Matthew 7 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered
A response and reply to the notes on Matthew 7 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).
King James Version
SAB comment
My comment
1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
So Jesus talks here about a particular form of judgment. Even though not all judgment is wrong, it does not follow that therefore all judgment is right. Jesus talks here about a particular form of judgment that is not right. In this verse the meaning of “judge” is casting the deeds of my fellowmen in their worst light. Interpreting their deeds and words in the worst sense possible.John Gill writes:
This is not to be understood of any sort of judgment; ... but of rash judgment, interpreting men's words and deeds to the worst sense, and censuring them in a very severe manner; even passing sentence on them, with respect to their eternal state and condition.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Avoid hypocrisy. Consider your own faults rather than criticizing others.
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Jehovah's Witnesses are told that it is OK to be hide the truth when speaking to those who are not entitled to it (all nonJWs). They call this the Theocratic Warfare Stategy. This verse is used to justify their deceit.
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Mark Twain said there are "upwards of a thousand lies" in the Bible. But this is probably the biggest. How many desperate, frightened, broken-hearted parents have watched their children die while begging God to help?
(7:7-8) "Seek, and ye shall find."
Jesus says that "he who seeketh findeth." But in Luke (13:24) he says that "many ... will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." And Proverbs (1:28) quotes God as saying that they "shall call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me."
Can God be found?
What must you do to be saved?
BOM: 2 Nephi 9:42, 3 Nephi 27:29
No, the author of the SAB seems to have forgotten the previous chapter already. In chapter 6:10 Jesus has first established the general principle: Thy will be done. God's will be done. Our wants and our needs are subordinate to that. We do not pray: “Our will be done.”
On seeking and finding God, see Luke 11:9 and Luke 13:24.
The author of the SAB also has a long list of things that supposedly must be done. But the key phrase (Acts 16:31) is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Believing is not a work, it is receiving and accepting God's gift.
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
How should nonbelievers be treated?
13 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:
Jesus says that most people will go to hell. He seems to be OK with that.
Theologikos: Christians: Stop quoting the bible out of context!
BOM: 2 Nephi 31:9, 31:18, 31:19, 33:9; Jacob 6:11; 3 Nephi 27:32
Is Jesus OK with people refusing to listen to him as the author of the SAB has it? Why didn't he refer to chapter 23:37:And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus is “OK with that”??? The man who came to earth to take our punishments upon us so that:O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Those who fail to bear "good fruit" will be "hewn down, and cast into the fire."
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 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.
According to Jesus, calling on his name is not enough to get you into heaven. Both Peter and Paul disagree saying, "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21, Rom.10:13).
Will those who call on the Lord be delivered?
Who can cast out devils in the name of Jesus?
What must you do to be saved?
(7:23) BOM: Mosiah 26:27
The words of Peter (Acts 2:21) and Paul (Rom. 10:13) cannot be compared with this verse as they say very different things. Both Peter and Paul say “Call upon the name of the Lord.” That is very different from “saying Lord, Lord.” Calling upon the Lord is as John Gill writes:
shall believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with the heart, and shall confess him with the mouth, and shall worship him in Spirit and in truth, and submit to all his ordinances and commands; for invocation of the Lord includes the whole of worship, internal and external:
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 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:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
But in John (7:24) Jesus says we should "judge righteous judgment." And Paul (1 Cor.2:15, 5:12-13, 6:2-3) tells Christians to judge everyone -- believers, non-believers, even the angels are to be judged by "the saints."
To judge or not to judge
What must you do to be saved?