Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

And {G2532} then {G5119} will I profess {G3670} unto them {G846},{G3754} I never {G3763} knew {G1097} you {G5209}: depart {G672} from {G575} me {G1700}, ye that work {G2038} iniquity {G458}.

Then I will tell them to their faces, `I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!'

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:23 is a solemn and critical warning delivered by Jesus Christ at the conclusion of His profound Sermon on the Mount. This verse reveals the ultimate rejection of those who outwardly profess faith or perform religious acts but lack a genuine, obedient relationship with Him.

Context

This verse comes at the climax of a section where Jesus warns against spiritual deception and the dangers of a superficial faith. Following His teachings on discerning false prophets by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20), Jesus declares that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. Instead, only those who "do the will of my Father which is in heaven" will be admitted (Matthew 7:21). He then describes a scene where many will claim to have performed mighty works in His name—prophesying, casting out demons, and doing wonders—only to be met with the shocking pronouncement of Matthew 7:23.

Key Themes

  • True Discipleship vs. False Profession: The verse sharply distinguishes between outward religious activity and an authentic, transformative relationship with Christ. It emphasizes that actions, or the lack thereof, reveal the true state of one's heart and allegiance.
  • The Nature of Final Judgment: This is a powerful depiction of the ultimate divine judgment, where Jesus Himself is the judge. It underscores the severity of being found "unknown" by God, indicating a lack of saving grace.
  • The Importance of Obedience: The phrase "ye that work iniquity" directly contrasts with "doing the will of my Father." True faith is demonstrated by a life of obedience to God's commands, not just by miraculous deeds or verbal declarations.
  • Relationship with Christ: The core of the rejection lies in "I never knew you." This implies a lack of intimate, personal fellowship and union, not just intellectual acquaintance. Salvation is about a knowing relationship, not just knowing about Him.

Linguistic Insights

  • "I never knew you" (Greek: oudenpote egnōn hymas - οὐδέποτε ἔγνων ὑμᾶς): The Greek verb ginosko (γνώσκω), translated "knew," signifies a deep, experiential, and intimate knowledge, akin to the knowledge between a husband and wife. It's far more than mere intellectual recognition. Jesus is saying He never had a saving, personal relationship with these individuals. This stands in contrast to the divine knowledge God has of His own, as seen in 2 Timothy 2:19.
  • "ye that work iniquity" (Greek: ergazomenoi ten anomian - ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν): This phrase literally means "workers of lawlessness." Anomia refers to a state of being without law, or actively rebelling against God's moral standards. It describes a lifestyle characterized by sin and disregard for God's will, despite any outward religious performance. This is not about isolated sins but a pattern of life that is contrary to God's righteousness, even if cloaked in religious garb. 1 John 3:4 states that "sin is lawlessness."

Practical Application

Matthew 7:23 serves as a profound call to self-examination for all who claim to follow Christ. It challenges believers to move beyond superficial religiosity and ensure their faith is genuine, rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus, and evidenced by a life of obedience to His teachings. It warns against relying on outward acts, spiritual gifts, or mere verbal profession as guarantees of salvation. The true test is whether one is truly "known" by Christ through a life lived in accordance with His will. This verse urges a sincere commitment to obeying Jesus as Lord, rather than simply acknowledging Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 25:41

    Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

  • Psalms 6:8

    ¶ Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

  • Luke 13:25

    When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

  • Luke 13:27

    But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all [ye] workers of iniquity.

  • Matthew 25:12

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

  • John 10:14

    I am the good shepherd, and know my [sheep], and am known of mine.

  • Revelation 22:15

    For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
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