Scribd
Upload
416 views3 pages

Exegetical Paper - Matthew 7 - FORM-AND-STRUCTURE

The document outlines Matthew chapter 7 and discusses its content, which includes an introduction, Jesus' principles on judging and asking, and a conclusion. It then analyzes specific verses in more depth, explaining Jesus' message about not judging others and only offering correction without self-righteousness. Within the discussed verses, it observes a three-part structural arrangement involving a caution against judging, the reason for this prohibition, and a rule regarding giving reproof.

Uploaded by

Felly Rose Policarpio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
416 views3 pages

Exegetical Paper - Matthew 7 - FORM-AND-STRUCTURE

The document outlines Matthew chapter 7 and discusses its content, which includes an introduction, Jesus' principles on judging and asking, and a conclusion. It then analyzes specific verses in more depth, explaining Jesus' message about not judging others and only offering correction without self-righteousness. Within the discussed verses, it observes a three-part structural arrangement involving a caution against judging, the reason for this prohibition, and a rule regarding giving reproof.

Uploaded by

Felly Rose Policarpio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

III.

FORM AND STRUCTURE

 Matthew chapter 7 may be outlined as follows based on its content.

 A. Introduction. (vv.1-2) 

 B. Jesus’ principle regarding judging. (vv.3-6)

 C. Jesus’ principle regarding asking (vv.7-11)

 D. Conclusion (v.12)

When Jesus saw that many people followed him, he went up on a mountainside with his disciples

(Mt 5:1) and he taught his disciples many things regarding true happiness, being salt and light,

teachings about the law, anger, adultery, divorce, vows, revenge, charity, prayer, fasting,

possessions and judging. (Mt 6-7)

Jesus is teaching how to conduct oneself about the faults of others; and his expressions seem

intended as a rebuke to the scribes and Pharisees, who were very severe in condemning people

and are proud in justifying themselves.

 Do not judge without judgment (Mt 7:1). For every judge will be judge by God (v.2). This verse

appears in a similar form to Jesus' Sermon on the book of Luke (Luke 6:37-38). “Do not judge

and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you

will be forgiven. Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken

together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be

measured to you.” The “judging” that Jesus tells in this verse points to the spirit as demonstrated

by the habit of condemning leading inevitably to wicked judging

 
 With the command “Judge not, that you be not judged”, Jesus warned against passing judgment

upon others, because when we do so, we will be judged similarly for God will measure unto us

according to the same measure we use for others.  

However, like most of the people thought, we are in danger of making this verse out of context

and making it an excuse for any lifestyle we want because no one should judge. One must realize

that Jesus does not oppose offering correction, but only offering correction for the sake of

condemning others and justifying one’s self for the sake of self-righteousness like the Pharisees

whom this verse is addressed to. Remember that Jesus called for righteousness that was greater

than that of the scribes and Pharisees.

 Matthew 7:3-5. “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’

when all the time there is a plank in your eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye,

and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” A wooden beam (let

in, from δέχομαι) or joist, is a symbol of a great fault in Jews. Also, the beam in the eye is a

natural impossibility; the camel and the needle eye. This Eastern imagination was prone to

exaggeration or a figure of speech, hyperbole used to emphasize things to fully grasp its

meaning. In reality, the man Jesus refers to in these verses is not necessarily ignorant of his faults

but he does not let his mind rest on them for He is more pleased to think of other people’s faults.

 Under discussion (vv.1-7), the following structural arrangement is observable.


 1. A caution against judging. (v. 1) 

 2. The reason to enforce this prohibition. (v. 2-5)

 3. Rule in giving reproof. (v.6)

 Sources:  

 2018 David Guzik, Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT)

 Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Matthew 7:4". The Expositor's

Greek Testament.

You might also like