Matthew 25:12

KJV

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he answered {G611} and said {G2036}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, I know {G1492} you {G5209} not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But he answered, `Indeed! I tell you, I don't know you!'

Berean Standard Bible

But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’

American Standard Version

But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:12 records the Bridegroom's definitive and devastating response to the foolish virgins, "Verily I say unto you, I know you not." This pivotal moment in the parable of the ten virgins underscores the critical necessity of genuine spiritual preparedness and an authentic, active relationship with Christ for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven. It serves as a solemn warning against superficial faith or delayed obedience, highlighting the finality of missed opportunity when the Lord returns.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of the parable of the ten virgins, found in [Matthew 25:1-13](/matthew/25-1-13 "The Parable of the Ten Virgins"). This parable is the first of three parables in [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of the Kingdom") (the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and goats), all of which illustrate the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven and the importance of readiness for the return of the Son of Man. These parables follow directly from Jesus' extensive Olivet Discourse in [Matthew 24](/matthew/24 "Matthew 24 - The Olivet Discourse"), which details the signs of the end times and the necessity of vigilance. The narrative flow of the parable sees ten virgins, symbolizing those awaiting the Bridegroom (Christ), taking their lamps. Five are wise and bring extra oil, while five are foolish and do not. When the Bridegroom is delayed, all sleep. At midnight, a cry announces His arrival. The foolish virgins, whose lamps are going out, attempt to acquire oil, but while they are away, the Bridegroom arrives, and only the prepared virgins enter the wedding feast. The door is then shut, leading to the desperate plea of the foolish virgins and the Bridegroom's stark rejection in [Matthew 25:12](/matthew/25-12 "Matthew 25:12 - I Know You Not").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable draws heavily on ancient Jewish wedding customs. A typical wedding involved the groom, accompanied by his friends, leaving his home at night to go to the bride's house. From there, he would escort her and her bridal party (often including virgins or bridesmaids carrying lamps) back to his own home for the wedding feast. This procession often took place after dark, necessitating lamps or torches. The "oil" for the lamps was a practical necessity, and its absence meant the lamp could not fulfill its purpose. Once the wedding feast began and the door was shut, it was customary for no one else to be admitted, signifying the exclusivity and finality of the celebration. This cultural practice provides a vivid backdrop for Jesus' teaching on preparedness, vigilance, and the definitive nature of the eschatological judgment. The unexpected timing of the Bridegroom's arrival also resonated with the Jewish expectation of the Messiah's coming, which was often understood to be sudden and unannounced.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 25:12](/matthew/25-12 "Matthew 25:12 - I Know You Not") powerfully contributes to several major theological and narrative themes within the chapter and the broader Gospel. The foremost theme is **Preparedness and Vigilance** for the Lord's return, emphasizing that true readiness involves more than outward appearance; it requires an inner, sustained state of grace or active faith, symbolized by the "oil." This theme is echoed throughout Jesus' eschatological discourse, such as in [Matthew 24:42-44](/matthew/24-42-44 "Watch Therefore"). A second crucial theme is the **Finality of Missed Opportunity and Judgment**. The "shut door" and the Bridegroom's refusal signify a point of no return, where the time for preparation has passed, and a definitive judgment is rendered based on one's state of readiness. This highlights the seriousness of the call to repentance and faith in the present. Finally, the phrase "I know you not" underscores the theme of **Authentic Relationship** with Christ. It reveals that merely professing belief or being in the vicinity of the Kingdom is insufficient; what is required is a genuine, personal, and recognized relationship with the Bridegroom, a theme Jesus also addresses in [Matthew 7:21-23](/matthew/7-21-23 "Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** This word, transliterated from the Hebrew "amen," signifies truth, certainty, and solemn affirmation. When Jesus uses "Verily I say unto you" (often doubled as "Verily, verily"), it serves to emphasize the absolute truth and authority of His following statement, demanding the listener's full attention and belief. Here, it underscores the gravity and unchangeable nature of the Bridegroom's declaration.
* **Know (Greek, _eídō'_):** The Greek verb _eídō_ (often used in the perfect tense with a present meaning) implies a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge, not merely intellectual recognition or casual acquaintance. It suggests a knowledge born of relationship and communion. In this context, the Bridegroom's statement "I know you not" is a profound declaration of a complete lack of such a personal, saving relationship, despite the foolish virgins' expectation of entry. It's not that He doesn't recognize their faces, but that they are strangers to Him in the most crucial, relational sense.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he answered and said,"**: This phrase marks the Bridegroom's direct and authoritative response to the foolish virgins' desperate plea for entry. It signifies a moment of definitive judgment, where the expected welcome is replaced by a stark, unyielding declaration. The Bridegroom, representing Christ, holds the ultimate authority to determine who enters the feast.
* **"Verily I say unto you,"**: This is a solemn, emphatic declaration, a characteristic phrase of Jesus, highlighting the absolute truth and gravity of what is about to be spoken. It prepares the listeners for a statement of profound significance and finality, leaving no room for doubt or negotiation.
* **"I know you not."**: This is the devastating core of the verse. It is not a statement of intellectual ignorance but a profound rejection based on a lack of intimate, personal relationship. Despite their presence at the door and their outward association with the wedding party, the foolish virgins had no true, saving connection with the Bridegroom. This declaration signifies their exclusion from the joyous feast and, by extension, from the Kingdom of Heaven.

#### Literary Devices
The verse, as the culmination of the parable, employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The entire narrative is a **Parable**, a concise, didactic story that uses a familiar scenario (a wedding) to convey a profound spiritual truth about the Kingdom of Heaven and the Second Coming of Christ. **Symbolism** is pervasive: the Bridegroom symbolizes Christ, the virgins represent those awaiting His return, the lamps symbolize outward profession or the appearance of faith, and the oil symbolizes genuine spiritual preparedness—whether interpreted as the Holy Spirit, active faith, or good works born of a true relationship with God. The "shut door" is a powerful **Symbol** of the finality of judgment and the irreversible nature of missed opportunity. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience understands the foolish virgins' impending doom even as they remain oblivious until the very last moment. The Bridegroom's statement "I know you not" functions as a **Climax** and an **Anagnorisis** (recognition or discovery) for the foolish virgins, as they are confronted with the true nature of their unpreparedness and the consequences of their superficiality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:12 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of salvation, judgment, and divine relationship. It challenges any notion of automatic entry into God's Kingdom based on mere outward association or a superficial profession of faith. The Bridegroom's declaration, "I know you not," echoes the Old Testament concept of God's covenantal "knowing" of His people, which implies intimacy, election, and fidelity. For the foolish virgins, this lack of "knowing" signifies that they were never truly in a saving relationship with the Bridegroom. This verse underscores the reality that salvation is not merely intellectual assent but requires a transformative, personal, and ongoing relationship with Christ, characterized by genuine preparedness and active spiritual vigilance. It serves as a stark reminder of the eschatological reality of a final judgment where only those truly known by the Lord will be welcomed into His eternal presence.

* [Matthew 7:21-23](/matthew/7-21-23 "Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")
* [Luke 13:25-27](/luke/13-25-27 "The Narrow Door")
* [2 Timothy 2:19](/2_timothy/2-19 "The Lord Knows Those Who Are His")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:12 serves as a sobering mirror, prompting deep introspection into the authenticity and depth of our relationship with Christ. The parable's emphasis on "oil" challenges us to consider what truly fuels our spiritual lives. Is it a superficial adherence to religious practices, or is it a vibrant, ongoing communion with the Holy Spirit, expressed through active faith, obedience, and love? The Bridegroom's rejection of the foolish virgins underscores that the time for preparation is now, in this life, before the Lord's unexpected return. We are called to live with a constant sense of spiritual readiness, cultivating an intimate "knowing" of Christ through prayer, studying His Word, and living out His commands. This "knowing" is reciprocal; as we seek to know Him, He acknowledges us as His own. The shut door reminds us that opportunities are not infinite, and presumption regarding God's grace can lead to eternal regret. Our eternal destiny hinges on whether we are truly known by Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me to "know" Christ experientially, beyond intellectual assent, in my daily life?**
* **How does the "oil" in the parable relate to my own spiritual preparedness? What practical steps can I take to ensure my "lamp" is always burning brightly?**
* **Am I living with a sense of urgency and vigilance regarding Christ's return, or am I complacent?**
* **In what ways might I be relying on outward appearances or past spiritual experiences rather than a genuine, ongoing relationship with Jesus?**

### FAQ

**What does "I know you not" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "I know you not" (Greek: _ouk oida hymas_) is not a statement of intellectual ignorance, as if the Bridegroom literally didn't recognize their faces. Instead, it is a profound declaration of a lack of *personal, intimate, and saving relationship*. In biblical terms, "to know" often implies a deep, covenantal bond, a relationship of intimacy and trust, as seen in passages like [Genesis 4:1](/genesis/4-1 "Adam Knew Eve") where it refers to marital intimacy, or in [Jeremiah 24:7](/jeremiah/24-7 "I Will Give Them a Heart to Know Me") where God promises to give His people a heart to know Him. The Bridegroom's statement means that despite their outward association with the wedding party and their expectation of entry, the foolish virgins never truly entered into a genuine, living, and transformative relationship with Him. They were strangers in the most crucial, spiritual sense, and therefore, they could not participate in the intimate joy of the wedding feast.

**Is there a "second chance" after this "door is shut" in the parable?**

Answer: The parable, particularly the imagery of the "shut door" and the Bridegroom's definitive "I know you not," strongly conveys the **finality** of the moment of judgment. Once the Bridegroom arrives and those who are ready enter, the opportunity for preparation and entry is irrevocably closed. While the Bible emphasizes God's boundless grace and mercy throughout our lives, this parable serves as a solemn warning against procrastination, spiritual complacency, and the presumption that there will always be more time to get ready. It underscores the urgency of responding to Christ's call *now*, in this present life, and maintaining a state of spiritual vigilance. The parable's primary message is a call to immediate and sustained preparedness, indicating that there is a point of no return when the Lord returns in judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The parable of the ten virgins, culminating in the Bridegroom's stark declaration in [Matthew 25:12](/matthew/25-12 "Matthew 25:12 - I Know You Not"), finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself as the promised Bridegroom and returning King. He is the one who will come unexpectedly, and His "knowing" is salvific. The "oil" of preparedness, which the foolish virgins lacked, points to the essential work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, a Spirit poured out by Christ Himself ([Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "The Holy Spirit Poured Out")). True entry into the Kingdom of Heaven is not based on mere outward profession or proximity to the church, but on an authentic, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the "door" through whom one must enter ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "Jesus is the Door")), and only those who are "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "In Christ, a New Creation")) and clothed in His righteousness through faith ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Righteousness Through Faith in Christ")) will be recognized as His own. The solemn warning of [Matthew 25:12](/matthew/25-12 "Matthew 25:12 - I Know You Not") thus underscores the absolute necessity of a saving relationship with Jesus, the Lamb of God, who alone grants access to the eternal wedding feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb ([Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 8:3

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

2 Timothy 2:19

¶ Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

John 10:27

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Luke 13:26

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

Luke 13:30

And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

John 9:31

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

Psalms 5:5

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.