Matthew 7:24 reads “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.” This verse comes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. It uses the parable of building a house on rock versus sand to illustrate the importance of obedience to Jesus’ teachings.
Quick Summary of Matthew 7:24
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus compares someone who hears His words and puts them into practice to a wise man who builds his house on a solid rock foundation. This metaphor emphasizes that building one’s life on Jesus’ teachings will lead to stability and strength, while ignoring them is foolish and will lead to collapse.
Context of Matthew 7:24
Matthew 7:24 falls within Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which covers Matthew chapters 5-7. In this extended teaching, Jesus covered many topics including:
- The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)
- Salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)
- Fulfilling the Old Testament Law (Matthew 5:17-20)
- Anger and reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-26)
- Adultery and divorce (Matthew 5:27-32)
- Oaths and vows (Matthew 5:33-37)
- Turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42)
- Love for enemies (Matthew 5:43-48)
- Giving to the needy (Matthew 6:1-4)
- Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)
- Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
- Treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-24)
- Do Not Worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
- Judging others (Matthew 7:1-6)
- Ask, Seek, Knock (Matthew 7:7-12)
- The Narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13-14)
- False Prophets (Matthew 7:15-20)
- I Never Knew You (Matthew 7:21-23)
So Matthew 7:24 comes near the end of this lengthy teaching by Jesus to His disciples and the crowds. It serves as the opening verse of a short parable about the importance of obedience to Jesus’ words.
Parable of the Two Builders
Matthew 7:24 begins the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders, which continues through verse 27. In this parable, Jesus contrasts two men who build houses – one on rock and the other on sand. He uses this metaphor to emphasize the secure blessings received by those who obey His teachings versus the instability awaiting those who ignore them.
Here is the full text of the parable:
“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)
In this metaphor, the rain, streams, and wind represent the trials and tests of life. The two foundations represent responses to Jesus’ teaching. The rock signifies obedience and firm foundation in Christ’s words, while the sand signifies disobedience and lack of foundation.
Meaning of “On the Rock”
When Jesus says the wise man built his house “on the rock,” He is referring to the teachings He has just delivered in the Sermon on the Mount. These teachings represent Jesus’ core message about how to live as citizens of God’s kingdom.
Some key themes of the Sermon on the Mount include:
- An emphasis on inner righteousness rather than outward religious deeds
- Love, reconciliation, and forgiveness
- Integrity and generosity
- Prayer and dependence on God
- Seeking God’s kingdom as a top priority
By telling His listeners to build their lives on His words, Jesus was pointing them to a solid foundation of godly character and right living. His teachings provide stability because they reflect the unchanging truth and wisdom of God.
Meaning of “On the Sand”
In contrast to the rock, the “sand” in Jesus’ parable represents a life built without regard for His teaching. It signifies disobedience, carelessness, and preoccupation with the things of this world. A sand foundation suggests shallowness and a lack of roots in divine truth.
Whereas the rock provides stability and endurance, the sand shifts and slides. It represents a moral foundation unable to withstand the rains, floods, and winds of trials and temptation. Such a life looks fine in pleasant weather but is doomed to collapse when storms come.
By concluding His sermon with this parable, Jesus emphasizes that obedience is key. It is not enough just to hear or admire His teaching. For lives to remain standing, His words must be put into practice.
A Call to Obedience
Matthew 7:24 kicks off a conclusion focused on obedience. Jesus does not give this teaching just to be admired, but to be obeyed. Only by building their lives on His words can believers experience security and peace through life’s ups and downs.
In the verses leading up to this parable, Jesus warned about false prophets and declared that not everyone professing His name will enter heaven (Matthew 7:15-23). Now He makes clear that obedience is what separates true disciples from false ones. It is not mere hearing that matters, but active obedience.
The rest of the New Testament also echoes Matthew 7:24 in calling followers of Jesus to obedience:
- “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” (John 14:21)
- “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands.” (2 John 1:6)
- “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar.” (1 John 2:3)
In preaching the importance of obedience, Jesus was not advocating a works-based righteousness. Salvation is by grace, not human effort. However, good works naturally follow as evidence of true spiritual transformation.
As Ephesians 2:8-10 makes clear, we are saved by grace and created for good works:
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
So in Matthew 7:24, Jesus calls His followers to demonstrate the authenticity of their faith through obedience. Those who merely hear without responding deceive themselves. But those who build their lives on His words will stand secure.
Applying Matthew 7:24
Here are some ways we can apply the wisdom of Matthew 7:24 today:
- Evaluate your foundation. Carefully examine what your life is built on. Are you merely a hearer of Jesus’ words or also a doer?
- Study the Sermon on the Mount. Read through Matthew 5-7. Ask God to show you areas of your life and thinking that need realignment with Jesus’ teaching.
- Prioritize obedience. Resolve to not just admire Jesus’ words but actively obey them. His teachings should transform how you think, speak, and act.
- Repent and believe. If you recognize areas of disobedience, repent. Embrace Christ’s forgiveness. Then ask for grace to follow Him in new patterns of living.
- Pursue stability. In any area of weakness or sin, confess it and seek help. Address cracks in your foundation before they lead to collapse.
Applying Matthew 7:24 requires resolving to hear and obey Jesus’ words. This leads to security and stability as we build our lives on Him – the only sure foundation that remains when storms arise.
Conclusion
Matthew 7:24 opens the parable of the wise and foolish builders by declaring that everyone who hears Jesus’ words and puts them into practice is like a wise man building on rock. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of obedience to Jesus’ teaching in order to build a stable life that endures. Storms will inevitably come, but a life founded on God’s truth will stand secure. Matthew 7:24 calls all believers to carefully examine if they are merely hearing Christ’s words, or actually living by them through the empowering grace of God.
Summary of Key Points
- Matthew 7:24 begins the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
- It falls within Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
- The rock represents obedience to Jesus’ words
- The sand represents disobedience and lack of foundation
- Storms picture trials that test our foundation
- Jesus calls for obedience, not just hearing
- True salvation produces good works
- We must evaluate and strengthen our foundation in Christ
In Matthew 7:24, Jesus issues a timeless call to build our lives upon His words of truth and wisdom. This firm foundation will uphold us through any storm, test, or trial. May we be doers of the word and not hearers only!