Big Idea: Jesus calls his disciples to discernment and loyal actions in their relationships as well as ongoing prayer that trusts in their gracious and good God.

Understanding the Text

This passage includes a number of topics that are picked up in other parts of Matthew. The prohibition of judging (7:1) is clarified in chapter 13, where disciples are to avoid judging the eschatological fate of others in the Christian community (13:27–30). Jesus’ disciples are also warned against hypocrisy, which has already been exposed at 6:1–18 (see also 15:1–9; 23:13–32). Trusting prayer is a hallmark of Jesus’ followers (6:5–15; 21:21–22). The Golden Rule (7:12) brings the body of the Sermon on the Mount (5:17–7:12) full circle, back to the centrality of faithfulness to “the Law and the Prophets” for tho…