Matthew 7:25
What does Matthew 7:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 7:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 7:25 means
This verse describes the trials faced by the wise builder's house: overwhelming 'rain,' 'floods,' and 'winds' that 'beat upon' it. These elements symbolize the inevitable difficulties, temptations, persecutions, or crises that come upon every life. However, because the house was 'founded upon the rock'—meaning built upon the firm foundation of Christ's teachings and obedience to them—it stood strong and 'fell not.' This illustrates the enduring stability and resilience of a life genuinely submitted to Jesus' words in the face of adversity.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon the rock.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the rain came down and there was a rush of waters and the winds were driving against that house, but it was not moved; because it was based on the rock.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the rain did descend, and the streams came, and the winds blew, and they beat on that house, and it fell not, for it had been founded on the rock.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and the rain came down, and the streams came, and the winds blew and fell upon that house, and it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock.
Context
This verse describes the testing of the wise man's house, showing the inevitability of life's trials and the strength of a foundation built on obedience. It provides the positive outcome of adherence to Jesus' words, directly contrasting with the imminent description of the foolish builder's fate. This narrative tension powerfully underscores the crucial difference that foundational obedience makes when challenges inevitably arise in life.
v.24Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon the rock:
v.25This passage
v.26And every one that heareth these words of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 2:7
rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
- 1 Peter 1:5
who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
- Acts 14:22
confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.
- Ephesians 3:17
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
- Malachi 3:3
and he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.
- Psalms 92:13
They are planted in the house of Jehovah; They shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 7
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 7.
Devotionals
Devotional
Small Faith, Real Faith
A mustard seed is enough. Not a mountain of certainty — a seed of trust.
Devotional
The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
Jesus does not promise the absence of burden. He offers an exchange.
Devotional
Consider the Lilies
Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Authority
Authority in the Bible refers to the divinely instituted right to command and influence, often reflecting God's sovereign rule and delegation to human leaders.
Topic
Bible Verses About Discernment
Discernment is the ability to judge well, to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, and truth and falsehood.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of God's character in believers through the Holy Spirit's work
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.
Verses for
Bible Verses for When You Can't Sleep Because of Anxious Thoughts
Verses to read in bed when your mind won't stop.