New International VersionThen I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
New Living TranslationBut I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
English Standard VersionAnd then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Berean Standard BibleThen I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
Berean Literal BibleAnd then I will declare unto them, 'I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.'
King James BibleAnd then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
New King James VersionAnd then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
New American Standard BibleAnd then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; LEAVE ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
NASB 1995“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
NASB 1977“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
Legacy Standard BibleAnd then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’
Amplified BibleAnd then I will declare to them publicly, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME [you are banished from My presence], YOU WHO ACT WICKEDLY [disregarding My commands].’
Christian Standard BibleThen I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers! ’
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen I will announce to them, I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’
American Standard VersionAnd then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Contemporary English VersionBut I will tell them, "I will have nothing to do with you! Get out of my sight, you evil people!"
English Revised VersionAnd then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen I will tell them publicly, 'I've never known you. Get away from me, you evil people.'
Good News TranslationThen I will say to them, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!'
International Standard VersionThen I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who practice evil!'"
NET BibleThen I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!'
New Heart English BibleAnd then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.'
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Weymouth New Testament"And then I will tell them plainly, "'I never knew you: begone from me, you doers of wickedness.' Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’
World English BibleThen I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd then I will acknowledge to them, that—I never knew you, depart from Me you who are working lawlessness.
Berean Literal BibleAnd then I will declare unto them, 'I never knew you; depart you from Me, those working lawlessness.'
Young's Literal Translation and then I will acknowledge to them, that -- I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd then shall I confess to them that I never knew you. Go away from me, ye working iniquity. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd then will I disclose to them: ‘I have never known you. Depart from me, you workers of iniquity.’
New American BibleThen I will declare to them solemnly, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers.’
New Revised Standard VersionThen I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.’ Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen I will declare to them, I have never known you; keep away from me, O you that work iniquity.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd then I will confess to them, 'I have never known you, remove yourselves far from me, you workers of evil.' NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
Godbey New Testament
Then I will confess unto them that I never knew you: depart from me, ye who work iniquity.
Haweis New Testament
And then will I profess unto them, that I never knew you: depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.
Mace New Testament
and then will I make this declaration to them: I never knew you: depart from me ye that have practised iniquity.
Weymouth New Testament
"And then I will tell them plainly, "'I never knew you: begone from me, you doers of wickedness.'
Worrell New Testament
And then will I confess to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, ye who work iniquity.
Worsley New Testament
I never owned you, depart from me, ye workers of iniquity.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context A Tree and its Fruit… 22Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23ThenI will tell them plainly,‘I never knewyou;departfromMe,youworkersof lawlessness!’24Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.…
Cross References Luke 13:25-27After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ / Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ / And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’
Matthew 25:11-12Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Lord, lord, open the door for us!’ / But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
Matthew 25:41Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
1 John 2:4If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.
James 2:14-17What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? / Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? ...
2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
John 10:14I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
John 15:6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Titus 1:16They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.
Revelation 3:1“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
Revelation 20:12-15And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. / Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death—the lake of fire. ...
Ezekiel 33:31-32So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain. / Indeed, you are to them like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice, who skillfully plays an instrument. They hear your words but do not put them into practice.
Isaiah 29:13Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.
Psalm 6:8Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
Treasury of Scripture And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. I never. Matthew 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. John 10:14,27-30 I am the good shepherd, and know mysheep, and am known of mine… 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. depart. 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: Psalm 5:5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Psalm 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. Jump to Previous AcknowledgeAvowBegoneDeclareDepartDoersEvilEvildoersIniquityLawlessnessPlainlyPracticeProfessWickednessWorkWorkersWorkingJump to Next AcknowledgeAvowBegoneDeclareDepartDoersEvilEvildoersIniquityLawlessnessPlainlyPracticeProfessWickednessWorkWorkersWorkingMatthew 7 1.Do Not Judge7.Ask, Seek, Knock13.Enter through the Narrow Gate15.A Tree and Its Fruit24.The Wise and the Foolish Builders28.Jesus ends his sermon, and the people are astonished.Then I will tell them plainlyThis phrase indicates a direct and unambiguous communication from Jesus. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is addressing those who claim to follow Him but do not truly live according to His teachings. The use of "plainly" suggests a final and authoritative declaration, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. This reflects the biblical theme of divine judgment, where God’s truth is revealed clearly and unmistakably. ‘I never knew you’
The word "knew" in biblical terms often implies an intimate relationship, not just intellectual awareness. Jesus is emphasizing the lack of a genuine relationship with those He is addressing. This echoes the covenantal language found throughout Scripture, where knowing God involves a deep, personal connection (e.g.,Jeremiah 31:34). It highlights the importance of a true relationship with Christ, beyond mere outward appearances or actions. depart from Me
This command signifies a separation from the presence of Christ, which is the ultimate consequence of not being in a true relationship with Him. In biblical history, being cast out from God's presence is a severe punishment, as seen in the expulsion from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:23-24). It underscores the gravity of spiritual separation and the eternal implications of rejecting Christ. you workers of lawlessness!
"Workers of lawlessness" refers to those who act contrary to God's laws and commands. In the Jewish context, lawlessness was synonymous with sin and rebellion against God’s covenant. This phrase connects to the broader biblical narrative of obedience versus disobedience, as seen in the Old Testament prophets who called out Israel for similar transgressions (e.g.,Isaiah 1:4). It serves as a warning that mere verbal profession of faith is insufficient without a life that reflects God’s righteousness. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe speaker in this verse, Jesus is delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching in the New Testament. 2. False DisciplesThose who claim to follow Jesus but are ultimately rejected by Him for their lawlessness. 3. Sermon on the MountThe setting of this teaching, where Jesus addresses His followers and the crowds, providing guidance on righteous living. Teaching Points True Relationship with ChristKnowing Jesus is more than verbal confession; it requires a genuine relationship and obedience to His teachings. The Danger of LawlessnessLawlessness, or living contrary to God's commands, is a serious offense that leads to separation from Christ. Self-ExaminationBelievers are called to examine their lives to ensure their faith is genuine and not merely superficial. The Importance of ObedienceObedience to God's Word is a hallmark of true discipleship and a reflection of a transformed heart. Eternal ConsequencesThe rejection by Christ in this verse underscores the eternal consequences of living a life of lawlessness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 7:23?
2.How can we ensure Jesus never says, "I never knew you" to us?
3.What actions might lead to being called "evildoers" in Matthew 7:23?
4.How does Matthew 7:23 relate to James 2:14-17 on faith and works?
5.What daily practices help us align with God's will, avoiding Matthew 7:23's warning?
6.How does Matthew 7:23 challenge our understanding of true discipleship?
7.What does "I never knew you" mean in Matthew 7:23?
8.How does Matthew 7:23 challenge the concept of salvation by faith alone?
9.Why does Jesus reject those who perform miracles in His name in Matthew 7:23?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 7?
11.Is sin equivalent to lawlessness?
12.Is sin equivalent to lawlessness?
13.What does iniquity mean?
14.What did Jesus mean by "I never knew you"?What Does Matthew 7:23 Mean Then I will tell them plainly• The setting is the final judgment, immediately after many professing believers have cried, “Lord, Lord,” recounting their impressive works (Matthew 7:21-22). • “Plainly” underscores that Christ’s verdict will be crystal-clear, leaving no room for debate or misunderstanding, just as He will later separate the sheep from the goats with unmistakable clarity (Matthew 25:31-33). • His straightforward declaration fulfillsJohn 5:22-27, where the Father has entrusted all judgment to the Son, andRomans 2:16, where God will judge the secrets of men through Jesus Christ.
I never knew you• “Knew” speaks of a personal, covenant relationship. Jesus is not saying He lacked information about them; He is stating they never belonged to Him (John 10:14, 27-28). • Their prophecy, exorcisms, and miracles (v. 22) impressed crowds, but never established genuine fellowship with the Lord (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). •2 Timothy 2:19 affirms, “The Lord knows those who are His,” drawing a sharp line between authentic disciples and mere performers. • The sobering truth: religious activity can mask an unregenerate heart. Saving faith always produces obedience that flows from relationship, not mere resume (James 2:14-17;John 15:4-6).
depart from Me• This is a legal dismissal from Christ’s presence, echoingPsalm 6:8, “Depart from me, all you evildoers,” and foreshadowing the eternal separation described inMatthew 25:41, 46. • Being sent away from Jesus is the very essence of hell—exclusion from the source of life, joy, and light (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). • The words reveal that judgment is not merely about missing heaven’s blessings; it is about being banished from the King Himself (Revelation 22:14-15).
you workers of lawlessness!• “Lawlessness” is willful rebellion against God’s revealed will (1 John 3:4). Despite their public ministry, their lives contradicted the righteousness God requires (Matthew 23:27-28). • Jesus uses the same phrase inMatthew 13:41, where angels gather “all lawbreakers” for fiery judgment, linking false professors to ultimate condemnation. •Titus 1:16 describes them perfectly: “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him.” • True disciples are characterized by doing the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21) and practicing righteousness (1 John 2:29), not by spectacular deeds divorced from obedience.
summaryMatthew 7:23 is Christ’s uncompromising verdict on religious hypocrisy. In plain speech He exposes empty professions, declares the absence of genuine relationship, orders eternal separation, and labels the self-deceived as practitioners of rebellion. Authentic faith is proven not by sensational works but by a life submitted to the Lord’s will and transformed by His grace. (23) Then will I profess unto them.--The words form a remarkable complement to the promise, "Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven" ( Matthew 10:32). The confession there recognised is more than lip-homage, and implies the loyal service of obedience. And the condemnation is pronounced not on those who have wandered from the truth, but on those who have been "workers of iniquity," or, as the word more strictly means, "of lawlessness." The words remind us of those of Psalm 15:2-3; Psalm 24:3-4, and are, perhaps, a transfer of what David had spoken of his ideal of his earthly kingdom to that of the kingdom of heaven which the Christ had come to found. Verse 23. - (Cf. Luke 13:27.) And then will I profess unto them. Openly in the face of all men (cf. Matthew 10:32). I never knew you. Even when you did all these miracles. etc., I had not that personal knowledge of you which is only the result of heart-sympathy. There was never anything in common between you and me. Although this is, perhaps, the only example of this sense of ἔγνων in the synoptic Gospels, it is common in John. Depart from me. The absence of recognition by Christ, though not represented as the cause, yet will involve departure from his presence (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:9). This clause reproduces verbally the LXX. of Psalm 6:8, except in St. Matthew's word used for "depart" ( ἀποχωρεῖτε), which gives more idea of distance in the removal than the word used in the psalm and in Luke ( ἀπόστητε). Ye that work. In full purpose and energy ( οἱ ἐργαζόμενοι, cf. Colossians 3:23), and that till this very moment. Iniquity. The assurance of the psalmist becomes the verdict of the Judge. Observe that at this, the end of his discourse, our Lord speaks not of sin generally ( τὴν ἁμαρτίαν), but of lawlessness ( τὴν ἀνομίαν). He has throughout been insisting upon obedience to the Law in its final meaning as essentially necessary for his followers (most recently ver. 12). So that instead of saying, "ye that work sin," he uses the correlative ( 1 John 3:4), for sin is neglect of or opposition to the perfect Law of God in the three spheres that this regards - self, the world, God (cf. Bishop Westcott, on 1 John 3:4). It is, perhaps, more than a coincidence that in 2 Timothy 2:19 we have again the collocation of the Lord knowing and of man's departing, i.e. either from him or from sin (cf. especially the parallel Luke 13:27); vide Resch, 'Agrapha,' p. 207.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek Thenτότε(tote)Adverb
Strong's 5119:Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.I will tell them plainly,ὁμολογήσω(homologēsō)Verb - Future Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3670:From a compound of the base of homou and logos; to assent, i.e. Covenant, acknowledge.‘I never knewἔγνων(egnōn)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1097:A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.you;ὑμᾶς(hymas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.departἀποχωρεῖτε(apochōreite)Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 672:To go away, depart, withdraw. From apo and choreo; to go away.fromἀπ’(ap’)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.Me,ἐμοῦ(emou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.[you]οἱ(hoi)Article - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.workersἐργαζόμενοι(ergazomenoi)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Vocative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2038:To work, trade, perform, do, practice, commit, acquire by labor.of lawlessness!’ἀνομίαν(anomian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 458:Lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin. From anomos; illegality, i.e. Violation of law or wickedness.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 7:23 Then I will tell them 'I never (Matt. Mat Mt) |
