Matthew 7:12-23

From Richard Mast

A – 12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

B – 13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

C – 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

D – 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits.

E – 16 Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?

F – 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit,
but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

E’ – 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

D’ – 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

C’ – 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

B’ – 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’

A’ – 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Reasoning:
A – The law of Christ embodies the law and the prophets.  A’ – Those who have fallen short of the law of Christ are called lawless.
B – Many go in the wide gate.  B’ – Many think they are in the narrow way.
C – The narrow way that leads to life.  C’ – Is found by he who does the will of the Father.
D – Beware of false prophets… check their fruit.  D’ – You will know them by their fruits.
E – Look for good fruit.  E’ – Without it the tree is destroyed.
F – Very clearly Good tree – good fruit.  Bad tree – bad fruit.

One thought on “Matthew 7:12-23”

  1. Very interesting. I might add that within that broader chiasmus are smaller ones.

    Verses 12 and 13 appear to be so as well. Look at the phrases within the asterisks below.

    12 Therefore, whatever you want *men to do to you, [you] do also to them*, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

    B – 13 “Enter by the *narrow gate; for wide is the gate* and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

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