Matthew 7:23

Berean Standard Bible

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

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Known by the King

“I never knew you,” the Savior will say,

Though works in His name they boldly profess.

Their miracles falter, their boasts fade away,

For hearts unaligned find no place of rest.

“Depart from Me,” His voice will decree,

To those who served yet strayed from His call.

No deed, though mighty, can mask lawless plea,

Without His love, all efforts will fall.

Seek now His heart, let truth guide your way,

Be known by the King through a life that obeys.

In humble devotion, His will day by day,

Finds welcome in glory where grace ever stays.

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The verse in Matthew 7:23, where Jesus declares, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” concludes a sobering warning that begins in Matthew 7:21 and continues through verse 22. This passage, situated within the Sermon on the Mount, delivers a stark message about the nature of true discipleship and the reality of divine judgment. Following the assertion that only those who do the will of the Father will enter the kingdom of heaven, and the appeal of those who claim to have performed mighty works in Jesus’ name, verse 23 reveals the devastating outcome for those whose lives do not align with God’s will. Jesus’ words here are not merely a rebuke but a revelation of the relational and ethical demands of the kingdom, challenging believers to examine the authenticity of their faith. To grasp the depth of this verse, we must consider its context, theological weight, and practical implications for those who seek to follow Christ.

The Sermon on the Mount, spanning Matthew 5–7, is Jesus’ authoritative teaching on the character and ethics of the kingdom of heaven. Addressed primarily to his disciples but overheard by a larger crowd, it presents a vision of righteousness that transcends external religious observance, calling for a transformation of the heart that manifests in obedient action. By chapter 7, Jesus is concluding with urgent warnings about the path to life, addressing false prophets, false disciples, and the necessity of building one’s life on his teachings. Matthew 7:23 serves as the climax of a three-verse unit (7:21–23) that confronts the danger of self-deception in discipleship. In verse 21, Jesus establishes that entry into the kingdom requires doing the Father’s will, not merely professing his lordship. In verse 22, individuals appeal to their extraordinary deeds—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles—done in Jesus’ name. Verse 23 delivers the shocking verdict: despite their claims and works, Jesus declares, “I never knew you,” and casts them out as evildoers. This progression underscores the central theme: authentic faith is measured not by words or even impressive deeds but by a life rooted in a genuine relationship with Christ and obedience to God’s will.

The phrase “Then I will tell them plainly” signals a moment of divine clarity, a final judgment where all pretensions are stripped away. The Greek verb used here suggests a public declaration, emphasizing the solemnity and finality of Jesus’ pronouncement. This is not a private conversation but a moment of cosmic reckoning, set “on that day” (7:22), a reference to the eschatological Day of the Lord when God’s justice is fully revealed. The individuals who stand before Jesus are not casual observers but those who have actively claimed his name, addressing him as “Lord, Lord” and pointing to their spiritual accomplishments. Their appeal to prophesying, exorcisms, and miracles suggests they were prominent figures, perhaps leaders in their communities, confident in their standing with God. Yet Jesus’ response, “I never knew you,” reveals a profound disconnect: their works, though done in his name, did not flow from a true relationship with him.

The statement “I never knew you” is one of the most jarring elements of this verse. In biblical language, “knowing” often denotes intimate, relational knowledge, not mere intellectual awareness. Jesus uses this term elsewhere, such as in John 10:14, where he describes himself as the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep and is known by them. To be known by Jesus is to live in communion with him, to have one’s life shaped by his Spirit and aligned with his purposes. The individuals in Matthew 7:23, however, are strangers to him, despite their invocation of his name and their impressive deeds. The phrase “never knew you” implies that this lack of relationship was not a momentary lapse but a persistent reality throughout their lives. They may have acted in Jesus’ name, but they did not abide in him, nor did they allow his teachings to transform their hearts. This relational failure is the root of their rejection, underscoring that salvation is not a transaction based on works but a relationship rooted in faith and obedience.

The command “Away from me, you evildoers!” is equally striking, revealing the reason for their rejection. The term “evildoers” translates the Greek phrase ergazomenoi ten anomian, literally “workers of lawlessness.” This is a powerful indictment, especially given the nature of their claims. Prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles are acts associated with God’s power and kingdom, yet Jesus labels these individuals as lawless. In the context of the Sermon on the Mount, “lawlessness” refers to a life that disregards God’s righteous standards as revealed by Jesus. The sermon calls for a righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees, emphasizing humility, mercy, purity of heart, and love for enemies. The individuals in verse 23, however, have pursued their own agendas, perhaps seeking personal glory or power rather than God’s will. Their deeds, though outwardly impressive, are not the fruit of a life submitted to God but are tainted by motives or actions that contradict his kingdom values.

This raises a critical theological question: how can works done in Jesus’ name be deemed lawless? The answer lies in the disconnect between their actions and their hearts. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus critiques hypocrisy—religious observance that lacks inner transformation. The Pharisees, for example, are condemned for their outward piety while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Similarly, the individuals in Matthew 7:23 may have performed spectacular deeds, but their lives did not reflect the character of the kingdom. Their works may have been driven by pride, ambition, or a desire for recognition rather than love for God and neighbor. Alternatively, they may have separated their spiritual activities from ethical living, performing miracles while ignoring Jesus’ call to forgive, serve the poor, or seek reconciliation. This aligns with broader New Testament teachings, such as 1 Corinthians 13:1–3, where Paul declares that even the most extraordinary gifts—prophecy, knowledge, or sacrificial acts—are worthless without love. True discipleship integrates word, deed, and heart, producing a life that consistently honors God.

The verse also highlights the danger of self-deception, a recurring theme in the Sermon on the Mount. The individuals in Matthew 7:23 are not insincere pretenders but appear genuinely surprised by Jesus’ rejection, suggesting they believed their works secured their place in the kingdom. This is a sobering warning for all believers, as it reveals the human capacity to misjudge one’s spiritual state. It is possible to be deeply engaged in religious activity—preaching, performing miracles, or leading ministries—while missing the heart of discipleship. The Sermon on the Mount repeatedly calls for self-examination, urging believers to check their motives, align their hearts with God’s will, and ensure their actions reflect genuine faith. The parable of the wise and foolish builders, which follows in Matthew 7:24–27, reinforces this point: only those who hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice build a life that endures. The individuals in verse 23, like the foolish builder, have failed to act on Jesus’ teachings, and their rejection is the consequence.

For contemporary believers, Matthew 7:23 is a powerful call to authenticity. In a world where faith can be performative—amplified by social media, public platforms, or measurable outcomes—Jesus’ words challenge us to prioritize substance over spectacle. The temptation to equate spiritual success with visible results, such as large followings, eloquent sermons, or impactful ministries, is strong. Yet Jesus reminds us that God looks at the heart, seeking those who know him and are known by him. This requires a life of daily obedience, rooted in the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount: humility, mercy, integrity, and love. It also demands a willingness to repent when our motives stray, to seek the Spirit’s guidance, and to live in community where we can be held accountable and encouraged. The verse warns against relying on our works, no matter how impressive, and invites us to rest in the grace of Christ, who empowers us to live out the Father’s will.

The relational emphasis of “I never knew you” also points to the hope embedded in this warning. While the verse speaks of judgment, it is spoken by the One who desires to know us and be known by us. Jesus’ ministry is marked by his invitation to relationship—calling disciples to follow him, abide in him, and find life in him. The rejection of those in Matthew 7:23 is not a sign of God’s harshness but a consequence of their failure to respond to his invitation. For those who hear this warning today, there is an opportunity to turn to Christ, to seek his forgiveness, and to build a life rooted in his love. The Holy Spirit, given to all who believe, empowers us to live as those who are known by Christ, producing fruit that aligns with his kingdom.

In conclusion, Matthew 7:23 is a profound and sobering call to authentic discipleship. It warns against the danger of self-deception, where impressive works can mask a heart far from God, and emphasizes the necessity of a genuine relationship with Jesus, marked by obedience to the Father’s will. As part of the Sermon on the Mount, it challenges believers to live out the radical ethics of the kingdom, integrating faith and action in a life of love and humility. For those who heed this warning, it is an invitation to abide in Christ, to know him deeply, and to build a life that withstands the scrutiny of divine judgment.

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Grace and peace to you, beloved brothers and sisters, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us into the fellowship of his eternal kingdom through the power of his redeeming love. I write to you, compelled by the Spirit, not with the wisdom of this age but with the truth of the gospel, that you may stand firm in faith and live as those who are truly known by our Savior. My heart trembles at the words of our Lord Jesus, spoken with divine authority: “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” These words, delivered in the shadow of the final judgment, pierce the soul and expose the fragility of a faith built on anything less than a living relationship with Christ. They summon us to examine our hearts, to align our lives with the will of the Father, and to walk in the obedience that flows from knowing and being known by our Lord. Let us, therefore, reflect deeply on this truth, that we may be found faithful when we stand before him.

The scene our Lord describes is one of eternal consequence, a moment when all masks are removed, and the heart is laid bare before the One who sees all things. Those who stand before Jesus cry out, “Lord, Lord,” claiming intimacy with him and pointing to mighty works done in his name—prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles. These are not trivial deeds, beloved, but acts that carry the weight of divine power, works that might cause the world to marvel and the church to applaud. Yet, in a declaration that shakes the foundations of our assumptions, Jesus responds, “I never knew you.” This is no mere dismissal but a revelation of a profound truth: to be a disciple is not to perform great works but to abide in a relationship with Christ, to live in communion with him, to allow his Spirit to shape every thought, word, and deed. The tragedy of those rejected is not the absence of works but the absence of intimacy with the One in whose name they acted. Their lives, though marked by spiritual activity, were not rooted in the knowledge of Christ, and thus they are called “evildoers,” workers of lawlessness whose deeds did not reflect the righteousness of God’s kingdom.

What does it mean, dear friends, to be known by Christ? It is to dwell in his presence, to walk in his truth, to allow his love to transform us from within. To be known by him is not a matter of intellectual assent or religious performance but a living relationship where our hearts are knit to his, where our will is surrendered to the Father’s purposes, where our lives bear the fruit of his Spirit. The individuals in this passage, though they invoked Jesus’ name and wielded his authority, were strangers to him. Their works, however impressive, were not the overflow of a heart submitted to God but were tainted by motives or actions that fell short of his righteous standards. This teaches us that faith is not a resume of accomplishments but a life of devotion, where every act of service, every word of truth, every moment of worship flows from a heart that knows and loves the Lord. To be known by Christ is to live as he lived, to love as he loved, to obey as he obeyed, even to the point of sacrifice.

The label “evildoers” is a sobering indictment, for it reveals that even works done in Jesus’ name can be deemed lawless if they are not rooted in obedience to the Father’s will. In the Sermon on the Mount, where these words are found, Jesus calls us to a righteousness that surpasses outward observance—a righteousness of the heart that manifests in humility, mercy, purity, and love. The evildoers in this passage may have prophesied with eloquence, cast out demons with power, and performed miracles that astonished the crowds, but their lives did not reflect the character of the kingdom. Perhaps they sought their own glory rather than God’s, or perhaps they neglected the weightier matters of justice, compassion, and faithfulness. Whatever the cause, their rejection reminds us that God looks beyond the surface to the heart, judging not by the grandeur of our deeds but by the integrity of our lives. This is a call to align our actions with the teachings of Christ, to ensure that our service is an expression of our love for him, not a substitute for it.

Let us not be deceived, beloved, by the allure of a faith that is all show and no substance. In our day, the temptation is great to measure our devotion by outward metrics—how many sermons we preach, how many people we influence, how many causes we champion. The world celebrates the visible, the viral, the spectacular, and we are not immune to its pull. We may post our prayers online, lead ministries that draw crowds, or serve in ways that earn applause, yet Jesus’ words remind us that none of this matters if we are not known by him. The one who prophesies but harbors pride, the one who serves but ignores the poor, the one who performs wonders but lives in disobedience—these are the ones who risk hearing, “I never knew you.” This is not a call to fear but to self-examination, to ask whether our faith is a performance for others or a pursuit of Christ, whether our works are a means to glory or an overflow of grace.

Practically, this truth demands that we live with intentionality, rooting our lives in the teachings of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount is our guide, calling us to embody the Beatitudes—poverty of spirit, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy toward others. It urges us to pray with sincerity, to forgive without limit, to love even our enemies, to seek first the kingdom of God. To be known by Christ is to let these teachings shape our daily choices: to speak truth in love, even when it costs us; to serve the marginalized, even when no one notices; to walk in integrity, even in the hidden places. It is to live not for the approval of the crowd but for the pleasure of our Father, trusting that his Spirit will empower us to do his will. And it is to live in community, for we are not called to walk alone. As members of Christ’s body, we must encourage one another, hold one another accountable, and spur one another on to love and good deeds, that together we may reflect the kingdom to a world in need.

I urge you, therefore, to draw near to Christ, to seek his face, to abide in his love. If your heart has strayed, if your works have become a substitute for knowing him, return to the cross, where his grace is sufficient to forgive and restore. The One who declares, “I never knew you,” is also the One who invites you to know him, to find rest in his presence, to be transformed by his Spirit. Do not rely on your own strength or accomplishments, for they will not stand before the throne. Instead, trust in the One who knows you fully, who died for you, and who lives to intercede for you. Let your life be a testimony to his grace, a living sacrifice that glorifies the Father. And let us run this race together, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, until the day we hear, not “Away from me,” but “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Now to him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

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O God of all righteousness and grace, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose eyes see the depths of every heart and whose mercy calls us into your eternal kingdom, we bow before you in awe and humility, seeking to be known by you and to live as those who truly belong to your Son. Your Word, spoken through him, cuts us to the core: “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” These words, O Lord, spoken in the light of your coming judgment, awaken us to the danger of a faith that is mere performance, a life that claims your name but lacks the intimacy of knowing you. We tremble at your holiness, yet we cling to your grace, pleading for your Spirit to transform us into disciples who abide in your love and walk in your truth, that we may stand before you as those known and cherished by our Savior.

You are the God who knows all things, whose gaze penetrates the facades we build, yet you invite us into a relationship of love and trust through your Son. We confess, O Father, that we are prone to stray, to offer you words and works that lack the substance of true devotion. Too often, we have called Jesus “Lord, Lord,” and pointed to our deeds—our prayers, our service, our moments of zeal—while neglecting the deeper call to know him and be known by him. Forgive us, we pray, for every instance where we have trusted in our own efforts rather than in your grace, where we have sought the praise of others rather than the approval of your heart, where we have performed in your name but failed to live in your love. Wash us clean, O God, and renew our spirits, that we may build our lives on the rock of your Son’s teachings, secure against the storms of judgment.

We cry out to you, Lord, for the grace to know Christ and to be known by him. Draw us into the intimacy of his presence, where our hearts are shaped by his love, our minds renewed by his truth, and our lives transformed by his Spirit. May we not be content with outward acts of faith—prophesying, serving, or even working wonders—but seek the deeper communion that comes from abiding in him. Teach us to live out the righteousness of your kingdom, as Jesus revealed in his words: to be poor in spirit, merciful in heart, pure in motive, and steadfast in love. Let our every deed flow from a heart that knows you, not as a means to earn your favor but as a response to the grace that has already saved us. Keep us from the lawlessness that masquerades as devotion, and anchor us in the obedience that reflects your holy will.

Guard us, O God, from the deception that ensnares those who trust in their works rather than in your Son. Your warning in this passage reveals the peril of a faith that is all show, a life that claims your name but lives apart from your purposes. Deliver us from the temptation to seek glory for ourselves, to measure our faith by the approval of others, or to mistake activity for intimacy. Illuminate our paths with the light of your Word, that we may walk the narrow way that leads to life. Empower us to embody the love of Christ in our daily lives—to forgive those who wrong us, to serve the broken, to speak truth with grace, to seek justice for the oppressed. May our faith be a living testimony, not of our own strength but of your transforming power, that the world may see your kingdom through us.

We pray for your church, the body of Christ, called to be a beacon of your grace in a world of darkness. Unite us, O Lord, as a people who know you and are known by you, a community that reflects your love in word and deed. May we encourage one another to pursue authentic faith, to correct one another with humility, to bear one another’s burdens with compassion. Let our collective witness proclaim the gospel, not merely in what we say or do but in who we are—your children, transformed by your Spirit, living for your glory. Make us a people who do not merely call Jesus “Lord” but live as those who belong to him, that your name may be honored among the nations.

In the face of trials, distractions, and the allure of worldly success, keep us steadfast, O God. When we are tempted to rely on our own accomplishments or to seek the fleeting praise of this age, remind us that you desire a heart fully surrendered to you. Strengthen us by your Spirit to persevere in faith, to trust in your grace, and to walk in obedience, even when the path is costly. If we stumble, lift us up by your merciful hand, for your love never fails, and your compassion is new every morning. Renew us daily, that our lives may bear fruit worthy of your kingdom, fruit that endures to eternal life.

We thank you, O Father, for your Son, Jesus Christ, who knows us fully and loves us completely, who laid down his life to reconcile us to you, and who rose again to give us life eternal. Through him, we are called your children, sealed by your Spirit, and invited to know you as you know us. May we never take this grace for granted but respond with lives of faithful obedience, abiding in Christ as he abides in us. Let our every thought, word, and deed be a reflection of his love, a testimony to his lordship, and a foretaste of the glory of your kingdom, where we will see you face to face and be known forever in your presence.

To you, O God, be all glory, honor, and power, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit reigns as one God, now and forever. Amen.