Matthew 7:23 meaning
In the stark declaration found in the Gospel, Jesus speaks to those who outwardly profess Him yet fail to embody His teachings. This warning emphasizes that mere verbal acknowledgment, such as calling Him "Lord," does not guarantee entry into the kingdom of heaven. Rather, our actions must align with God’s will, as laid out in the Sermon on the Mount. True discipleship transcends verbal affirmations and is marked by genuine obedience to God’s commands, signifying a deep-rooted faith in Christ.
The passage conveys a sobering truth: Jesus will reject those who claim to perform miracles in His name but live lawlessly. This "I never knew you" signifies not an absence of knowledge but a lack of approval and acknowledgment from Christ regarding their ministry and lives. Such individuals may find themselves in a state of profound disappointment at the judgment, experiencing exclusion not from salvation, but from the rewards of faithful living and ruling alongside Christ in His kingdom.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Deeper Commentary Covering this Verse:
- Matthew 7:21-23 meaning. Jesus asserts He will refuse many people entrance into His kingdom on the Day of Judgment because they did not know Him or follow His Father’s will. Despite their claims of performing mighty works in His name, their deeds and hearts violated God’s law.
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Proverbs 31:23-26 meaning. The virtue of the excellent wife impacts her husband. She is clothed in honor and speaks with the wisdom central to the overall message of Proverbs.
- Matthew 25:41 meaning. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats: "The Third Judgment: The Banishment of the Accursed" Jesus says that the King will address the accursed goats who were sorted to His left. This judgment will happen after the King rewarded the sheep. He will call them "accursed ones" and banish them into the eternal fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels. This is the third of three judgments the parable describes.
- Leviticus 18:5 meaning. God’s law presents to us an ideal way to live in harmony with God and our fellow humans by defining what is right and wrong. As our creator, God knows this better than any human. In pronouncing His ways, He is making clear the path to our ultimate best interest.