Verse 1-2 are more clearly stated in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible: “Now these are the words which Jesus taught his disciples that they should say unto the people. Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” We are not to judge unrighteously, but we are to judge righteously. This is a very difficult challenge, since we, in most cases, do not understand the situations that others are in. In the church, we should leave judgment to the Lord's judges: the Bishop, the Stake President, the Area Authorities, the General Authorities, and the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. We clearly also need to remember that the criteria that we use to judge others will be used to judge us. In other words, we need to forgive all people and allow the judgments of the church and the law of the land to judge. Mistakes may be made, but those who make them will be held accountable. “Let it alone.”
Verses 3-5 focus on an age old problem of seeing and judging others of their problems and ignoring the problems and challenges that we have; some which are much larger or more serious than the those of others. This also continues or expands the topic of judging one another and adding another aspect to it, that of having other or similar problems that are much greater than the ones that we are condemning in others. Our first priority needs to be improving and repenting in our own lives and then we may be more justified in helping others overcome challenges in their lives.
Verse 6 emphasizes the need to be careful what we teach to whom. We are taught to teach the basics—faith, repentance, baptism, and the receipt of the Holy Ghost. These are the milk. We should not teach the pearls or the meat, those things that are sacred and holy, except to those who are worthy and ready to learn. This applies especially to the temple. We need to be very careful what we say about the temple, outside of the temple. In most cases, those who are not ready for the pearls or the meat will publicize and mock these sacred principles, doctrines and teachings.
Verses 7-8 emphasize the powerful promise of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. If we ask, it will be given to us; if seek, we shall find; and if we knock, it shall be opened unto us. This is such a simple principle, but so often we forgot to apply this powerful simple promise in our lives. In verse 8, the message is repeated, ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, and knock and it shall be opened to you. The Savior used repetition for emphasis. I think that it is interesting in English that each letter in ASK stands for Ask, Seek, and Knock. May we each apply this principle more and more each day. We also know that “given,” the “finding,” and the “opening” will be in the Lord's time. Let us not only ask more, but trust more and be patient more in receiving answers.
Verses 9-11 discuss a parable of how we, as fallible mortals, give good gifts to our children when they ask; would not our Heavenly Father, who is perfect, give the exactly right gift to those who ask Him. Isn't amazing how the Savior took everyday things and experiences and then compared them to His Heavenly Father and Himself to illustrate very basic and wonderful principles. The importance of asking is so basic that we always need to remember to do it constantly and regularly.
Verse 12, the golden rule says it all: “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.” Treat others as you want to be treated. It is basic, and it is true doctrine.
Verses 13-14 focus on one of the great principles of the Lord's Church—that the Church of God must be found. Wide is the gate and broad is the way, or in other words, the popular and easy way is not the Lord's way. It is the way that leads to destruction, and many are there that go there, because it is easy and does not require great effort. We are commanded to enter in at the strait gate. Implied here is that the strait gate is strait and the narrow way narrow and requires us to be obedient to God and not to man. This path leads to eternal life and it must be sought after, found, and lived each day. The broad way is Babylon and the narrow way leads to Zion.
Verses 15-20 focus on what are the signs of a true prophet. In verse 15 the Lord warns us to beware of false prophets, who are inwardly not true and only want to devour us and our property—they are ravenous wolves. How shall we know a prophet? It is by their fruits. The Greek word for know in verse 16 means recognize or detect. Then the Savior asks if men gather grapes of thorns or figs of thistle? The obvious answer is no. Grapes grow on vines and figs on fig trees. Good trees bring forth good fruit. The Greek word for good means: “beautiful or precious fruit without blemish.” The corrupt (Greek—decayed, rotten, stale) tree brings forth evil (bad, spoiled, or degenerate) fruit. The Lord then declares that a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit and the corrupt tree does not bring forth good fruit. The Lord then promises that every tree that does not bring forth good fruit will be hewn down and cast into the fire. Those who are evil will be made known and they will self destruct. Therefore, we can know prophets by their fruits.
Verse 21 is a classic in that it lays down more doctrine of Christ. It is not what we say that will get us into the Kingdom of Heaven; but it is what we do, and what we do must be that we do the will of Heavenly Father. This is a very challenging thing. We first need to keep His commandments, be in tune with the Holy Ghost, actively seek to know the will of our Heavenly Father, and then do that the will of Heavenly Father. This is a 24/7 assignment and requires constant vigilance.
Verses 22-23 discuss the fact that at the time of judgment, “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?” Then comes the pronouncement of the Savior: “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Most often we think that this applies to other people, not to us or to our church. In reality, it means a couple of things. First, it applies to those people who do the above mentioned works in the name of the Father and/or Son and who are not Their authorized servants; i.e., they do not hold His priesthood. It also may apply to those, who hold the Priesthood of God, but are not worthy to use it. We need to be very careful how we use the name of the Father and the Son, lest we “take the name of the Lord in vain.”
Verses 24-27 are the story of the man who builds his house on the rock or on the sand, depending on whether the man hears, understands and does the sayings of the Savior. There are three steps here; we must first hear the Savior's sayings, then understand what we should do, and then do it. If we do all three steps then we build our home on the the rock. The Savior is also often called the Rock and its use here is not coincidental. When we hear, understand, and do, then we are literally building our lives on the Savior and no matter what comes we are sustained by Him. However, if we do not hear, understand, or do, then we are like the foolish man that builds his house on the sand. When the trials, tribulations, and challenges come, we fall because we are not build on the principles and doctrines of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Verses 28-29 talk about the effect that Jesus' teachings had on the Jews. They were astonished at His doctrine. The doctrine of the Gospel feels so right and the people at the time of the Savior were intellectually and spiritually touched by the doctrine. Since He was the Son of God, they also felt that He taught with authority, which He did. The whole experience here was so different from the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadduces and the Sanhedrin, who did not teach with spiritual authority but with worldly authority. He clearly was different and they felt it.
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