Section 7:24–29

The wise house builder and the foolish house builder

In this section, Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount. He told a parable about a wise builder and a foolish builder. These two people represent two kinds of people: those who follow Jesus by doing what he tells them, and those who do not.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The parable about two house builders
-or-
Build your life on a solid foundation

Paragraph 7:24–27

7:24a

Therefore: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Therefore introduces the final part of the Sermon on the Mount (5:3–7:27). This final part is a parable. In this parable, Jesus encouraged people to obey what he has said.

Here are some other ways to introduce this final section:

So then (Good News Translation)
-or-
In conclusion
-or-
then (English Standard Version)

everyone who hears these words of Mine: The phrase these words of Mine refers to the teaching in 5:3–7:23.

In some languages a literal translation would refer only to those who physically heard Jesus speak. If that is true in your language, you may want to use a more general expression for these words of Mine. For example:

everyone who hears my teachings
-or-
all those who hear what I have said

7:24b

acts on them: The phrase acts on them refers to obeying Jesus’ teachings.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

puts them into practice (New International Version)
-or-
obeys them (Good News Translation)

7:24c

is like a wise man: The phrase a wise man refers to a man who has good sense and is thoughtful. It refers to a man who makes good decisions in day-to-day living. It is the opposite of a stupid man.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

sensible man (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
thinking man
-or-
intelligent man

who built his house on the rock: In this context, the word rock refers to bedrock. It is rock that is often level with the ground or just under the ground and covers a wide area. It does not refer to a boulder.

In some areas of the world, bedrock does not exist. Or people do not build their houses on bedrock. If that is true in your area, you may want to explain what Jesus meant. For example:

who built his house on rock ⌊to make it strong⌋

-or-

who built his house on a strong foundation stone

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