v1-2: Judgment is God's prerogative; Rom 14.4; 1 Cor 4.4-5. In particular, the Lord condemns hypocrisy, which is prominent in first century Judaism. The words fit with 5.7; the merciful show mercy, and receive mercy; but those who are merciless receive no mercy, James 2.13.

Instead of criticising or judging, it is better to find things to praise and commend.

v3-4: Recognise our own faults first, before putting others right. It is too easy to criticise faults in others, whilst justifying the same faults in ourselves. The lesson is clear; we are often blind to glaring faults in our own lives. ‘Do not mend your neighbour’s fence before looking to your own.’ (Tanzanian Proverb)

v5: It is good to help others, but we do need to be conscious of our own faults. We should help others in an attitude of humility, Gal 6.1.

v6: After urging His followers not to judge others, Christ reminds them to exercise discernment. We are not to be naive.

Dogs and pigs, Prov 9.7-8; 23.9; semi-wild animals in Israel, not domesticated. They are unclean animals, and refer to unbelievers, but having a split hoof, giving an appearance of religion, but without the reality.

Pearls; holy things, words of spiritual quality, and praise to God. Such things are despised by unbelievers, Luke 10.11; Acts 13.46; the lesson is that precious things should not be shared with unbelievers.

v7-11: Persistence in prayer proves we care; we know that God cares, so we must seek to be like Him. Persistence in prayer does not deny the truth of 6.8, that the Father knows the things we need before we ask. The promise here is that He will give us good gifts, as He honours our persistence.

v12: Our expectation is that God will give good things to us; we should do good to others.

v13-14: The narrow gate, to be sought carefully. It is easily missed or neglected or despised by men. Few find the way to life. We note that the broad way, easily found and popular, leads to destruction.

v15-23: Identifying false religion; the Lord makes a distinction between good and bad; Gal 5.16-25.

v15: False prophets, having the appearance of shepherds, apparently orthodox, but the reality is far different.

Shepherds wore a sheep-wool jacket, with wool inside, leather outside. Thus the ravenous wolves appear orthodox, in sheep's clothing. But wolves are natural enemies of sheep, coming only to kill and to destroy, John 10.10.

Note that false prophets are deceivers. Their father is Satan the master deceiver, Acts 20.29-30; 2 Cor 11.4; 1 John 2.19; Jude 4; Rev 12.9. We therefore need to be discerning, making a distinction between truth and error. We must not accept everything just because it appears to be right; test the spirits.

v16: The ultimate test; false prophets are manifested by their fruits, 1 John 4.1-3. We test their teaching and their conduct, and listen to their disciples. True teaching produces integrity and righteousness, obedience and devotion; there is doctrine that is according to godliness. We must therefore promote godliness, not just attack sins.

v17-18: Christ's simple, but powerful, application; a good tree bears good fruit, and cannot bear bad fruit; a bad tree bears bad fruit, and cannot bear good fruit.

v19: Judgment in hell; false prophets do not belong to Christ, and have no part in Him.

v20: We can know them, we have a responsibility to make this distinction, carefully using the guidance of the Lord. It seems clear that Christ Himself made this sort of judgment.

v21-23: Continuing the theme of false prophets; this is relevant in Jesus' day, not just theoretical teaching. There are, He says, many who prophesy, who cast out demons, who do wonders claiming to work in His Name, but who will be cast out themselves. Yet these are the very things which are used to give honour to prophets; we must therefore look beyond the dramatic and the miraculous.

The false prophets even say, "Lord, Lord," false words, again giving an appearance of orthodoxy. They do not do the will of the Father; in contrast to the Lord Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled His Father's will, as well as casting out demons and performing miracles. Whilst miracles may not always be the Father's will, obedience certainly is.

The false prophets claim to know Christ, but the condemnation is from His lips, "I never knew you." In reality there are strangers to Christ, and are described as those who practice lawlessness.

v24-27: The Lord's words demand a response from His hearers; how will we live, in the light of what He says? The final illustration is a closing challenge, rather than a summary.

The wise man chooses the right way, James 1.5; contrast Luke 12.20, "you fool;" obedience in the test of faith.

The alternative is disaster, for the foolish man makes the wrong choice. We need to know the will of Christ, and do it.

v28-29: Jesus is set apart, for He teaches with authority. The teachers of the day have no authority, Mark 1.22, and refer constantly to other Rabbis' interpretations. In contrast, Jesus says, "I tell you the truth...but I tell you...I tell you."