All things bear record · Matthew

Matthew 7

7 witnesses of Christ here.

Jesus teaches righteous judgment

Judge not, that ye be not judged. Matthew 7:1–6

Jesus warns against condemning others while ignoring our own faults. Only He is the perfect judge, so we should fix our own beams first.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:1-6 — The same teaching given to the Nephites.

Ask, seek, knock

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7–12

Jesus promises that the Father gives good things to those who ask. He then sums up the law and the prophets in the Golden Rule.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:7-12 — The same promise given to the Nephites.
  • alluded to by D&C 88:63 — The Lord repeats the promise: 'seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened.'

The strait gate and narrow way

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Matthew 7:13–14

Jesus describes a narrow gate and path that lead to eternal life. Nephi explains that the gate is repentance and baptism, and the path is following Christ; Jesus Himself is the Way and the door.

AttestedEchoAn echo of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • interpreted by 2 Nephi 31:17-21 — The gate is repentance and baptism; the strait and narrow path is pressing forward with faith in Christ.
  • the same title in 2 Nephi 9:41 — The way is narrow, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel.
  • the same title in John 14:6 — 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.'
  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:13-14 — The same teaching given to the Nephites.

By their fruits

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15–20

Jesus warns of false prophets who look like sheep but are wolves. The test He gives is their fruits.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:15-20 — The same warning given to the Nephites.
  • alludes to Moroni 7:5 — Mormon: by their works ye shall know them.

Christ the Judge

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. Matthew 7:21–23

Jesus says that at the Judgment people will call Him 'Lord' and He will decide who enters. What matters is not saying His name, but doing the Father's will and truly knowing Him.

AttestedExplicitHe speaks in the first person

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:21-23 — The same warning given to the Nephites.
  • interpreted by John 5:22 — The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
  • the same event in Mosiah 26:27 — The Lord to Alma: at the judgment 'then shall they know that I never knew them.'

The Rock

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Matthew 7:24–27

The wise man builds on a rock that storms cannot move. Helaman teaches that this sure foundation is the rock of our Redeemer, Christ, and building on it means hearing and doing His words.

AttestedProphecy or typeAn object that is a type of Him

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • interpreted by Helaman 5:12 — Build your foundation upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ.
  • the same title in 3 Nephi 11:39-40 — Jesus: whoso buildeth upon this, my doctrine, buildeth upon my rock.
  • the same title in 1 Corinthians 10:4 — That Rock was Christ.
  • a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:24-27 — The same parable given to the Nephites.

Jesus teaches with authority

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: Matthew 7:28–29

The scribes quoted other teachers, but Jesus spoke with His own authority. The people could feel that He was not like any other teacher.

AttestedExplicitname

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

  • alludes to Matthew 5:21-22 — His repeated 'But I say unto you' is the authority the people noticed.