And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

MATTHEW 7:27KJV
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Matthew 7:27 (KJV)

What does Matthew 7:27 mean?

Matthew 7:27 describes how a house collapses with a great crash when heavy rain, rising floods, and strong winds strike it, because it does not have a solid foundation. This verse uses the image of a destroyed house to show the consequences of not building one’s life on a firm base.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd near the end of the Sermon on the Mount. He has just compared wise and foolish builders, using the story to highlight the importance of putting his teachings into practice. The verse paints a vivid picture of disaster to warn listeners about the real danger of ignoring his words.

The Greek behind Matthew 7:27

  • The word for "floods" is ποταμοί (potamoi), which can mean rivers or torrents. Here, it emphasizes overwhelming forces that threaten stability.
  • The phrase "great was the fall of it" uses μέγας (megas) for "great" and πτῶσις (ptōsis) for "fall," stressing not just collapse, but a total and disastrous ruin. This underlines the seriousness of the warning.

Why Matthew 7:27 matters

  • Matthew 7:27 clears up that simply hearing Jesus’ words is not enough; action is required to withstand life’s challenges.
  • The verse ties directly to the earlier illustration of the wise builder, making the contrast between wisdom and foolishness unmistakable.
  • By ending the teaching with such a dramatic image, Jesus impresses on his listeners the real consequences of ignoring his message, connecting the story to everyday choices.

Where else these words appear

“rain” Greek G1028 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 7:25 And 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.

“fall” Greek G4431 · used in 2 verses

  • Luke 2:34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

“blew” Greek G4154 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 7:25 And 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.
  • John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
  • Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.

“upon” Greek G4350 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
  • John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
  • Romans 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;