh. Satan was also tempting Him to prove His true spiritual position'.
4. The phrase command that these stones be made bread means: 'The first temptation was to satisfy the flesh'.
C4-S4 : the answer was to quote scripture.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. The subject is still temptation while the change is that Jesus did not give into the temptation.
2. The phrase But he answered and said means: 'Jesus answered Satan by quoting scripture'.
3. The phrase It is written means: 'This sentence quotes Deuteronomy 8:3 '.
4. The phrase Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God means: 'The word of God is to be more valuable to us than physical food'.
C4-S5 : the second temptation was to pride.
1. The phrase Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple means: 'This is the place of the second temptation. Notice that Satan did a miracle like all spirits can do, so long as God allows it'.
2. The phrase And saith unto him means: 'Satan said this to Jesus'.
3. The phrase If thou be the Son of God means: 'Satan still challenged His position with God'.
4. The phrase cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone means: 'Satan miss-quotes scripture by quoting part of Psalms 91:11-12, by leaving out the phrase to keep thee in all thy ways'. Ministers of Satan do the sameans devils even get 'good, godly, fundamental, Bible believing, KJV only, Baptists' to do the same. It does not matter what your position among men is, if you misquote the word of God, then you are serving Satan.
C4-S6 : the answer was to quote scripture.
1. The phrase Jesus said unto him means: 'Jesus answered the same way by quoting scripture again'.
2. The phrase It is written again means: 'This answer quotes Deuteronomy 6:16 and Deuteronomy 8:3. This verse is also the answer to Satan's misquote of Psalms 91:11-12 '.
3. The phrase Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God means: 'Don't try to make God sin'.
C4-S7 : the third temptation was the world.
1. The phrase Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them means: 'This is what Satan cheated out of Adam'.
2. The phrase And saith unto him means: 'What follows is what Satan said to Jesus'.
3. The phrase All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me means: 'This appears to be an offer to let Jesus reach His goals the easy way. However, His goal was not to rule this world but the save souls by changing the internal character of the truly saved. Matthew 16:26 says: For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?'.
C4-S8 : the answer was to quote scripture.
1. The phrase Then saith Jesus unto him means: 'The answer from Jesus to Satan follows'.
2. The phrase Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written means: 'We see this truth written in Exodus 20:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:6-7; 6:12-15; 10:20; 1Samuel 7:3; 2Kings 19:15; Isaiah 2:11; Joshua 24:14 and other places'.
3. The phrase Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve means: 'Our worship and service is to be to God alone'.
C4-S9 : God provided after the test.
1. The phrase Then the devil leaveth him means: 'Satan gave up on direct temptation'. Satan continued to use others to cause problems for Jesus, but he no longer directly tempted Jesus.
2. The phrase and, behold means: 'Pay close attention. What follows is what we can expect if we are successful in avoiding temptation'.
3. The phrase angels came and ministered unto him means: 'We may think that the angel is a normal person, and our helper may be a normal person. But, we can rely on God's blessing after we overcome temptation'.
C4-S10 : Matthew skips ahead in time for his account.
1. The phrase Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee means: 'The time sequence of the early ministry of Jesus can be difficult to determine and trying can be a distraction from the actual doctrine being reported. That written, it would appear as if John the Baptist was put in prison near the start of the ministry and not actually executed until quite some time later. What is important here is that Jesus moved to Capernaum'.
2. The phrase And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim means: 'He left the city of Joseph and Mary and His half brothers and half sisters' .
3. The phrase That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying means: 'This is why. This is a reference to the prophecy from Isaiah 9:1-2 '. The Detailed Note has more on the application of the prophecy to the time of the Gospel account.
4. The phrase The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles means: 'In the time of Isaiah, the land was given to Gentiles. In the time of Jesus, Jews were there but they were regarded as low class by other Jews'.
5. The phrase The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up means: 'The people were in spiritual darkness, which means they had no idea about how to understand spiritual truth. The great light, of course, was Jesus and he told them how to be saved (escape the shadow of death) and how to understand spiritual truths'.
C4-S11 : Jesus started with the same message that John the Baptist preached.
1. The phrase From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say means: 'This is how God determined that spiritual truth was to be spread'.
2. The phrase Repent means: 'This is the first requirement for receiving spiritual truth'.
3. The phrase for the kingdom of heaven is at hand means: 'Here's why. The time to get right with God is limited and if we don't act quickly then we might lose our chance to act'.
C4-S12 : Identification of two of the first disciples.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence tells us that Jesus added disciples to His ministry. It was not enough to get people saved. He needed to train others to carry on after He left this world.
2. The phrase And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee means: 'He was walking near His home'.
3. The phrase saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother means: 'These were the first two called'.
4. The phrase casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers means: 'They were busy working'. God does not call lazy people.
C4-S13 : Call to discipleship.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the report of the call.
2. The phrase And he saith unto them means: 'Jesus made the call and the promise'.
3. The phrase Follow me means: 'This is the call'.
4. The phrase and I will make you fishers of men means: 'This is the attached promise'.
C4-S14 : Proper response to the call. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds their reaction. Our sentence says: And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. means: ''.
C4-S15 : Second call to discipleship.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds to call of two more disciples.
2. The phrase And going on from thence means: 'Jesus walked further along the shore'.
3. The phrase he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother means: 'This identified the next two whom Jesus called'.
4. The phrase in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets means: 'They were also working and since they were with their father, they were not rebellious'.
5. The phrase and he called them means: 'They were also called to full time discipleship'.
C4-S16 : Second proper response. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence says: And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him means: 'While it is not reported, we can assume that all four were familiar with Jesus and His doctrine. Otherwise, they would not have reacted this way'.
C4-S17 : Start of the teaching of disciples.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds a summary of the ministry to the report of calling disciples.
2. The phrase And Jesus went about all Galilee means: 'This is where he ministered at this time'.
3. The phrase teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom means: 'This was the main part of the ministry'.
4. The phrase and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people means: 'These miracles were to show that His message came from God the Father'.
C4-S18 : People responded positively to the blessings from God.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. This sentence adds the results of His ministry.
2. The phrase And his fame went throughout all Syria means: 'The people in the near by country heard about Jesus'.
3. The phrase and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and orments means: 'They brought people with physical ailments for Him to cure'.
4. The phrase and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick means: 'They brought people with spiritual and mental ailments for Him to cure'.
5. The phrase and those that had the palsy; and he healed them means: 'They brought Him the helpless to cure'.
C4-S19 : People came from all areas around to receive blessings. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the reaction by other people. Our sentence says: And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan. means: 'They followed to see the miracles and to hear the doctrine'.

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Chapter 5 Summary : the start of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes': basic concepts for the kingdom of God, Chapters 5-7:

The church is spiritually alive. All forms of life have a conception, which is the start of life, and a birth, which is when that life is brought into the world to interact with other forms of life. As pointed out in the Doctrinal Study called The Gospel Time Sequences, these events give us the spiritual conception of the church while Pentecost, after the resurrection, was the spiritual birth of the church. Jesus started preaching the gospel of the kingdom and offering the kingdom to the Jews. However, they rejected Him as their King. Therefore, He removed the offer and started the church instead. This chapter is the start of the start of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes'. This sermon is the basic concepts for the kingdom of God. This kingdom is what has been offered to the church after the Jews rejected Jesus as their King.

The naming of the twelve give us the structure and authority for the early church and for when Jesus returns to bring His kingdom to this world. The 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes' give us His rules for people to follow when they become part of His church. These rules will also be the law when Jesus returns to bring His kingdom to this world. In addition, we read about Jesus healing many people and casting out many devils several other times and places. Jesus did this to show what was offered to people who accepted Him as their King. As we know from all of the Gospel accounts, the Jews refused to do this and they lost all of these blessings.

As also can be seen in the Doctrinal Study called The Gospel Time Sequences, Matthew is not presenting his Gospel account in a strict time sequence. As also explained there, we can get an idea of the time sequences before Jesus went to Jerusalem to be crucified, but we do not have enough information to be positive of the time sequence within the early ministry.

In Matthew's Gospel account, he is showing that Jesus fulfilled the law and proved that he is God's Christ. In his first two chapters, Matthew presents seven (7) legal evidences that Jesus was God's Christ. Matthew included several prophecies which Jesus, and John the Baptist, fulfilled as part of this proof. Then, in Chapter 3, Matthew presents the ministry of John the Baptist, as the forerunner of Jesus and a proper King has a forerunner. Then, in Chapter 4, Matthew presents Jesus selecting His first four (4) disciples, who would become apostles and the primary ministers of His kingdom. Now, in this chapter and the next two chapters, Jesus is giving the basic laws of His kingdom. These are laws which the saved are supposed to obey today and these are the laws which will be strictly enforced during His 1,000-years reign.

Thus, what we see here is Matthew presenting His gospel account in the order which first presents Jesus as God's Christ and King. The order in which Matthew presents incidents is not in the time sequence but is in the order which presents the kingdom with the most important facts first and then moving to the less important parts with their relative importance considered from the perspective of a kingdom.

As has been famously preached, this sermon presents 'the attitudes that we are to be'. That is, the ongoing existence of the saved is to present these attitudes to the world as the basic principles of their life. A shorter version of this message is found in Luke 6. While there are many illustrations in this sermon, which help us to understand the application of the truths in the sermon, the sermon also uses much symbolic language to express spiritual truths. Jesus does this for the same reason why He taught in parables. This was so that lost and carnal people, who use their natural reasoning, would be led into error while those saved people, who seek help from God's Holy Spirit, would receive the true understanding. And, of course, God blesses those people who act right while God curses those people who act wrong.

The first eleven (11) verses start out with Blessed are they. Jesus is starting out by telling us how to be blessed in His kingdom. He is telling people 'Here is why you want to be part of His kingdom'. Please notice that the first thing that Jesus preaches is the correct heart attitudes to have. God judges our heart and having the right heart is the basis of getting blessings from God. In addition, please notice that the people which Jesus says would be blessed are in conditions which would not make them 'happy'. There is a wrong doctrine which claims that blessed means 'happy'. However that does not match what we find in this chapter. Therefore, that doctrine is wrong. Please see the Section called Promises, in the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to other promises found in the Gospels.

Following the commands on having the right attitudes in order to be blessed, Jesus uses symbolic language to tell us how we are to be God's spiritual witnesses in this world. After that, Jesus tells us that we must obey His never changing laws if we wish to be blessed. This obeying the laws is only possible if we have the right attitudes, which Jesus started this sermon with. In addition, and as part of the legal considerations, Jesus tells us how we will be judged by God if we fail to treat other people in His kingdom the right way. Within this section of the sermon, we read that Jesus said, several times, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time...But I say unto you. in this part of the sermon, Jesus is correcting the religious traditions which actually violate the Mosaic Law and the 'Ten Commandments'. Please see the Section called Jesus and the Ten Commandments, in the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to other places, in the Bible, where the 'Ten Commandments' are dealt with.

Although not normally done on this site, this summary will continue through Chapters 6 and 7 since they are part of the same sermon. Only after summarizing the entire sermon will we continue with the summary of the sentences which are found within each of the chapters.

Where Chapter 5 ended with instructions on how to do God's laws in the right way, Chapter 6 gives us instructions on how to deal directly with God in all that we do. If we truly belong to God's kingdom, then our entire life should be about serving God. And, if we are going to serve God then we need to serve God in the right way. In particular, since God judges the heart, we need to keep our attitude right with God while we deal with different circumstances of life. This chapter is dealing with those heart attitudes in different circumstances of life.

Chapter 6 starts with our worship to God (when thou doest thine alms and when thou prayest). As part of these instructions, we have 'The Model Prayer', which doctrinal error calls 'The Lord's Prayer'. (The true 'The Lord's Prayer' is in John 17). After that, Jesus continues with how we are to serve God while in this physical reality. in this section, Jesus explains that our entire service and dependence for our needs must be concentrated on God and not on anything of this world. He concludes with: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. this is followed by the commandment to not worry about what happens in the future because we are to truly trust God to control the future.

Following Chapter 6 is Chapter 7, which completes this sermon. In Chapter 7, Jesus tells us how to live and act in order to prove that we are truly children of God, and part of His Kingdom, and are not like the religious hypocrites who claim to be God's children but are truly relying on their obeying religious rules instead of having an ongoing personal relationship with God. This is where we read that Jesus says: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. thus, while there are many other truths in this chapter, one of the main truths is the requirement that we are depending on a personal relationship with Jesus for our true salvation.

With that main truth acknowledged, we see that Chapter 7 starts with the command: Judge not, that ye be not judged. And, as also happens with significant Bible doctrines, devils have their true ministers peaching a perversion of this command in order to deceive as many people as they can. (Please see the note for this sentence about the doctrinal truth.) Jesus continues, in this chapter, with instructions on how we are to deal with our fellow man while displaying the attitudes that the sermon started with. The summary of that section is: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. From there, Jesus warns us to be careful about the doctrine that we follow. We are to be sure that the doctrine causes us to bring forth good fruit. This is when Jesus warns that Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. this is followed by 'The Parable of the House on Rock and on Sand', with Jesus teaching that the truly wise saved people will heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them. Obviously, the people who refuse to heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, are risking having Jesus tell them that they were not truly saved even while they thought that they were.

Our entire sermon is followed by: And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: forhe taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. That is: Jesus did not rely upon religious traditions for His doctrine but taught the true spiritual meaning of the word of God.

The summary paragraphs of this chapter are presented above as part of the summary on 'The Sermon on the Mount'.

Now, in consideration of the details within Chapter 5, we see that Matthew 5:12, we read that we are to rejoice over the promise of eternal rewards even while suffering in the flesh.

Next, in Matthew 5:13-20, we read the basic commandments which are to describe the life of the truly saved. Obeying these commandments will, of course, give us a testimony that is different from people living to enjoy this world. And, we are to have this different testimony to prove that we want to be part of God's kingdom.

Next, in Matthew 5:21-45, we read Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time and this is followed by Jesus saying how the people of His kingdom are to act different.

The last few sentences in our chapter tell us why the people of God's kingdom are to be different from the religious people of the world. Thus, this chapter is giving us the commandments about the basic attitudes God's people are to have. The next two chapters give us how to apply these attitudes in different circumstances of life.

In Matthew 5:15-16 gives us the 'Parable of the Lighted Candle'. (It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.) Mark 4:21-23; Luke 8:16-18 and Luke 11:33-36 also teach the doctrine of the 'Parable of the Lighted Candle'. In addition, those additional references provide further warnings beyond what we read here.

Next, in Matthew 5:21-45, we read Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time and this is followed by Jesus saying how the people of His kingdom are to act different. What we see in all of the Gospel accounts is that the main argument between Jesus, and the religious leaders, is that Jesus insisted that we must obey God and what God's word truly says. The religious leaders insisted that people needed to obey religious traditions and what the religious leaders said. Thus, we see that the basic argument was over who is the true final authority in each person's life with Jesus saying that only people who truly accept God as the final authority in their personal life will be truly Biblically saved. In addition, if that is true in someone's life then God will change them from their natural sinful lifestyle to a lifestyle which shows the changes which God causes. Jesus also said that religious traditions made the commandment of God of none effect ('can not cause a change' - Matthew 15:6; Mark 7:13; Romans 4:14; Romans 9:6; 1Corinthians 1:17; Galatians 3:17).

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-2. Christ's sermon on the mount.
3-12. Who are blessed;
13. the salt of the earth;
14-16. the light of the world.
17-20. He came to fulfil the law.
21-26. What it is to kill;
27-32. to commit adultery;
33-37. to swear.
38-42. He exhorts to suffer wrong,
43-47. to love our enemies;
48. and to labour after perfection. '.

C5-S1 : Blessing for being believing like a child.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. It is adding the sermon of three chapters to the report of multitudes following Jesus.
2. The phrase And seeing the multitudes means: 'This is what motivated Jesus to give this sermon'.
3. The phrase he went up into a mountain: and when he was set means: 'He took the position of a teacher which was accepted in that day and culture'. This entire sermon is teaching by Jesus.
4. The phrase his disciples came unto him means: 'Those closest to Jesus were also closest during His teaching'.
5. The phrase And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying means: 'What follows is what He taught'.
6. The phrase Blessed are the poor in spirit means: 'These are the truly humble people'.
7. The phrase for theirs is the kingdom of heaven means: 'Here's why. Mark 10:15 says: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. We see the same doctrine in Matthew 18:1-5 and Luke 18:17 '.
C5-S2 : Blessing for people who morn for the lost.
1. The phrase Blessed are they that mourn means: 'This applies only to those who morn because of sin in the world and who try to get people to stop their sinning like God wants them to do'.
2. The phrase for they shall be comforted means: 'Comfort comes when people actually change their life to stop their sin. God comforts those who worked to cause the change'.
C5-S3 : Blessing for people who submit to God.
1. The phrase Blessed are the meek means: 'These people will receive the blessings of this sentence'. The word meek means: 'Power under God's control'.
2. The phrase for they shall inherit the earth means: 'This attitude is required in the saved in order for them to return with Christ to rule this world'. We find the exact phrase of inherit the earth in: Psalms 25:13; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:11; Psalms 37:22; Matthew 5:5.
C5-S4 : Blessing for those who seek God's character.
1. The phrase Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness means: 'When we hunger and thirst our desire becomes a dire need. The word righteousness means: 'doing the right thing the right way, at the right time, and for the right reason'. Many people make the mistake of thinking God is 'fair' and then get upset, and even reject the truth, when they learn that God is not 'fair' but God is righteous'. Thus, these people do hunger and thirst after the true nature of God.
2. The phrase for they shall be filled means: 'God promises to fill them with righteousness'. These people will receive God's nature as their own nature.
C5-S5 : Blessing for the merciful.
1. The phrase Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy means: 'We must treat others the way that we want God to treat us'. Matthew 7:1-2 is a follow-up with more details when it says: Judge not, that ye be not judged. forwith what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Thus, we see more than one place and more than one way that God gives us this doctrine.
C5-S6 : Blessing for people whose heart seeks God.
1. The phrase Blessed are the pure in heart means: 'These people have their heart turned towards God 100%'. The word pure means: '100%'.
2. The phrase for they shall see God means: 'Such people see God working where others see coincidence'.
C5-S7 : Blessing for the peacemakers.
1. The phrase Blessed are the peacemakers means: 'God offers us peace with God and peace of God. True peacemakers try to give the same to others'.
2. The phrase for they shall be called the children of God means: 'The true children of God receive God's nature and display it in this world'.
C5-S8 : Blessing for people who receive God's character.
1. The phrase Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake means: 'We must have this cause for our persecution if we truly want to receive this promise'. The word righteousness was defined earlier in this chapter.
2. The phrase for theirs is the kingdom of heaven means: 'This is a guarantee of salvation'.
C5-S9 : Blessed are those people who personally suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.
1. The phrase Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you means: 'This is the first way that people will treat the true children of God for the sake of Jesus'. The word revile means: 'To reproach; to treat with opprobrious and contemptuous language'.
2. The phrase and persecute you means: 'This is the first way that people will treat the true children of God for the sake of Jesus'. The word persecute means: 'the infliction of pain, punishment or death upon others unjustly, particularly for adhering to a religious creed or mode of worship, either by way of penalty or for compelling them to renounce their principles'.
3. The phrase and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely means: 'This is the first way that people will treat the true children of God for the sake of Jesus'. Evil things said falsely are deliberate lies meant to hurt and cause long-lasting harm. The word evil means: 'Both the source and consequence of things which people consider to be really really bad. the source and / or result can be natural or spiritual or any combination thereof. However, even what seems to be a natural source can actually be caused by a devil, especially when the recipient is a child of God. In all cases the result is deliberately intended and caused, which is what separates evil from the accidental'.
4. The phrase for my sake means: 'This must be the reason for our mistreatment if we want the promised blessings, which are specified in the next sentence'.
C5-S10 : the promise of reward for those people who personally suffer for the name of Jesus Christ. The lost and carnal will have difficulty understanding the true meaning of this sentence.
1. The phrase Rejoice, and be exceeding glad means: 'This is how we are commanded to respond'.
2. The phrase for great is your reward in heaven means: 'Here's why. This phrase specifies when and where we will receive our reward. Yes, God blesses His true servants here, but the true reward is in Heaven'.
3. The phrase for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you means: 'The prophets are our example of men who suffered here and were even martyred (Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:33-34) and accepted it because God promised them everlasting rewards is in Heaven. And, the fact that they heard directly from God in order to deliver God's message is proof that they heard and believed the promise of everlasting rewards is in Heaven'.
C5-S11 : the 'Parable of Salt Savor'. This parable includes the next sentence. (Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for links to other parables in the New Testament.)
1. The phrase Ye are the salt of the earth means: 'Salt preserves living things from corruption. It also makes food taste better. And, it is necessary to maintain life. These are the spiritual effects which the truly saved are to have in this world'.
2. The phrase but if the salt have lost his savour means: 'The prior phrase told us the spiritual effects which we are supposed to have while this phrase describes people who claim to be saved but do not produce those spiritual effects'. That is why this phrase starts with the word but. And, since the word but follows a colon in our sentence, what follows the word but is the polar opposite of what precedes the word but.
3. The phrase wherewith shall it be salted? means: 'If people who claim to be saved do not produce the spiritual effects which they are supposed to produce, then how will God cause them to mature spiritually? Some things are only learned through experience. True spiritual maturity is only achieved through obeying the spiritual commands which we know, including the requirement to be a true witness of the changes caused by God'.
C5-S12 : the uselessness of a life that God can't use.
1. The word thenceforth means: 'from that point in time forward'. This is that person who claims to be 'backslidden' but still expects God to bless them because they made a profession of faith. The truth is that the children of disobedience receive the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 3:6) and, no, the lost are not God's children. Only fools believe the lie that this warning does not apply to the saved.
2. The phrase it is thenceforth good for nothing means: 'God has no use for someone who claims to be saved but 'backslidden''.
3. The phrase but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men means: 'The only thing that God can use such people for is to display His wrath and provide a warning to others to not be like them'.
C5-S13 : God's purpose in saving us. Our sentence says: Ye are the light of the world. It means: 'Each and every one of you personally are to reveal spiritual truth and understanding to the world, and especially to the lost and carnal of the world'. (Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for links to other parables in the New Testament.) We also see Jesus say that He is the light of the world in Romans 13:12; John 8:12 and John 9:5. Thus, we are to bring spiritual knowledge and understanding to the world just like He did.
C5-S14 : the source of light can not hide. Our sentence says: A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid means: 'The true children of God can not hide their Godly nature. They can not avoid being a true witness for God and giving our true spiritual knowledge and understanding'.
C5-S15 : the 'Parable of the Lighted Candle'. (Please see the Table of Parables in the New Testament for links to other parables in the New Testament.)
1. The phrase Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel means: 'Men do not light a candle only to hide its light'. The word neither means: 'not either'. Men no more do this sentence than men can hide a city on a hill. The phrase light a candle means: 'do what is necessary to create light'. Symbolically, this phrase tells us: 'God gave His people spiritual knowledge and understanding'. (Please see the note for the prior two sentences which this sentence is in context with.) the phrase and put it under a bushel means: 'deliberately hide the light'. Symbolically, this phrase tells us: 'God does not give people special knowledge and understanding so that they can hide it from everyone else and be filled with pride while they claim that they are better than others because of their special hidden knowledge'.
2. The phrase but on a candlestick means: 'a lighted candle is lifted up where all can see it'. Symbolically, this phrase tells us: 'When God gives spiritual knowledge and understanding to someone, God lets others see them so that they can pass on the knowledge and understanding'.
3. The phrase and it giveth light unto all that are in the house means: 'Properly lifted up, and without something blocking the light, the effect reaches everywhere'. Symbolically, this phrase tells us: 'Anyone with knowledge and understanding from God is to share it with everyone who will listen'.
C5-S16 : Why God makes us the light of the world.
1. The phrase Let your light so shine before men means: 'We are to let others see our spiritual knowledge and understanding in the way specified By this sentence'.
2. The phrase that they may see your good works means: 'Our spiritual knowledge and understanding is to cause us to produce Godly works'. There is a foolish belief, which comes from devils, and which claims that there is a conflict between grace and works. However, until we receive God's grace ('spiritual knowledge and understanding') we can not produce Godly works. And, as our sentence tells us, if we truly receive grace ('spiritual knowledge and understanding') from God, then it will cause us to produce Godly works. True Godly works are the result of true grace from God and there is no true conflict.
3. The phrase and glorify your Father which is in heaven means: 'When we do what this sentence commands us to do them men will glorify your Father which is in heaven'.
C5-S17 : One of the reasons why Jesus Christ came.
1. The phrase Think not that I am come to destroy the law means: 'The religious leaders claimed this because Jesus rejected their additions to God's law and they claimed that when He did so, He was destroying God's law and not just their additions'.
2. The phrase or the prophets means: 'The religious leaders lumped the law and prophets together while God separated them'.
3. The phrase I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill means: 'Jesus did the opposite of what was claimed by the religious leaders. And, when He fulfilled the prophecies, He had the right to replace them with the New Testament. In addition, God gave us the New Testament as a better deal than keeping the religious part of the Mosaic Law. (Only the religious part of the Mosaic Law was replaced, not everything from Genesis through Malachi)'.
C5-S18 : Reliability of God's word.
1. The phrase For verily I say unto you means: 'Here's why the prior sentence is true. Jesus uses the word verily to let us know that He personally has verified the truth of what he says here'.
2. The phrase Till heaven and earth pass means: 'Not before Revelation 21 in time'.
3. The phrase one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law means: 'The smallest part of the Law will not go away. The smallest part of the written law is the punctuation and, in the word of God, each type of punctuation has a unique purpose. No punctuation mark can be ignored nor replaced wit a different punctuation mark'. Please see the Hermeneutics Study called Technical Rules for Understanding the Bible for those details.
4. The phrase till all be fulfilled means: 'Until every prophecy and every promise from God has been fulfilled'. Please see the Sections called Prophecies and Promises, in the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to those things within the Gospel accounts. In addition, there are matching Sections in the Study called Significant New Testament Events.
C5-S19 : Judgment results of obedience and disobedience.
1. The phrase Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven means: 'This is the judgment of a saved person, in Heaven, based upon how they treat the word of God'.
2. The phrase but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven means: 'This is another judgment of a saved person, in Heaven, based upon how they treat the word of God differently from the person in the prior phrases'. This sentence disproves the lie from devils that 'everyone in Heaven will get the same rewards regardless of how they act in this life'.
C5-S20 : Requirement of righteousness for true salvation.
1. The phrase For I say unto you means: 'Jesus is telling us this personally and this sentence tells us why the prior sentence is true. God does not change (Malachi 3:6 and Hebrews 13:8). Therefore, a God who will judge people and send some to Heaven while sending some to Hell will also judge those who go to heaven and reward some while punishing others, as Jesus said in the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees means: 'The righteousness of the truly saved must exceed the righteousness of obeying religious rules'. The word righteousness means: 'doing the right thing the right way, at the right time, and for the right reason'.
3. The phrase ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven means: 'You will go to Hell unless you meet this standard set by Jesus'.
C5-S21 : the true spirit of the law.
1. The phrase Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time means: 'This claim comes from religious traditions'.
2. The phrase Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment means: 'Religion tries to reduce this one of the 'Ten Commandments' to include only deliberate murder. That is why they say that someone is in danger of the judgment but it is not guaranteed'. Please see the Section called Jesus and the Ten Commandments in the Significant Gospel Events Study for links to where the word of God talks about these commandments.
3. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Here Jesus is correcting what traditional religion claims'.
4. The phrase That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment means: 'God judges the heart and not just the actions'.
5. The phrase and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca means: 'He calls his brother a vain, trifling, brainless; otherwise, beggarly, and otherwise worthless fool'.
6. The phrase shall be in danger of the council means: 'Today this type of judgment is supposed to be done by the church'. However, I don't know of any church which does this and pastors have told me that they would not allow such obedience to Jesus in their church.
7. The phrase but whosoever shall say, thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire means: 'This is describing a judgment of someone who obeys the personal commandment of God in opposition to a religious rule from traditions. (Our first phrase of this sentence related it to religious traditions)'.
C5-S22 : God's requirement for true worship.
1. The word Therefore means: 'This sentence is a direct result from the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar means: 'If you plan on worshipping God'.
3. The phrase and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee means: 'If your brother has a valid reason for being upset with you. This would not include something like you telling him God's truth and him being upset because God's truth corrects his religious tradition. In that case, he may blame you but God judges him as truly rejecting the rule of God in his life'.
4. The phrase Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way means: 'God does not listen to prayers nor accept worship while you have ongoing sin in your life'.
5. The phrase first be reconciled to thy brother means: 'Get things right first. Get rid of the sin first'.
6. The phrase and then come and offer thy gift means: 'God will accept worship and prayers only after that'.
C5-S23 : Do all possible to make peace.
1. The phrase Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him means: 'Come to an agreement while the two of you are still speaking to each other and willing to work out the differences'.
2. The phrase lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison means: 'We are not always right and an outside judge mat give us punishment for being wrong'. Many people will overlook the warning in this sentence. However, i have seen God permanently remove four pastors from the pastorate and literally physically kill four people when they refused the let the word of God to correct their doctrine. Remember, it is not men who are our judge but God is the judge of all of His children.
C5-S24 : the consequence of refusing peace.
1. The phrase Verily I say unto thee means: 'Jesus is giving this warning'.
2. The phrase Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing means: 'If God has to bring a judgment then there will not be a lessening of the punishment'. Get right before God has to give the judgment.
C5-S25 : Spiritual sins are done in the heart.
1. The phrase Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time means: 'This claim comes from religious traditions'.
2. The phrase Thou shalt not commit adultery means: 'This is a spiritual sin which religion always teaches is a physical sexual sin. Jesus does not get into that at this time. But, like the rest of this message, He is emphasizing sins of the heart. And, adultery is done in the heart'.
3. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Here Jesus is correcting what traditional religion claims'.
4. The phrase That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart means: 'Here Jesus clearly tells us that this is a sin of the heart'.
C5-S26 : the extent to go to be right with God.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds an illustration from Jesus which tells us how far to go in order to avoid sins of the heart.
2. The phrase And if thy right eye offend thee means: 'This is the conditional phrase of the illustration'.
3. The phrase pluck it out, and cast it from thee means: 'If you can not control your eyes then do this'.
4. The phrase for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell means: 'You are better off physically crippled than going to Hell'.
C5-S27 : Another example of being right with God.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds another illustration from Jesus which tells us how far to go in order to avoid sins of the heart.
2. The phrase And if thy right hand offend thee means: 'This is the conditional phrase of the illustration'.
3. The phrase cut if off, and cast it from thee means: 'If you can not control your eyes then do this'.
4. The phrase for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell means: 'You are better off physically crippled than going to Hell'.
C5-S28 : God's opinion of ending marriage.
1. The phrase It hath been said means: 'This claim comes from religious traditions'.
2. The phrase Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement means: 'This is the claim'.
3. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Here Jesus is correcting what traditional religion claims'.
4. The phrase That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery means: 'The sin is on the person causing the divorce. The only exception is fornication. However, a lot of 'good, godly, fundamental, Bible believing, KJV only Baptists' effectively call Jesus a liar by denying this exception and the one in 1Corinthians 7:15 '.
5. The phrase and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery means: 'Notice that while Jesus allowed divorce, he did not allow remarriage if the cause was fornication. In that case, the answer is live celibate or return to the divorced mate'.
C5-S29 : Keep all promises even without swearing . James 5:12 repeats this with different words.
1. The phrase Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time means: 'This claim comes from religious traditions'.
2. The phrase Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths means: 'This means don't make an oath and then not keep it'. People do this all the time when they declare bankruptcy.
3. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'This is a commandment fro, Jesus'.
4. The phrase Swear not at all means: 'This is what we are to do. It used to be c cultural imperative that 'Your word is your bond'. That is, you starve before breaking your word. And, If this is true for you, which it should be for all truly saved, then there is no need to swear. Your giving your promise should be sufficient'.
5. The phrase neither by heaven; for it is God's throne means: 'It is a dangerous thing to swear by Heaven since you are truly committing God to send His angels to punish, and possibly kill, you if you don't keep your word'.
6. The phrase Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool means: 'You do not own the Earth so you can not give up ownership of it if you break your word'.
7. The phrase neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King means: 'You do not own the city so you can not give up ownership of it if you break your word'.
C5-S30 : Don't make promises that you can't keep.
1. The phrase Neither shalt thou swear by thy head means: 'Don't swear on your life because the other person has a legal right to ask God to take it'.
2. The phrase because thou canst not make one hair white or black means: 'Saved people do not own themselves (1Corinthians 6:20 and 1Corinthians 7:23)'.
C5-S31 : Make your word reliable by itself.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Our sentence is continuing the subject of confirming the reliability of your word while telling you a different what to do it. Our sentence says the same message as some of the references given for prior sentences.
2. The phrase But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay means: 'Make sure that your word and your lifestyle are reliable and faithful'. The word yea means: 'This is a stronger form of the word yes'. The word nay means: 'This is a stronger form of the word no'.
3. The phrase for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil means: 'If your word and lifestyle are not reliable and faithful then you will end up doing evil because of unforeseen circumstances'.
C5-S32 : How to properly react to hurt.
1. The phrase Ye have heard that it hath been said means: 'This claim comes from religious traditions'.
2. The phrase An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth means: 'This was part of the Civil part of the Mosaic law. It was how a judge was to determine the punishment of a person found guilty of a crime. It was never given, by God, to be used on a personal basis. However, the religious leaders added a tradition of using it on a personal basis'.
3. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Here Jesus is correcting what traditional religion claims'.
4. The phrase That ye resist not evil means: 'Vengeance begets more vengeance. Violence begets more violence'.
5. The phrase but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek means: 'If someone does something against you personally'.
6. The phrase turn to him the other also means: 'Let them do more and they will get tired of it and stop, so long as you keep the right attitude'.
C5-S33 : Pay extra when you have done wrong.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding instructions on how to properly act in another set of circumstances.
2. The phrase And if any man will sue thee at the law means: 'This person did not do as instructed back in Matthew 5:25 '. Now, they have to deal with the consequences of not acting right earlier.
3. The phrase and take away thy coat means: 'This person not only failed to do right earlier but they are also judged wrong in their earlier actions'.
4. The phrase let him have thy cloke also means: 'Now they need to act right in order to avoid further judgment'. Once a person has gone to court and proved that another did them wrong, they are encouraged to seek further judgments for other wrong actions by their opponent. And, once the court has rendered a judgment of someone doing wrong, it becomes easier to believe that they did more than one wrong. However, by doing as Jesus commands in this phrase, the person in the wrong will often change the attitude of the other person and avoid further law suits. In addition, if there are other law suits, this type of action will offset any sympathy in the court for the other person. That is, further action by the other person will be viewed as vindictive and not as further righteousness.
C5-S34 : Do more than is rightly demanded of you.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding instructions on how to properly act in another set of circumstances.
2. The phrase And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile means: 'Reportedly, a Roman soldier could compel any Jew to carry his pack for a mile because the Jews were a conquered people'. God allowed the Jewish nation to be conquered because they failed their God given task to take the Gospel to all nations. Instead of obeying, the Jews were filled with pride because they had the revelation of God and Gentiles did not because the Jews deliberately hid what they were commanded to reveal. So, now they suffer the judgment of God and Jesus is telling them what to do on an individual basis.
3. The phrase go with him twain means: 'As a conquered nation, most Jews resented the Roman law which allowed the prior phrase. The Jew who obeys this command proves that they have a different attitude. By going the extra mile, they, individually, will probably lessen the hurtful attitudes of the conquering soldiers and might also get the soldier to listen so that they can present the Gospel'. It is not about how others treat you but is about how you personally serve God. And, if you serve God with a right attitude, God will protect you and yours.
C5-S35 : Be a source of help.
1. The phrase Give to him that asketh thee means: 'They lived in a society of beggars and many people resented the beggars. However, this phrase uses the word thee, which means you personally. Thus, this does not include the beggar on the street with a sign but is speaking about someone who is asking you as a personal matter'. Jesus says to give, in such a case, because then you can influence the receiver and, hopefully, turn them towards a more productive life where they will beg from you less
2. The phrase and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away means: 'Again, this is speaking about lending your God given excess'. Yes, some people will take advantage of you. But, it is my experience that God makes up the difference if you keep this attitude and God causes the user to suffer loss another way. So, it is all about your faith in God and you representing God on an individual basis and trusting God to provide for your needs as you act as His servant.
C5-S36 : Wrong religious doctrine.
1. The phrase Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time means: 'This claim comes from religious traditions'.
2. The phrase Thou shalt love thy neighbour means: 'This much is from God'. Ten Please see the Section called Jesus and the Ten Commandments in the Significant Gospel Events Study for links to where the word of God talks about these commandments and the greatest commandments.
3. The phrase and hate thine enemy means: 'This was added by the religious leaders and goes against the character of God'. This commandment matches the character of a devil. We are not to study the word of God so that we can argue doctrine but so that we can learn the character of God and become like Him.
C5-S37 : Right religious doctrine.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Where our prior sentence told us to hate our enemies, this sentence is continuing the subject of dealing with enemies while changing the action to be love.
2. The phrase But I say unto you means: 'Here Jesus is correcting what traditional religion claims'.
3. The phrase Love your enemies means: 'This is the commandment that most people find difficult if not impossible. It is only possible to do this if we learn the character of God and God's purpose for this life. This entire life is a test of our character with rewards and / or punishment for evermore depending on how well we pass God's test. Therefore, this command is about how to get the best everlasting results for ourselves'.
4. The phrase bless them that curse you means: 'This is what God does and we are commanded to be like God'. Some things are only learned through experience. The only way that we can learn how to deal with unjust hatred, in a Godly way, is to experience it and to seek God's help to respond like true children of God.
5. The phrase do good to them that hate you means: 'This always messes such people up'. Such people expect you to respond in matching, or greater, hatred. When you do good in response to their hatred, they are not sure how to react next. Paul explains this in more detail in Romans 12:19-21.
6. The phrase and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you means: 'Pray for God to save them and convert them'. The best way to deal with an enemy is to have God turn them into a friend. And, if they refuse to respond properly to God, then God will deal with them.
7. The phrase That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven means: 'Here is God's desired result of all of the commandments in this sentence and in this chapter. By responding in the way we are commanded to the circumstances identified and understanding the reasons for the commands, we learn to have the character of God and to become true children of God'.
8. The phrase for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust means: 'Here's why. This is our example of how God responds. When people are judged by God they will not be able to claim that they never had a chance to do good due to God's constant punishment. God does not constantly punish anyone and God gives everyone multiple chances to be thankful and to respond right to God. And, as true children of God, we are to be like God' We are to make sure that no one can claim 'I would be a Christian except for the way that Christians act', and have that claim based upon our actions.
C5-S39 : Let others see that you are different. Our sentence says: do not even the public and the same? the publicans were considered by Jews to be: 'the worst type of sinner'. Therefore, our sentence means: 'If you act the same as the people whom you condemn as the worst type of sinner, what basis do you have for claiming blessings from God?'.
C5-S40 : Make true salvation obvious.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds another example of how people acted like those whom they condemned and then expected God to bless them for being a hypocrite.
2. The phrase And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? means: 'If your respectful greetings are only given to the people who are like you, how do you claim to be better than others?'.
C5-S41 : Don't act like obvious sinners. our sentence says: means: 'do not even the public and so?'. It means: 'If you act the same as the people whom you condemn as the worst type of sinner, what basis do you have for claiming blessings from God?'. Thus, we see two examples of people who pride fully looked down on others for acting exactly like they acted.
C5-S42 : Take God's character as your own. Our sentence says: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. The word perfect, in the Bible, means: 'fully spiritually mature'. Therefore, our sentence tells us: 'Be fully spiritually mature like God the Father is. That is, let your character be changed to be like God the Father's character'

Home

Chapter 6 Summary : the middle of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes': basic actions for the kingdom of God.

The summary on 'The Sermon on the Mount' was given earlier. Those paragraphs should be reviewed in order to get an overview of the entire sermon including the flow of subjects, within the sermon, as presented by Jesus.

This chapter is continuing what was presented in the prior chapter while being more specific than the general principals which were in the prior chapter. In the prior chapter, Jesus presented abstract spiritual truths which are always true and apply to everyone. He started with how to be blessed by God. Then He went into symbolic descriptions of the spiritual life of truly saved. We see this with His saying: ye are ('each and every one of you personally are'). Then, He used symbolic language to tell the true children of God what to be and what to do in a general spiritual sense. This is where He said: except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven And He followed that up with several examples where he said: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time...But I say unto you. In those sentences, Jesus is telling us that our attitudes and actions must be vastly different from what religious traditions tell us to be and to do. With those general precepts in mind, Jesus ends the chapter by telling us that it is foolish for us to act like the lost and carnal while expecting God to reward us differently than God rewards them.

With the summary of the prior chapter in mind, we can summarize how Jesus continues along the same line of thinking, in this chapter, while becoming more specific. He starts out by warning us to not do things so that men will think that we are spiritual because God will judge that we have received our reward and refuse to give us everlasting rewards in Heaven for those same things. As part of those instructions, Jesus tells us how to pray differently from the religious hypocrites. This is where he gives the model prayer which religious people wrongly call 'The Lord's Prayer'.

After prayer, he turns to forgiving others and fasting. Our attitudes in life must match our prayer life if we want God to truly bless us. After dealing with those attitudes, Jesus turns to more practical matters dealing with treasure. This is where we read; For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. People claim: 'I love Jesus' but the truth is proven by where they put their time, effort and treasure.

After that truth, Jesus deals with the evidences of what truly controls our thinking. This is where Jesus summarizes these statements with: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you and adds the evidence of our truly doing that or of our deceiving ourselves into thinking that we do so while we are truly seeking security in this world.

Thus, where the prior chapter told us general abstract spiritual truths, this chapter applies those truths to our personal life even if these applications are still presented as abstract truths which use symbolic language. Remember that I have already written that Jesus uses symbolic language like he used parables. Parables not only use an Earthly story to teach a spiritual truth. But, Jesus also used them to lead the lost and carnal into doctrinal error while letting God lead the spiritual into truth. And, Jesus does the same with symbolic language such as He gives in this sermon. The lack of understanding is why many preachers avoid preaching, very much, from this sermon and is also why many people teach error based upon what is found in this sermon.

With that written, we can now look at the details of this chapter.

6:1-6 : Don't do religious works to be seen of men but hide them. People who do their religious works to be seen have their reward and do not receive rewards in Heaven.
6:7-13 : How to pray in a Godly manner.
6:14-21 : How to get blessings from God. Please also see the Doctrinal Study called: godly Financial Principals, related to these verses.
6:22-24 : Have a Godly way of thinking about all of life.
6:25-30 : Illustrations of the lesson to trust God for physical needs.
6:31-34 : the conclusion is to trust God for all of your physical needs.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-32. Christ continues his sermon on the mount, exhorting not to be careful for worldly things,
33-34. but to seek God's kingdom. '.

C6-S1 : Do not seek fame with men.
1. The phrase Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them means: 'This is the warning about our attitude. The person whom you make sure knows what you are doing is the person whom you are really working for. God only rewards those people who truly work for God'.
2. The phrase otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven means: 'If you ignore the warning in the prior phrase then you lose your everlasting rewards'.
C6-S2 : Do not act like the hypocrites.
1. The phrase Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee means: 'Don't let everyone know all of the good deeds that you do'. However, when teaching spiritually younger people, if you are teaching about God's rewards, you can tell of the obedient act which was rewarded so long as the true emphasis is on God's reward and not on your act.
2. The phrase as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets means: 'Some people are like politici and and want everyone to know what a wonderful person they are'.
3. The phrase that they may have glory of men means: 'Here's the result that they truly look for'.
C6-S3 : If we get reward here, we will not receive everlasting rewards.
1. The word Verily means: 'Jesus has verified the truth of this statement and we should also verify it'.
2. The phrase I say unto you means: 'This is what Jesus verified and tells to us'.
3. The phrase They have their reward means: 'There will be no additional reward in eternity'.
C6-S4 : Hide your acts for God.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Where the prior sentence warned us of no everlasting reward, this sentence tells us how to receive everlasting rewards. . .
2. The phrase But when thou doest alms means: 'When you do charitable acts'.
3. The phrase let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth means: 'Be so secret about it that it is like your one hand does not know what your other hand is doing'.
4. The phrase That thine alms may be in secret means: 'Don't let anyone else know what you are doing'.
5. The phrase and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly means: 'When God lets others know about your acts, there is no question about Who let then know'.
C6-S5 : Do not pray like the hypocrites.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds instructions about praying.
2. The phrase And when thou prayest means: 'When you are supposedly talking to God'.
3. The phrase thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are means: 'Don't you personally act like the hypocrites'.
4. The phrase for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets means: 'Don't make a public show'.
5. The phrase that they may be seen of men means: 'The hypocrites claim to be talking to God while they make a public show'.
C6-S6 : If we get reward here, we will not receive everlasting rewards. Our sentence says: Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
C6-S7 : Trust God to reward secret prayer.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. This sentence tells us how to personally pray to God.
2. The phrase But thou, when thou prayest means: 'When you personally have a lifestyle prayer'.
3. The phrase enter into thy closet means: 'Do it in secret where others do not see'.
4. The phrase and when thou hast shut thy door means: 'And when you have verified that it is just you and God meeting'.
5. The phrase pray to thy Father which is in secret means: 'Let God the Father know your secret desires'.
6. The phrase and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly means: 'Let God answer you so that there is no question about some man answering your prayer'.
C6-S8 : Believe that God hears the sincere prayer.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Our sentence tells us how to personally pray to God.
2. The phrase But when ye pray means: 'When you personally talk to God'.
3. The phrase use not vain repetitions means: 'Don't do like the Roman Catholics an other religions teach their people to do with things like their rosary'.
4. The phrase as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking means: 'They think their repeating of a form prayer is what it takes to get through to God'.
C6-S9 : Why.
1. The phrase Be not ye therefore like unto them means: 'Don't personally pray like the ignorant lost person'.
2. The phrase for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him means: 'Here's why. God knows our needs and wants us to recognize our true need is to trust in God for those needs'.
C6-S10 : this is the start of the model prayer. Start by recognizing God's place and character.
1. The phrase After this manner therefore pray ye means: 'We are to each personally pray following this example'.
2. The phrase Our Father means: 'Start by recognizing our relationship with God and His love for us personally'. . . .
3. The phrase which art in heaven means: 'Recognize where God is at'. God can see everything in this physical reality even though we can not see Him.
4. The phrase Hallowed be thy name means: 'Recognize how holy God's power and authority is'. God will not use His power and authority to fulfill lusts of our flesh nor any other sinful desire.
C6-S11 : Seek God's personal kingdom, which is; 'God's character in you today and the 1,000 years reign of Christ in the future'. Our sentence says: Thy kingdom come.
C6-S12 : Seek God's will in your life and in the world. Our sentence says: Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This means: 'Seek God's will for your personal life first. Then seek God's will for your family and all whom you are personally responsible for leading. Then seek God's will for those around you such as your community and country'.
C6-S13 : Declare your dependence on God. Our sentence says: Give us this day our daily bread. This means: 'Recognize that God is the true provider of all that we need in this life and that God provides for us on a daily basis and that this provision is for even the basic food that we eat'.
C6-S14 : Give forgiveness at the level that you want to be forgiven.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is tying our request for God to provide our daily needs to our willingness to forgive others who owe things to us.
2. Our sentence says: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. The word as means: 'in the exact same way'.
C6-S15 : Seek God's guidance based upon God's authority and power.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And lead us not into temptation means: 'God does not tempt us to do evil (James 1:13) but can let devils do so. This is a request for protection from devils and even from the lusts of our own flesh'.
3. The phrase but deliver us from evil means: 'This is a request for protection'.
4. The phrase For thine is the kingdom means: 'This is why God should protect us. We are supposed to be representatives of His kingdom. And, when we act as His representatives, he should protect us. However, when we refuse to act like His representatives, He should also refuse to protect us'.
5. The phrase and the power means: 'This is a recognition that God is the ultimate source of all power in our life'.
6. The phrase and the glory means: 'This is a recognition that we are to give God the glory for anything good done in our life so that others turn to God, and not to us, for their needs to be met'.
7. The phrase for ever means: 'God the Father is the source of all power that is available to us and always will be'.
C6-S16 : All of the prior is a law from God. Our sentence says: Amen, which means: 'It is doubling the prior prayer and making it something that can be used by God when he judges us'.
C6-S17 : Why forgiveness is required. Please note that this sentence is talking about trespasses and not a more serious crime. Please see the Detailed Note for more on this word.
1. The phrase For if ye forgive men their trespasses means: 'This is the conditional requirement which must be fulfilled in order to receive the next phrase'.
2. The phrase your heavenly Father will also forgive you means: 'This is what God the Father will do if we fulfill the prior requirement'.
3. The phrase But if ye forgive not men their trespasses means: 'This is the polar opposite of the beginning of this sentence because this phrase starts wit the word but while following a colon. Between the beginning of this sentence and this part of the sentence Jesus covers every condition related to forgiveness of trespasses and ignores all of the conditions which men like to claim gives them an exception to this rule'.
4. The phrase neither will your Father forgive your trespasses means: 'No matter what men do to us, what we do to God is worse because God includes our influences on future generations when He decides punishment for what we do against Him'.
C6-S18 : Do not fast like the hypocrites.
1. The word Moreover means: 'Going above and beyond the subject of the prior sentence'.
2. The phrase when ye fast means: 'When each and every one of you go without the pleasures of the flesh so that you can draw closer to God'.
3. The phrase be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance means: 'Don't reveal it with your attitude'.
4. The phrase for they disfigure their faces means: 'Don't reveal it on your face'.
5. The phrase that they may appear unto men to fast means: 'They are letting men know that they fast. And, as shown earlier in this sermon, and written in the next sentence, God says that they have their reward. God does not draw closer to them'.
C6-S19 : If we get reward here, we will not receive everlasting rewards. Our sentence says: Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
C6-S20 : How to fast.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Jesus is still talking about fasting while telling us how to do it differently.
2. The phrase But thou, when thou fastest means: 'This is how we are to personally fast'.
3. The phrase anoint thine head, and wash thy face means: 'Fix your outward appearance'.
4. The phrase That thou appear not unto men to fast means: 'Do the prior so that men don't know that you fast'.
5. The phrase but unto thy Father which is in secret means: 'Let God know why you fast'.
6. The phrase and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly means: 'God sees all in this physical reality and God rewards His children who do things strictly to please God'.
C6-S21 : Where to store true treasure. The prior sentences, of this chapter, have instructed us about how to deal with God while in this physical reality. Starting in this sentence, Jesus is telling us the relative importance of things in this physical reality as opposed to spiritual things.
1. The phrase Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth means: 'Do not put value in things of this physical reality because you will leave it at death'.
2. The phrase where moth and rust doth corrupt means: 'In addition, the natural forces of this physical reality destroy what we think is treasure'.
3. The phrase and where thieves break through and steal means: 'In addition to natural forces, we lose things to thieves'.
4. The phrase But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven means: 'Here is where we are to truly store treasure'.
5. The phrase where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt means: 'There is no corruption in Heaven'.
6. The phrase and where thieves do not break through nor steal means: 'There are no thieves in Heaven'.
7. The phrase For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also means: 'Here's why we need to chose where to store our treasure. Where we store our treasure proves what is most important to our heart'.
C6-S22 : Look for God's good in life.
1. The phrase The light of the body is the eye means: 'Most people learn things by what they see'.
2. The phrase if therefore thine eye be single means: 'If the source of all that you claim to know and believe comes from God only'.
3. The phrase thy whole body shall be full of light means: 'Everything in this life will be centered on doing what God wants'.
C6-S23 : If you look at life like the devil wants, your life shall be full of darkness.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Our sentence is continuing the subject of how we live while changing the source of the direction for our life.
2. The phrase But if thine eye be evil means: 'If the source of your instructions on how to live is evil (all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life 1John 2:16)'.
3. The phrase thy whole body shall be full of darkness means: 'Everything in this life will be centered on doing what devils want you to do'.
C6-S24 : those who serve Satan spread darkness.
1. The phrase If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness means: 'If the source of instructions on how to live this life is all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life 1John 2:16 '.
2. The phrase how great is that darkness! means: 'Then your life will be more evil than can be imagined'. We do not live to ourselves nor die to our selves. When Peter returned to his worldly job in John 21, he took most of the disciples with him. Our evil is not measured only by what we do but is also measured by our influence on others.
C6-S25 : A basic precept that is the basis for what follows.
1. The phrase No man can serve two masters means: 'No two people always want the same thing. Thus, the person with more than one master will get conflicting commands and the master who is not obeyed will be upset with the servant'.
2. The phrase for either he will hate the one, and love the other means: 'Here's why. This will be the eventual emotional response'.
3. The phrase or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other means: 'This is the other possible response. The servant will always obey the one master and keep a very low opinion of the other master for trying to interfere with commands from his preferred master'.
C6-S26 : the controlling truth of the prior precept. Our sentence says: Ye cannot serve God and mammon. The word mammon is defined as: 'mammon'. Thus our sentence means: 'You can not seek to please God and seek riches of this world'.
C6-S27 : the first application of that truth.
1. The phrase Therefore I say unto you means: 'This is the conclusion from Jesus'. Details related to this conclusion continue through the rest of this chapter.
2. The phrase Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on means: 'Expect God to provide all that you need in this world if you truly devote your entire life to the service of God, like this sermon said to do before this sentence'.
C6-S28 : How to think about our physical needs.
1. The phrase Is not the life more than meat means: 'Don't you do more in this life than just eating?'.
2. The phrase and the body than raiment? means: 'Isn't your body used for more than a clothes hanger?'.
C6-S29 : the example from nature.
1. The word behold means: 'Pay close attention'.
2. The phrase Behold the fowls of the air means: 'Pay close attention to the lesson from the birds'.
3. The phrase for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns means: 'They don't do anything that men do to feed themselves'.
4. The phrase yet your heavenly Father feedeth them means: 'They don't starve in spite of not preparing for famine'.
C6-S30 : the comparison of value for our attitude. Our sentence says: Are ye not much better than they?.
C6-S31 : the uselessness of the common worldly worry. Our sentence says: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? means: 'The fiction of mind-over-matter does not work'.
C6-S32 : Our sentence is adding a second application of that truth. Our sentence says And why take ye thought for raiment? this means: 'People are concerned about their clothes because it affects what other people think about them. But, from God's perspective, so long as your nakedness is covered, it is sufficient'.
C6-S33 : Consider God's provision.
1. The phrase Consider the lilies of the field means: 'This is the example from Jesus'.
2. The phrase how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin means: 'They don't worry about their covering'.
3. The phrase And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these means: 'From God's perspective, the lilies were more beautiful'. Men have developed ways to see certain forms of energy that our natural eye can not see. And, some are quite beautiful when converted to what we can see. God can see all of them without the need of some machine. Therefore, it is quite reasonable for God to see life in ways that we can not see and for the life which God sees to be more beautiful than the dead clothes which we cover ourselves with.
C6-S34 : the correct attitude to keep.
1. The phrase Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven means: 'Everywhere you look you see God's care for the grasses which become food'.
2. The phrase shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? means: 'So why are you worried about your clothes?'. How many people would accept the clothing of John the Baptist?.
C6-S35 : the third application of that truth. Our sentence says: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? means: 'George Mueller is famous for proving this saying to be true'. Reportedly, they had no food for breakfast at the orphanage. He led the children in prayer thanking God for His provision. At the end of the prayer, there was nocking on the door. The milkman's wagon had broken down and he had to empty the wagon and gave them all of the milk. I believe that was also something about bread being provided. But, he is famous for prating in provisions for hundreds of children on a continual basis.
C6-S36 : Another part of the application. Our sentence says: or, What shall we drink? Please see the notes above for this sentence.
C6-S37 : Another part of the application. Our sentence says: or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Please see the notes above for this sentence.
C6-S38 : Why we need to have the correct Godly attitude.
1. The phrase (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) means: 'The words of this phrase were not in the original Greek but the message of them was there. Therefore, proper interpretation demanded this phrase be included'. Lost people have these worries. We are to live a testimony of God's provision.
2. The phrase for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things means: 'God knows our needs and loves us. Therefore, when it seems like God is not providing, then we don't need what we think we need or we are experiencing a test to grow our faith and have a better testimony for God'.
C6-S39 : the main priority we are to have in life.
1. The word But continues the main message from the prior sentence while contrasting a point of the message. Our sentence is continuing the subject of providing for our physical needs while changing how our needs are to be provided.
2. The phrase But seek ye first the kingdom of God means: 'Each and every one of us personally are to first seek to have God's character in us so that the world sees God's character and God's protection and God's provision when they look at our life'.
3. The phrase and his righteousness means: 'Each and every one of us personally are to seek to have God show us how to do the right thing at the right time and in the right way and with the right motive'.
4. The phrase and all these things shall be added unto you means: 'This is the promise which is made only to those saved people who fulfill the requirements stated earlier in this sentence and in this chapter'. Many people preach this sentence while ignoring the context in spite of our sentence starting with the word But. We are to stop using the attitudes and actions of lost people, like this entire chapter told us to do. Then we are to make our primary (first) goal to be 'having God's character in our character and having God's righteousness be displayed in this physical life'. Only after that can we truly 'claim' the promise of this sentence.
C6-S40 : the main error to avoid. This is the conclusion that Jesus gives for this chapter.
1. The phrase Take therefore no thought for the morrow means: 'This command is a direct result (therefore) of all of the doctrine in this chapter. We do not know what trials or what blessings tomorrow will bring. But the truly saved know Who controls tomorrow and they know His love for them. Therefore, we are to take no thought for the morrow but put our thoughts on pleasing our God Who controls everything'.
2. The phrase for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself means: 'Here's why'. When tomorrow arrives, we need to seek guidance from God on how to deal with whatever it brings.
C6-S41 : the guiding principia for dealing with the problems of life. Our sentence says: Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof means: 'Thank God for what is provided for today and don't let the problems of the future consume your today'.

Home

Chapter 7 Summary : the end of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes': basic interactions for the kingdom of God.

The summary paragraphs of this chapter are presented above as part of the summary on 'The Sermon on the Mount' which was given earlier.

Chapter 5 gave is general spiritual precepts in abstract terms. Then, Chapter 6 gave the application of the precepts found in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 still told us spiritual truths in abstract terms, but it was the application. Now, Chapter 7 is giving us applications in specific physical terms. And, with this, we see the progression with each chapter building on the prior and each chapter becoming more specific in the application.

Matthew 7:1-5 warn us about judging out brother and tells us the correct attitude to have towards what we see as a failure by our brother.

Matthew 7:2; Mark 4:24-25 and Luke 8:18 tell us to take heed how you measure along with a parable to teach that lesson. It is also found in the Table Of` Parables in the NT. This warning tells us to have spiritual things at the highest priority of our life.

In Matthew 7:3-5 and Luke 6:41-42 we read the 'Parable of the Beam and Mote'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

Matthew 7:7-12 give us some requirements for having our prayers answered. The note for Matthew 7:7 also provides links to other Bible references where we read about these requirements. Probably the main reason that God's people don't pray is because they have been convinced that it is a waste of time. That belief is usually due to ignorance of what the word of God truly says about getting prayers answered.

Matthew 7:13-14 and Luke 13:23-24 warn us about believing that we are saved when we are truly lost. Both tell us to Enter ye in at the strait gate. After that Matthew warns us about false prophets. Luke, however, warns about being deceived by those false prophets and about the everlasting consequences of believing the false prophets.

Matthew 7:15-20 warn us about false prophets and tells us to identify them by their fruit. (Please see the Doctrinal Study called False things according to the Bible for links to other false things which God warns us against.) this section includes the 'Parable of the Good Tree and Corrupt Fruit', which is found in Matthew 7:16-20; Matthew 12:33; Luke 6:43-45 and the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

Matthew 7:21-23 gives us a teaching that matches Luke 6:46 and Luke 13:25-27. They all tell us about people calling Jesus Lord, Lord. However, the account in Luke 13 is a parable that many do not recognize as a parable. It is the 'Parable of the Rejected Claims'. In addition, the parable in Matthew 25:1-13 ('The Parable of the Ten Virgins') teaches the same doctrinal lesson. Further, Matthew 7:21-23 gives us a matching teaching but not as a parable. Continuing on, Luke 6:46 is a single sentence which summarizes what we find in Matthew 7:21-23. Further, Matthew 25:41-46 gives a similar teaching but is a different time and applied to a different group of people. Thus, we see the same doctrine taught several different places and with different applications. This lets us know that it is a very important doctrine to know and live by.

In Matthew 7:21-22; Luke 6:46 and Luke 13:25-27 all tell about people calling Jesus Lord, Lord. This sentence is the start of a sub-section of this sermon which actually includes 'Parable of the House on Rock and Sand'. in this section, Jesus is giving us a doctrinal difference between a wise person who believes they are saved and a foolish person who believes they are saved. And, in this section, Jesus is warning that many of the foolish are actually deceived lost people. They are deceived by the false claims of religion and never had, and developed, an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Please see the note for Matthew 7:21-22 for a summary of the doctrine in this section of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes'.

In Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 we read the 'Parable of the House on Rock and Sand'. It is also found in the Table of Parables in the New Testament.

Matthew 7:24-27 is one of several places in the Bible where the Bible uses the word Rock for Christ. This symbolic meaning is true every place in the Bible where we find the word rock. Please see Luke 6:47-48 about this word. Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God Section, of the Significant Gospel Events Study, for links to other titles and their related Bible references.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

1-27. Christ, continuing his sermon on the mount, reproves rash judgment, etc.
28-29. Christ ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.'.

C7-S1 : the next sentence says why and must be considered with this sentence.
1. Our sentence says: Judge not, that ye be not judged. means: 'Exactly what it said'. However, many people quote this out of context in order to be a servant of Satan and pervert the message. First, this is following Chapter 6, which ended telling us to seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness. Thus, this instruction is given to saved people who are truly trying to serve God. However, this sentence is quoted out of context by people who are trying to justify a life of sin. And, such are foolish enough to believe that they will never be judged for their sin, not even by God. In addition, this sentence is used, out of context, in order to deny a warning from someone who is trying to honestly help them before they receive consequences from God for their life of sin. In addition, John 7:24 tells us : Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. And, there is much more in the word of God about judgment including the next four sentences which qualifies what is said in this sentence. Please see the Detailed note for more references to this subject.
C7-S2 : We will receive what we give to others.
1. The phrase For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged means: 'Here's why the prior sentence said what it said'. As mentioned above, we are also told to judge righteous judgment. Since we will be judged by God, and He will use righteous judgment, we have no bad consequence if we truly judge righteous judgment.
2. The phrase and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again means: 'Basically, treat God's children the way that you want to be treated'.
3. I have had people justify someone abusing me to the point of permanent physical damage and death. (I have been resurrected twice.) they claimed that their doctrine allowed such actions but cried for the rest of their physical life when God brought the same circumstances into the life of their children. It is far more critical for God's children to take heed of this warning than most of them believe.
C7-S3 : Consider your own spiritual condition first.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence is adding this parable to the warning about judging. Most people consider themselves to be better than God considers them to be. Therefore, they may find a greater judgment coming upon themselves that they expected, if they judge their brother.
2. The phrase And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye means: 'Why are you looking at the small thing in someone else'.
3. The phrase but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? means: 'When you have not corrected your own greater fault?'. This is am obvious exaggeration, in the physical reality, with the phrase the beam that is in thine own eye. However, from a spiritual perspective, this phrase can be taken literally. There are many religious people who 'take a stand' for what is obvious spiritual error even while they try to correct minor doctrinal issues that others have. And, that is what we see the Jewish religious leaders doing in the Gospel accounts and it is also what we see most religious leaders doing today.
4. This parable must be understood spiritually because it is obvious that it can not happen literally in the physical reality. And, like all parables, it allows the lost and carnal to arrive at doctrinal error while the only ones who truly understand the message are the saved people who have it interpreted to them by God's Holy Spirit.
C7-S4 : An alternative question. How can you do for someone else what you can not do for yourself?
1. The phrase Or how wilt thou say to thy brother means: 'This phrase is identifying the person who goes beyond beholding and is now trying to correct a minor flaw in another person whom they consider to be a brother. All siblings understand how irritating it is for another sibling to try and correct some minor issue that the first sibling does not see as a problem'.
2. The phrase Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye means: 'Let me straighten you out on this minor issue'.
3. The phrase and, behold means: 'Pay close attention to this addition'.
4. The phrase a beam is in thine own eye? means: 'It is one thing for someone who is in better spiritual shape to try to help us and something totally different for someone who has a major fault claiming that they can fix some minor issue that is the same type as their own major fault'.
C7-S5 : the correct action to take.
1. The phrase Thou hypocrite means: 'You personally are pretending to be something that you are not'.
2. The phrase first cast out the beam out of thine own eye means: 'Clean up your own spiritual problem'.
3. The phrase and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye means: 'No one can correct a spiritual problem with physical means. Until you learn to see things spiritually, and learn how to correct your own spiritual problem, you can not correct someone else's spiritual problem. And, in particular, you can not clean up a spiritual problem using physical religious methods'.
C7-S6 : Consider how people will handle anything spiritual that you give them. This sentence may seem to be unrelated to the parable in the prior sentences, but it is telling us how to deal with lost and carnal people after we have removed the beam from our own eye.
1. The phrase Give not that which is holy unto the dogs. Jews used the word dog to mean: 'A person worthy of great contempt because they worshipped devils' thus, our phrase means: 'Don't give what God reserves for His people to people who worship devils'.
2. The phrase neither cast ye your pearls before swine. Jews used the word pearl to mean: 'a very precious jewel which comes from irritating a living oyster. The gates of heaven are described as consisting of pearls'. Thus, this phrase is describing the wisdom received by acting Godly through persecution. Jews used the word to mean: 'swine' to be: 'a spiritually unclean animal and representing a spiritually unclean person because of apostasy'. Thus, our phrase is telling us 'Don't give the hard earned wisdom which comes from living righteously to a person who has turned their back on God in order to embrace a sinful life'.
3. The phrase lest they trample them under their feet means: 'These two types of people will treat such things with contempt and try to tell others that such things are only useful for walking on'.
4. The phrase and turn again and rend you means: 'These two types of people will attack you and try to destroy you for trying to give such Godly things to them'.
C7-S7 : Promise to those who do right. Our chapter started with how to deal with other people. Now, it is telling us how to deal with God. Many messages have been made based upon this sentence and not all are completely true. Our sentence has three action verbs and three promises related to each of them. However, while not stated, these actions must be done in order to serve God in order to receive the promises.
1. The phrase Ask, and it shall be given you means: 'Our third next phrase tells us why this promise is true. Notice that that phrase uses the lifestyle form of verbs. This promise is limited to our asking for what we need to continue asking for in order for our continuing receiving the result in order to serve God. Thus, asking for God's guidance, protection and provision, on a daily basis and so that we can truly serve God, is the type of thing that this promise can be applied to'.
2. The phrase seek, and ye shall find. The word seek means: 'you continue to look many ways and many places until you find all that there is to find'. Therefore, our phrase means: 'Our third next phrase tells us why this promise is true. Again, we see the lifestyle verb of seeketh attached to the promised lifestyle result of findeth. Once more we see a lifestyle dependence upon God for ongoing provision of what we need such as true understanding of the word of God'.
3. The phrase knock, and it shall be opened unto you means: 'Our third next phrase tells us why this promise is true. This is dealing with the time when we are on the outside of God's protection and provision and we realize that we need God to take us in. One of the simplest prayers is; 'Lord, help'. That is the circumstance which our phrase is dealing with'.
4. The phrase For every one that asketh receiveth means: 'This was dealt with for the earlier phrase'.
5. The phrase and he that seeketh findeth means: 'This was dealt with for the earlier phrase'.
6. The phrase and to him that knocketh it shall be opened means: 'This was dealt with for the earlier phrase'.
C7-S8 : Consider natural affection.
1. The phrase Or what man is there of you means: 'Jesus is providing another way to thing about the doctrine which he is teaching'.
2. The phrase whom if his son ask bread means: 'This conditional phrase describes a common occurrence'.
3. The phrase will he give him a stone? means: 'This is a response, to the prior phrase, which should never happen'. This sentence, and the next sentence, were said to make us consider the character of our God and to see how God will never react to a request from one of His children.
C7-S9 : Second example of natural affection. Our sentence says: Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? It should be obvious that a fish is easy to cook and eat while a poisonous serpent can kill the child.
C7-S10 : Consider God's love compared to natural affection.
1. The phrase If ye then, being evil means: 'This describes the spiritual nature of most religious people'.
2. The phrase know how to give good gifts unto your children means: 'This describes what most people knowhow to do regardless of their personal nature'.
3. The phrase how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? means: 'This is the comparison to God the Father. He is not evil. Therefore, He knows much more how to give good things to them that ask him. The true problem is that many people don't want what is truly good because such gifts are designed to give us spiritual everlasting rewards and are not designed to give us temporary physical rewards'.
C7-S11 : the 'Law of Sowing and Reaping'.
1. The phrase Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you means: 'This is the conclusion of these commandments. Don't treat others like they treat you. Treat others like you want God to treat you'.
2. The phrase do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets means: 'The truth of the prior phrase is why God had all of the Old Testament written'.
C7-S12 : Go the true way of salvation.
1. The phrase Enter ye in at the strait gate. The word strait means: 'narrow, restricted, difficult to traverse'. Therefore, our phrase means: 'Go to God and Heaven through the very narrow and restricted entry way'. This tells us to reject 'liberal interpretations' and the use of 'other languages' to 'correct' our God preserved English KJV-1611. Every one of those 'corrections' are from carnal and lost people trying to use their natural reasoning to justify their fulfilling their lusts.
2. The phrase for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction means: 'Here's why'. People claim 'There are many ways to Heaven' and 'there are many ways to interpret the Bible' and many other similar claims which fit into the phrases of: wide is the gate, and broad is the way. However, as Jesus said, they leadeth to destruction. And, it is God who determines who receives destruction and who does not. These lying fools claim that their opinion will force God the change His judgment.
3. The phrase and many there be which go in thereat means: 'Most religious people are going to Hell because they believe a lie'.
4. The phrase Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life means: 'Most religious people refuse to accept the narrow and hard way that God has for going to Heaven and to increased spiritual life while we are still in this physical reality'.
5. The phrase and few there be that find it means: 'This is very clear even if most people reject this truth'.
C7-S13 : the main warning to remember.
1. The phrase Beware of false prophets means: 'This is clear on the surface and follows the prior sentence because false prophets are who lead God's people away from the strait gate'. Please see the Study called False things according to the Bible about false prophets.
2. The phrase which come to you in sheep's clothing means: 'This is the warning'. They present themselves as 'good, godly, fundamental, Bible believing, KJV only Baptists', or the religious equivalent for other groups of saved people. Most people can not tell the difference between a false prophet and a true man of God because that are looking at the wrong thing to determining if they are true. Our next sentence tells us how to truly identify them.
3. The phrase but inwardly they are ravening wolves means: 'This describes their true nature and how God sees them'.
C7-S14 : How to identify Satan's ministers. Our sentence says: Ye shall know them by their fruits. means: 'Each and every one of you personally will know them by the type of spiritual life they produce in their followers'. The word of God teaches us much about fruit, in addition to what follows this sentence. Earlier in our chapter, we were told to clean up our own life before trying to correct a minor flaw in our brother. One of the ways to identify a false prophet is that he makes excuses for his own ongoing sin. And, as shown in the following sentences, a false prophet will insist that we accept anyone who makes a profession as being truly saved. Take a hard look and prayerful consideration of C7-S20.
C7-S15 : Consider the source and result relationship. Our sentence says: Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Jesus asked this question, which has an obvious answer, in order to get people thinking and understand the parallel relationship when the same principal is applied to men.
C7-S16 : the true source can be determined by the result.
1. The word Even means: 'Having equal weight. when the two sides of a balancing scale are even, then the two sides of the scale have equal weights'.
2. The phrase Even so means: 'In the same way as we can see the obvious answer of the prior sentence, we can use the same method to judge a tree by its fruit'.
3. The phrase every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit means: 'The type of tree determines the type of fruit produced and this is consistent for the life of the tree unless someone changes the character of the tree'.
C7-S17 : the precept of the source-result relationship. This sentence is stated by Jesus as an absolute truth.
1. The phrase A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit means: 'This truth is seen in the physical world. The spiritual application is that someone who is directed by God (a good tree) in all that they do cannot produce doctrines from devils'.
2. The phrase neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit means: 'This truth is seen in the physical world. The spiritual application is that someone who is directed by devils (a corrupt tree) in all that they do cannot produce doctrines from God'.
C7-S18 : God's judgment of our spiritual fruit.
1. The phrase Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down. The phrase Every tree includes 'saved but carnal people who are promoting a doctrine from a devil'. Therefore, our phrase means: 'God will eventually destroy anyone, including the saved, who do not produce good fruit'. And, since fruit is used symbolically for: 'New life', then the people who claim to be saved but refuse to participate in the 'Great Commission' are, eventually, included in this phrase. A new fruit tree needs a couple of years to grow before it starts to produce fruit. But, after that initial time, it is wasting space if it does not start to p[produce fruit.
2. The phrase and cast into the fire means: 'Yes, this is speaking of Hell for lost people but it is also speaking about the trial by fire for the saved (1Corinthians 3:13-15; 1Peter 1:7)'.
C7-S19 : How to judge preachers and their doctrine. Our sentence says: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them means: 'Take the time necessary for the preacher to produce fruit before you inspect it. But, when enough time has passed, be sure that you do closely inspect the fruit for the type of spiritual life which is displayed'.
C7-S20 : Not everyone who makes a profession is truly saved. I've heard this sentence preached more than once but can't remember anyone preaching the context. In particular, the people described in this sentence, and the next few sentences, are people who believed the doctrine of false prophets. In addition, while they may have religious works, they do not produce any true spiritual fruit.
1. The phrase Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord. The phrase saith unto me, Lord, Lord identifies people who have made a profession and truly believe that they are truly saved. Therefore, our phrase means: 'There are people who have made a profession and truly believe that they are truly saved, but are not saved'.
2. The phrase shall enter into the kingdom of heaven means: 'This phrase literally tells us that the people identified are not saved even though they believe that they are'.
3. The phrase but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven means: 'This phrase identified the truly saved'. The devil has convinced people that there is a conflict between works and grace. And, anyone who says that spiritual works are required by God from the truly saved, like our sentence does, is accused of preaching 'Lordship Salvation'. The fact is that God must give us His grace, in the form of true salvation or spiritual gifts, before any spiritual works can be produced from our life. Jesus said: ye must be born again (John 3:7). It is not possible for anyone to do any work before that have a body to do it with. However, if the baby stops moving, it is dead. The same is true spiritually. God uses our spiritual life and spiritual gifts to do spiritual work through us. Yes, we have to do work, but the work that we do is to make ourselves available for God to do the actual spiritual work through us. And, God is faithful to always keep His promises including doing spiritual work through our physical life. Therefore, the person who NEVER doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven does not let God work through their life and God refuses to save such people. We are not saved because we said a prayer or made a profession of anything else that is similar. We are saved by the person of Jesus Christ when we accept an ongoing personal relationship with Him and letting Him do spiritual works through our physical life is pare of that relationship. If we are not truly willing to accept all that is involved in the relationship, then He is not willing to save us.
C7-S21 : the false assurance of religious works.
1. The phrase Many will say to me in that day means: 'This is the day when people meet the Lord Jesus Christ in person due to death'. The 'Rapture' is not included here because they are not saved.
2. The phrase Lord, Lord means: 'They call Him Lord, Lord, but refuse to obey according to the last phrase of our prior sentence. Therefore, they do not have a true relationship with Him as their personal Lord'.
3. The phrase have we not prophesied in thy name? means: 'This is a religious work and can be done with the power of a devil'. Please see Acts 16:16-20.
C7-S22 : the false assurance of religious power. Our sentence says: and in thy name have cast out devils?. This sentence adds another evidence of people trusting in religious works instead of an ongoing personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
C7-S23 : the false assurance of relies works. Our sentence says: means: 'and in thy name done many wonderful works?'. The works spoken of here includes ministries with thousands of lost people and big buildings. This sentence adds another evidence of people trusting in religious works instead of an ongoing personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
C7-S24 : the true requirement of a personal intimate relationship.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. Our sentence adds the response from Jesus to the religious claims made in the prior sentences.
2. The phrase And then will I profess unto them means: 'Jesus will give this legal profession after they die'. God gives most people most of their life to truly Biblically repent and agree to obey Jesus. With a few rare exceptions, God does not give judgment before the end of life at death. However, once dead, we can do no other works and all that can be done is for God to judge what we did while in this life.
3. The phrase I never knew you means: 'The true Biblical definition of the word knew includes a personal intimate relationship' *(Genesis 4:1; Genesis 4:25). They may have had a religious relationship with Jesus, but it was not a personal intimate relationship.
4. The phrase depart from me means: 'This is the judgment that Jesus will render to the truly lost'.
5. The phrase ye that work iniquity means: 'Each and every one of you personally have led a lifestyle of ongoing sin (iniquity)'.
C7-S25 : the first part of 'Parable of the House on Rock and Sand'. This parable is the conclusion of the entire sermon. Please see the Table Of Parables in the NT for links to other parables in the Gospel accounts.
1. The phrase Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them means: 'This is the conditional requirement for receiving the rest of this sentence'.
2. The phrase I will liken him unto a wise man means: 'Jesus is saying that he is similar (liken) to a wise man'. He may not be wise in manythings of life but he acts like a wise man for the most important things of life.
3. The phrase which built his house upon a rock means: 'Every place where the word of God uses the word rock, it is used symbolically for Christ including where Satan has his false christs'. In addition, the word house symbolically includes everything in our life including, mate, children, career, possessions and anything else associated with our physical life.
4. The phrase And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house means: 'These phrases are used symbolically for the storms of life that we each experience'.
5. The phrase and it fell not means: 'This person survived the trials and storms of life because he was dependent upon his personal relationship with Christ to get him through the storms of life'.
C7-S26 : the rest of 'Parable of the House on Rock and Sand'. In Michigan, almost half of the time required to build a house, especially if it has a basement, is spent on the foundation. The difference between the prior sentence and this sentence is in how much time and effort is spent upon the foundation. This man had his house built faster, cheaper and with less effort. He looked wiser in the beginning. And, one of the main messages of this parable is the difference between being short-sighted with life and taking the everlasting view.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. This sentence is adding another condition and result to the prior sentence.
2. The phrase And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not means: 'This is the conditional requirement for receiving the rest of this sentence'.
3. The phrase shall be likened unto a foolish man means: 'This is what he is like. He may be wise in some areas of life but is foolish in his overall way of living'.
4. The phrase which built his house upon the sand. The meaning of the word house was given in the note for the prior sentence. The symbolic meaning of the word sand is generally accepted as religious doctrines. Therefore, this phrase describes the person who builds their life upon some religion or philosophy which goes against what the word of God says. And, that includes the so-called atheists.
5. The phrase 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 means: 'These phrases are used symbolically for the storms of life that we each experience'.
6. The phrase and it fell: and great was the fall of it means: 'This is what gets gossips going. Some have sympathy and claim that what happened was terrible and wonder why God did not prevent the tragedy. Some go so far as to blame God for not preventing the fall. Few recognize a judgment of God on a foolish and sinful life. And, yes, hearing and not doing the sayings of Jesus is sin'.
C7-S27 : the difference in authority.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means it is adding another thought to what was said in the prior sentence. This sentence adds the report of the reaction of the people to the entire sermon.
2. The phrase And it came to pass means: 'This is the result after Jesus finished His sermon'.
3. The phrase when Jesus had ended these sayings means: 'This is when the result happened'.
4. The phrase the people were astonished at his doctrine means: 'This is what the result was'.
5. The phrase For he taught them as one having authority means: 'Here's why'. The doctrine of this site uses rules of analysis which always work and never change for any reason. The rules used are the basis of the laws of Math and of the true Scientific Method. They are part of the wisdom of God...even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world (1Corinthians 2:7). And, we can know that these rules are part of this wisdom of God because they always work, with no exceptions, and produce a result which has no conflicts and no errors.
6. The phrase and not as the scribes means: 'Jesus did not quote religious tradition. Nor did He quote famous preachers of the past. And, while preachers of today want to deny this truth, most preach like the scribes did'.

Home Summary Continuation

Interpretive Study of Matthew's Gospel - Summary.

Jesus Fulfilled God's Law and Proved that He was / is God's Christ.

Chapter 1 Summary : the physical ancestry of Jesus which proves that He is the Son of David.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 2 Summary : the first true worship of Jesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 3 Summary : the ministry of John the Baptist.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 4 Summary : the start of the ministry of Jesus.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 5 Summary : the start of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes': basic concepts for the kingdom of God, Chapters 5-7:

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 6 Summary : the middle of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes': basic actions for the kingdom of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

Chapter 7 Summary : the end of the 'Sermon of the Mount / Beatitudes': basic interactions for the kingdom of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides a chapter outline as:

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