The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 - 7
Chapter 7
Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house
on the rock. The rain came down, the floods rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not
fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them
into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain came down, the floods rose, and the
winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell with a great crash.
What does this mean?
Explanation of Matthew 7:24-27
This passage is the conclusion of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing
His teachings but also putting them into practice. Here’s a detailed biblical explanation of each part:
"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his
house on the rock."
- Explanation: Jesus begins by comparing those who hear His teachings and apply them in their lives to a wise
builder who constructs his house on a solid foundation. The "rock" represents a stable and secure foundation,
symbolizing obedience to Jesus' teachings. Wisdom here is equated with the practical application of His words.
"The rain came down, the floods rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because
it had its foundation on the rock."
- Explanation: The house built on the rock withstands the storms, symbolizing the trials and challenges of life.
The solid foundation (obedience to Jesus' teachings) ensures that the house (the person's life) remains
steadfast and unshaken despite difficulties. This illustrates the strength and resilience that come from living
according to Jesus' words.
"But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his
house on the sand."
- Explanation: In contrast, Jesus compares those who hear His teachings but fail to apply them to a foolish
builder who constructs his house on an unstable foundation (sand). The sand represents a lack of solid grounding
in Jesus' teachings, indicating superficial faith or disregard for His words. Foolishness here is characterized
by the failure to act on Jesus' instructions.
"The rain came down, the floods rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; and it fell with a great
crash."
- Explanation: The house built on the sand collapses when faced with the same storms, symbolizing the inevitable
failure and destruction that come from not living according to Jesus' teachings. The great crash signifies the
severity of the consequences of ignoring His words.
Summary:
In this passage, Jesus underscores the critical importance of not only hearing His teachings but also living by
them. He uses the metaphor of two builders to illustrate the difference between wise and foolish responses to His
words. The wise builder, who hears and obeys Jesus' teachings, constructs his life on a solid and unshakable
foundation, able to withstand life's challenges. Conversely, the foolish builder, who hears but disregards Jesus'
teachings, builds on an unstable foundation, leading to inevitable ruin when difficulties arise. This teaching
highlights the necessity of practical obedience to Jesus' words as the foundation for a resilient and enduring life
of faith.
