Warnings in the Sermon on the Mount

The words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount are some of the most well-known among his followers, and even among those who don’t recognize him as Lord. His original listeners were astounded by his teaching as well. Matthew tells us that they “were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law” (Matt 7:28–29). This shows us that Jesus’ teachings stand out. Consider then how he warns those who hear his words at the conclusion of his sermon. Let’s look at these warnings with some help from the Moody Bible Commentary.

Warning #1 – The Road to Destruction

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Matthew 7:13–14

Verse 12 concludes the Sermon on the Mount. What follows in vv. 13–27 are four warnings Jesus gives to His audience about applying the sermon. The first warning (vv. 13–14) is a caution to the lost about where they are headed. The verb enter (v. 13) has no grammatical object, but v. 14 indicates that eternal life is the destination and should probably be understood here. The narrow gate, small gate and narrow way are harder to find than the wide ones and must be sought deliberately, or people will not escape destruction. The narrow way that leads to life is found only by faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Jn 14:6; Ac 4:12). Destruction means “a loss that produces utter ruin, perishing,” and here refers to loss of eternal life.

Warning #2 – Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

Matthew 7:15–20

This is the second warning, cautioning His followers about “pretenders.” Perhaps the connection here with vv. 13–14 is that false prophets prevent others from entering the narrow gate because they beckon people to the broad gate. Verses 16–20 tell of their deeds, vv. 21–23 of their words.

False prophets (v. 15) are ravenous wolves who look like the sheep but will devour God’s flock for their devious ends. Not all who claim to be a part of the covenant community are. Jesus teaches that there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, houses that look similar but have different foundations, tares that resemble wheat (13:24), wise and foolish virgins (25:1–13), and good and bad slaves (25:14–30). Fruits refer to the actions of false prophets, and while their deeds might temporarily conceal who they really are, eventually their actions will betray them (vv. 16–18). A false prophet does evil deeds and teaches rotten doctrine just as surely as a bad plant produces correspondingly bad fruit

Warning #3 – False Claims of Allegiance

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

Matthew 7:21–23

This is the third warning, directed at those who claim to be a part of Jesus’ community but who are not. No one is allowed admission into the kingdom on the basis of the good deeds he has performed, no matter how spectacular they might be (prophesy, cast out demons, perform many miracles). Entering the kingdom only happens when one has the kind of righteousness grounded in Christ that surpasses the Pharisees’ (5:10–11, 20); when, like a little child, one depends on the Lord for entrance (18:3); when one recognizes that entering is possible only as God effects it (19:16–17, 23–26); and when one enters only through Jesus (and the religious leaders hindered people from doing this, 23:13). I never knew you has the sense, “I do not recognize you as one of my people,” and their alleged good deeds He views as LAWLESSNESS.

Warning #4 – The Fool Who Builds on Sand

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

Matthew 7:24–27

The last of the four warnings, this one is about acting upon the words of Jesus. Just as there are wolves among the sheep (7:15–23) and tares among the wheat (13:24–30) until the end, so do the houses of the wise and foolish stand side by side until the Son of Man comes to judge and take His throne. The house is a person who has heard Jesus’ words; the rock represents the teachings of Jesus that, as one does them, result in withstanding the storm, whether it be eschatological judgment (Is 29:6; 30:30; Ezk 13:10–16; 38:22) or life’s trials.

Learn More with the Moody Bible Commentary

The Moody Bible Commentary is an excellent one-volume commentary on the entire Bible. Nearly every verse is commented on by professors at Moody Bible Institute, along with maps and charts to aid you in learning about God’s written word. Pick up your copy today and put this commentary to use in the Olive Tree app!