And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
We have here the conclusion of this long and excellent sermon, the scope of which is to show the indispensable necessity of obedience to the commands of Christ; this is designed to clench the nail, that it might fix in a sure place: he speaks this to his disciples, that sat at his feet whenever he preached, and followed him wherever he went.
Commenting on Matthew 7:21-29
CONCLUSION AND EFFECT OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT. (Mat. 7:13-29) Enter ye in at the strait gate--as if hardly wide enough to admit one at all. This expresses the difficulty of the first right step in religion, involving, as it does, a triumph over all our natural inclinations.
Commenting on Matthew 7:13-29
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine--in the attitude of discipleship. and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand--denoting a loose foundation--that of an empty profession and mere external services.