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Matthew 7:23

Matthew 7:23 in Multiple Translations

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.

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

And then will I say to them, I never had knowledge of you: go from me, you workers of evil.

Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Leave me, you people who practice wickedness!’

And then will I professe to them, I neuer knewe you: depart from me, ye that worke iniquitie.

and then I will acknowledge to them, that — I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness.

Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’

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

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

Then I will declare to them, ‘I have never said that you belonged to me. Go away from me, you who do what is evil!’”

Then I will tell them, ‘I don’t know you mob. You are bad. You don’t do what God wants. So get away from me.’”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Matthew 7:23

BAB
Word Study

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Matthew 7:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK και τοτε ομολογησω αυτοις οτι ουδεποτε εγνων υμας αποχωρειτε απ εμου οι εργαζομενοι την ανομιαν
και kai G2532 and Conj
τοτε tote G5119 then Adv
ομολογησω homologeō G3670 to confess/profess Verb-FAI-1S
αυτοις autos G846 it/s/he Pron-DPM
οτι hoti G3754 that/since: that Conj
ουδεποτε oudepote G3763 never Adv-N
εγνων ginōskō G1097 to know Verb-2AAI-1S
υμας su G4771 you Pron-2AP
αποχωρειτε apochōreō G672 to leave Verb-PAM-2P
απ apo G575 away from Prep
εμου egō G1473 I/we Pron-1GS
οι ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NPM
εργαζομενοι ergazomai G2038 to work Verb-PNP-NPM
την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF
ανομιαν anomia G458 lawlessness Noun-ASF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Matthew 7:23

και kai G2532 "and" Conj
And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.
Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.
τοτε tote G5119 "then" Adv
The Greek word for then, used to describe a specific point in time, as seen in Matthew 2:17 and Galatians 4:8. It can refer to concurrent or consequent events, and is often used to introduce a new action or event.
Definition: τότε, demonstr. adv. of time, correlat. of ὅτε, then, at that time; __(a) of concurrent events: Mat.2:17 3:5 and freq., Rom.6:21; before ptcp., Mat.2:16, Gal.4:8; opposite to νῦν, Gal.4:29, Heb.12:26; ὁ τ. κόσμος, 2Pe.3:6; __(b) of consequent events, then, thereupon: Mat.2:7 3:5 4:1 and freq., Luk.11:26; τ. οὖν, Jhn.11:14 19:1, 16 20:8; εὐθέως τ., Act.17:14; ὅτε . . . τ., Mat.13:26 21:1, Jhn.12:16; ἀπὸ τ., Mat.4:17 16:21 26:16, Luk.16:16; __(with) of things future: Mat.24:28, 40 25:1, 31ff.; opposite to ἄρτι, 1Co.13:12; καὶ τ., Mat.7:23, Mrk.13:21, Luk.21:27, 1Co.4:5, al.; ὅταν . . . τ., Mat.9:15, Mrk.2:20, Luk.5:35, 1Th.5:3, al. (more frequently in Mt than in the rest of the NT). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 156 NT verses. KJV: that time, then See also: 1 Corinthians 4:5; Matthew 7:5; Hebrews 10:7.
ομολογησω homologeō G3670 "to confess/profess" Verb-FAI-1S
To confess or profess means to agree or acknowledge something, like in John 1:20 where John the Baptist confessed that he was not the Messiah. It is about speaking the truth or admitting something.
Definition: ὁμολογέω, -ῶ (ὁμόλογος, of one mind: Dan LXX Su 1:60 *), [in LXX: Job.40:9 (14) (יָדָה hi.), Jer.44:25 (נָדַר), al. ;] __1. to speak the same language (Hdt.). __2. to agree with (Hdt., Plat., al.). __3. to agree, confess, acknowledge (Plat., al.) : absol., Jhn.1:20 12:42; pass., Rom.10:10; before ὅτι, ib., Heb.11:13; with accusative of thing(s), Act.23:8, 1Jn.1:9, Rev.3:5; id. with dative of person(s), Act.24:14; with accusative cogn., 1Ti.6:12; with accusative of person(s), 1Jn.2:23 Jn 4:3; id. before pred. accusative (Bl., § 34, 5; 73, 5), Jhn.9:22, Rom.10:9, 1Jn.4:2 Jn 4:15, 2Jn.7; with inf. (M, Pr., 229), Tit.1:16; with dative of person(s) before ὅτι, Mat.7:23; before ἐν, with dative of person(s) (M, Pr., 104; Bl., § 41, 2), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8. __4. to agree, promise: τ. ἐπαγγελίαν, Act.7:17; with inf. obj. (Bl., § 61, 3), Mat.14:7. __5. = ἐξμολογέω, to praise: Heb.13:15 (Westc., in l). (cf. ἀνθ-ομολογέομοι, ἐξμολογέω.) † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 21 NT verses. KJV: con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise See also: 1 John 1:9; John 1:20; Hebrews 11:13.
αυτοις autos G846 "it/s/he" Pron-DPM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing, like 'he', 'she', or 'it'. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a person or thing, like in John 2:25 where it says 'he himself knew'.
Definition: αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). __1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); __(1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; MM, see word); __(2) emphatic, he, she, it (M, Pr., 86; Bl., §48, 1, 2, 7), Mat.1:21, 12:50, Luk.6:35, al.; pointing to some one as master (cl.), Mat.8:24, Mrk.4:38, al.; αὐ., καὶ αὐ. = οὗτος, ὁ δε (BL, §48, 1), Mat.14:2, Mrk.14:15, 44, Luk.1:22, 2:28, al. __2. In oblique cases (cl.), for the simple pron. of 3rd of person(s), he, she, it, Mat.7:9, 10:12, 26:44, al.; with ptcp. in genitive absol., Mat.9:18, Mrk.13:1, al. (for irreg. constructions, V. Bl., §74, 5); pleonastically after the relative (cf. Heb. אֲשֶׁר לוֹ; WM, 184ff.; Bl., §50, 4; MM, see word), Mrk.7:25, Rev.3:8, 7:2, al.; in constr. ad sensum, without proper subject expressly indicated, Mat.4:23, Act.8:5, 2Co.2:13, al.; genitive αὐτοῦ = ἐκείνου, Rom.11:11, 1Th.2:19, Tit.3:5, Heb.2:4. __3. ὁ, ἡ, τὸ αὐ., the same: Heb.1:12, 13:8; τὸ αὐ., ποιεῖν, Mat.5:46, 47, al.; φρονεῖν, Rom.12:16, 15:5, Php.2:2, al.; τὰ αὐ., Act.15:27, Rom.2:1, al.; κατὰ τὸ (τὰ) αὐ. (MM, see word), Act.14:1, Luk.6:23, al.; ἐπὶ τὸ αὐ., together (MM, see word), Mat.22:34, Act.1:15, al.; ἓν κ. τὸ αὐ., 1Co.11:5, 12:11; with dative (cl.), 1Co.11:5; with a noun, λόγος, Mrk.14:39; μέτρος, Php.1:30; πνεῦμα, 1Co.12:4. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3773 NT verses. KJV: her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 John 3:10; 1 Peter 1:3.
οτι hoti G3754 "that/since: that" Conj
This Greek word means 'that' or 'because', used to introduce a reason or explanation. It appears in the New Testament, such as in Matthew 3:9 and Romans 8:38. It helps to show cause and effect in sentences.
Definition: ὅτι, conjc. (prop. neut. of ὅστις). __I. As conjc, introducing an objective clause, that; __1. after verbs of seeing, knowing, thinking, saying, feeling: Mat.3:9 6:32 11:25, Mrk.3:28, Luk.2:49, Jhn.2:22, Act.4:13, Rom.1:13 8:38 10:9, Php.4:15, Jas.2:24, al.; elliptically, Jhn.6:46, Php.3:12, al. __2. After εἶναι (γίνεσθαι): defining a demonstr. or of person(s) pron., Jhn.3:19 16:19, Rom.9:6, 1Jn.3:16 al.; with pron. interrog., Mat.8:27, Mrk.4:41, Luk.4:36, Jhn.4:22 al.; id. elliptically, Luk.2:49, Act.5:4, 9, al.; __3. Untranslatable, before direct discourse (ὅτι recitantis): Mat.7:23, Mrk.2:16, Luk.1:61, Jhn.1:20, Act.15:1, Heb.11:18, al. (on the pleonastic ὡς ὅτι, see: ὡς). __II. As causal particle, for that, because: Mat.5:4-12, Luk.6:20, 21, J0 1:30 5:27, Act.1:5, 1Jn.4:18, Rev.3:10, al. mult.; διὰ τοῦτο ὅτι, Jhn.8:47 10:17, al.; answering a question (διὰ τί), Rom.9:32, al.; οὐκ ὅτι . . . ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι, Jhn.6:26 12:6. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1185 NT verses. KJV: as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 1 John 5:2; 1 Peter 1:12.
ουδεποτε oudepote G3763 "never" Adv-N
This Greek word means never, as in not even at any time. It appears in Matthew 7:23 and Acts 10:14. Jesus used it to describe those who never knew him.
Definition: οὐδέ-ποτε, adv. [in LXX: Exo.10:6 (לֹא), etc. ;] never: Mat.7:23 9:33 26:33, Mrk.2:12, Luk.15:29, Jhn.7:46, Act.10:14 11:8 14:8, 1Co.13:8, Heb.10:1, 11. Interrog., Mat.21:16, 42, Mrk.2:25 † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: neither at any time, never, nothing at any time See also: 1 Corinthians 13:8; Luke 15:29; Hebrews 10:1.
εγνων ginōskō G1097 "to know" Verb-2AAI-1S
To know or understand something, as in Matthew 22:18 and Mark 5:43, where it means to recognize or perceive.
Definition: γινώσκω (= γιγν-: see previous word. So also vulgar Attic, in Inscr., see Thumb, MGV, 207), [in LXX chiefly for ידע ;] to be taking in knowledge, come to know, recognize, perceive, understand; in past tenses to know, realize; pass., to become known: with accusative, Mat.22:18, Mrk.5:43, Col.4:8, 1Th.3:5, al. Pass., Mat.10:26, Php.4:5, al.; before ὅτι, Mat.21:45, Jhn.4:1, al.; τί, Mat.6:3; ἀπό, Mrk.15:45; ὅ, Rom.7:15; τ. λεγόμενα, Luk.18:34; τ. θέλημα, Luk.12:47; τ. καρδίας, Luk.16:15; with accusative of person(s), of recognition by God, 1Co.8:3, Gal.4:9; by Christ, neg., Mat.7:23; frequently of the knowledge of divine things, of God and Christ; τ. θεόν, Rom.1:21 Gal.4:9; τ. πατέρα, Jhn.8:55; τ. κύριον, Heb.8:1 (LXX); νοῦν κυρίου, Rom.11:34; Χριστόν, Jhn.17:3, 1Jn.3:6; τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος, 1Co.2:14; τ. πνεύμα, 1Jn.4:6; τ. ἀλήθειαν, Jhn.8:32; of Christ's knowledge of the Father (ἐπιγ.), Mat.11:27 (Dalman, Words, 282ff.). In Hellenistic writers [LXX for Heb. ידע, Gal.4:1, al.], of sexual intercourse, to know carnally: Mat.1:25, Luk.1:34 (Cremer, 153). SYN.: γ., to know by observation and experience is thus prop. disting. from οἶδα, to know by reflection (a mental process, based on intuition or information); cf. also ἐφίστημι, συνίημι. (Cf. ἀνα-, δια-, ἐπι-, κατα-, προ-γινώσκω.) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 207 NT verses. KJV: allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand See also: 1 Corinthians 1:21; John 8:55; Hebrews 3:10.
υμας su G4771 "you" Pron-2AP
This Greek word means 'you' and is used to address someone directly, like in John 1:30 and Matthew 26:64. It's a way to emphasize or contrast the person being spoken to. The KJV Bible translates it as 'thou'.
Definition: σύ, pron. of 2nd of person(s), thou, you, genitive, σοῦ, dative, σοί, accusative, σέ, pl., ὑμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς (enclitic in oblique cases sing., except after prep. (BL, §48, 3), though πρὸς σέ occurs in Mat.25:39). Nom. for emphasis or contrast: Jhn.1:30, 4:10, 5:33, 39, 44, Act.4:7, Eph.5:32; so also perhaps σὺ εἶπας, Mat.26:64, al. (M, Pr., 86); before voc., Mat.2:6, Luk.1:76, Jhn.17:5, al.; sometimes without emphasis (M, Pr., 85f.), as also in cl., but esp. as rendering of Heb. phrase, e.g. υἱός μου εἶ σύ (בְּנִי־אַתָּה, Psa.2:7), Act.13:33. The genitive (σοῦ, ὑμῶν) is sometimes placed bef. the noun: Luk.7:48, 12:30, al.; so also the enclitic σοῦ, Mat.9:6; on τί ἐμοὶ κ. σοί, see: ἐγώ. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2041 NT verses. KJV: thou See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 Peter 1:2.
αποχωρειτε apochōreō G672 "to leave" Verb-PAM-2P
To leave or depart from a place, as seen in Matthew 7:23 and Luke 9:39. This word means to go away from someone or something. It is used to describe physical departure.
Definition: ἀπο-χωρέω, -ῶ [in LXX: Jer.46:5 (סוּג), 2Ma.4:33, 3Ma.2:33 * ;] to go away, depart, withdraw: before ἀπό, Mat.7:23, Luk.9:39, Act.13:13 (absol., Luk.20:20, Tr., mg.).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 3 NT verses. KJV: depart See also: Acts 13:13; Luke 9:39; Matthew 7:23.
απ apo G575 "away from" Prep
This word means moving away from something, like a place or a time. It's used in many parts of the Bible, like Matthew 5:29 and Luke 5:2, to show movement or separation. It can also mean because of something.
Definition: ἀπό (on the frequently neglect of elision bef. vowels, see Tdf., Pr., 94, WH, App., 146), prep. with genitive (WM, 462ff.; on its relation to ἐκ, παρά, ὑπό, ib. 456f.), [in LXX for לְ ,בְּ ,מִן ;] from (i.e. from the exterior). __1. Of separation and cessation; __(1) of motion from a place: Mat.5:29, 30 7:23, Luk.5:2 22:41, al.; __(2) in partitive sense (M, Pr., 72, 102, 245; MM, see word; Bl., §40, 2), Mat.9:16 27:21, Jhn.21:10, Act.5:2, al.; also after verbs of eating, etc.; __(3) of alienation (cl. genitive of separation), after such verbs as λούω (Deiss., BS, 227), λύω, σώζω, παύω, etc.; ἀνάθεμα ἀ., Rom.9:3; ἀποθνήσκειν ἀ., Col.2:20; σαλευθῆναι, 2Th.2:2, καθαρός, -ίζειν, ἀ. (Deiss., BS, 196, 216), Act.20:26, 2Co.7:1, Heb.9:14; __(4) of position, Mat.23:34 24:31, al.; after μακράν, Mat.8:30; transposed before measures of distance, Jhn.10:18 21:8, Rev.14:20 (Abbott, JG, 227); __(5) of time, ἀπὸ τ. ὥρας, ἡμέρας, etc., Mat.9:22, Jhn.19:27, Act.20:18, Php.1:5, al.; ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος, Luk.1:70, al.; ἀπ᾽ ἀρχῆς, etc., Mat.19:4, Rom.1:20; ἀπὸ βρέφους, 2Ti.3:15; ἀφ᾽ ἧς, since, Luk.7:45, al.; ἀπὸ τ. νῦν, Luk.1:48, al.; ἀπὸ τότε, Mat.4:17, al.; ἀπὸ πέρυσι, a year ago, 2Co.8:10 9:2; ἀπὸ πρωΐ, Act.28:23; __(6) of order or rank, ἀπὸ διετοῦς, Mat.2:16; ἀπὸ Ἀβραάμ, Mat.1:17; ἐβδομος ἀπὸ Ἀδάμ, Ju 14; ἀπὸ μικροῦ ἕως μεγάλου, Act.8:10, Heb.8:11; ἄρχεσθαι ἀπό, Mat.20:8, Jhn.8:9, Act.8:35, al. __2. Of origin; __(1) of birth, extraction, and hence, in late writers, __(a) of local extraction (cl. ἐξ; Abbott, JG, 227ff.), Mat.21:11, Mrk.15:43, Jhn.1:45, Act.10:38, al.; οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας (WM, §66, 6; M, Pr., 237; Westc, Rendall, in l.), Heb.13:24; __(b) of membership in a community or society (BL, §40, 2), Act.12:1, al.; __(with) of material (= cl. genitive; Bl. l.with; M, Pr., 102), Mat.3:4 27:21; __(d) after verbs of asking, seeking, etc., Luk.11:50, 51 1Th.2:6 (Milligan, in l.); __(2) of the cause, instrument, means or occasion (frequently = ὑπό, παρά, and after verbs of learning, hearing, knowing, etc.; Bl., §40, 3), Mat.7:16 11:29, Luk.22:45, Act.2:22 4:36 9:13 12:14, 1Co.11:23, Gal.3:2, al.; ἀπὸ τ. ὄχλου, Luk.19:3 (cf. Jhn.21:6, Act.22:11); ἀπὸ τ. φόβου, Mat.14:26, al. (cf. Mat.10:26 13:44). __3. Noteworthy Hellenistic phrases: φοβεῖσθαι ἀπό (M, Pr., 102, 107); προσέχειν ἀπό (M, Pr., 11. with; Milligan, NTD, 50); ἀπὸ νότου (Heb. מִגֶּנֶב), Rev.21:13; ἀπὸ προσώπου (מִפְּנֵי), 2Th.1:9 (Bl., §40, 9); ἀπὸ τ. καρδιῶν (בְּלֵב), Mat.18:35; ἀπὸ ὁ ὤν (WM, §10, 2; M, Pr., 9), Rev.1:4. __4. In composition, ἀπό denotes separation, departure, origin, etc. (ἀπολύω, ἀπέρχομαι, ἀπογράφω); it also has a perfective force (M, Pr., 112, 247), as in ἀφικνεῖσθαι, which see (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 600 NT verses. KJV: (X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:3; Acts 8:10; 1 Peter 1:12.
εμου egō G1473 "I/we" Pron-1GS
This is a pronoun meaning I or me, used by the speaker to refer to themselves. It is often used in the Bible to emphasize the speaker's identity.
Definition: ἐγώ, genitive, etc., ἐμοῦ, ἐμοί, ἐμέ (enclitic μου, μοι, με), pl. ἡμεῖς, -ῶν, -ῖν, -ᾶς, of person(s) pron. I. __(a) The nom. is usually emphatic, when expressed as subjc, as in Mat.3:11, Mrk.1:8, Luk.3:16, al. But often there is no apparent emphasis, as Mat.10:16, Jhn.10:17; ἰδοὺ ἐ. (= Heb. הִנֵּנִי, cf. 1Ki.3:8), Act.9:10; ἐ. (like Heb. אֲנִי), I am, Jhn.1:23 (LXX), Act.7:32 (LXX). __(b) The enclitic forms (see supr.) are used with nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, where there is no emphasis: ἐν τ. πατρί μου, Jhn.14:20; μου τ. λόγους, Mat.7:24; ὀπίσω μου, Mat.3:11; ἰσχυρότερός μου, ib.; λέγει μοι, Rev.5:5; also with the prep. πρός, as Mrk.9:19, al. The full forms (ἐμοῦ, etc.) are used with the other prepositions, as δι᾽ ἐμοῦ, ἐν ἐμοί, εἰς ἐμέ, etc., also for emphasis, as Luk.10:16, Jhn.7:23, Mrk.14:7, al. __(with) The genitive μου and ἡμῶν are often used for the poss. pronouns ἐμός, ἡμέτερος: τ. λαόν μου, Mat.2:6; μου τῂ ἀπιστιᾳ, Mrk.9:24. __(d) τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ( = Heb. מַה־לִי וָלָךְ, Jdg.11:12, al.), i.e. what have we in common: Mat.8:29, Mrk.1:24, 5:7, Luk.8:28, Jhn.2:4; τί γάρ μοι, 1Co.5:2. __(e) The interchange of ἐγώ and ἡμεῖς, common in π., appears in Pauline Epp. (see M, Pr., 86f., M, Th., 131f.). __(f) κἀγώ (= καὶ ἐγώ), and I, even I, I also: Mat.2:8, Luk.2:48, Jhn.6:56, Rom.3:7, 1Co.7:40, al.; κἀγώ . . . καί, both . . . and, Jhn.7:28. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1872 NT verses. KJV: I, me See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 16:24; 1 Peter 1:3.
οι ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NPM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
εργαζομενοι ergazomai G2038 "to work" Verb-PNP-NPM
This word means to work or labor, often implying physical or mental effort. In the Bible, it is used to describe various tasks, such as working for pay or trading. Jesus used it to teach about working for spiritual rewards.
Definition: ἐργάζομαι (ἔργον), [in LXX for עָבַד, פָּעַל, עָשָׂה, etc. ;] __1. intrans., __(a) to work, labour: Mat.21:28, Luk.13:14, Jhn.5:17 9:4 b, Act.18:3, 1Co.9:6, 2Th.3:10-12; τ. χερσίν, 1Co.4:12, 1Th.4:11; νυκτὸς κ. ἡαέρας, 1Th.2:9, 2Th.3:8; of working for pay, Mat.21:28; for reward, Rom.4:4-5; __(b) to work at a trade or business, to trade: before Iv (Dem.), Mat.25:16. __2. Trans., __(a) to work, work out, do, produce, perform: with accusative, 2Co.7:10, Col.3:23, 2Th.3:11, Jas.1:20, 2Jn.8, before εἰς, III Jn 5; ἔργον, Act.13:41 (LXX); id. before εἰς, Mat.26:10; ἐν, Mrk.14:6; ἔργα, Jhn.3:21; τὰ ἔ. τ. θεοῦ, Jhn.6:28 9:4; τὸ ἔ. κυρίου, 1Co.16:10; τ. ἀγαθόν, Rom.2:10, Eph.4:28 (see AR, Eph.) 190); id. before πρός, Gal.6:10; κακόν, before dative of person(s) (more frequently dupl. accusative, in cl.), Rom.13:10; δικαιοσύνην, Act.10:35, Heb.11:33; ἀνομίαν, Mat.7:23; ἁμαρτίαν, Jas.2:9; σημεῖον, Jhn.6:30; τ. ἱερά, 1Co.9:13; τ. θάλασσαν (work the sea, i.e. make one's living from it), Rev.18:17; __(b) to work for, earn by working (cl.): Jhn.6:27 (cf. κατ-, περι-, προσ-εργάζομαι; Cremer, 258; on the force of the aorist of this verb, see M, Pr., 116).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 37 NT verses. KJV: commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work See also: 1 Corinthians 4:12; Hebrews 11:33; James 2:9.
την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
ανομιαν anomia G458 "lawlessness" Noun-ASF
Lawlessness refers to breaking the law or acting wickedly, as mentioned in Matthew 7:23 and 13:41. It involves doing wrong and disobeying rules.
Definition: ἀνομία, -ας, ἡ (ἄνομος), [in LXX for עָוֺן, פָּשַׁע, פֶּשַׁע, תּוֹעֵבַה, רֶשַׁע, etc. ;] lawlessness, iniquity: Mat.7:23 13:41 23:28 24:12, Rom.6:19, 2Co.6:14, 2Th.2:3 2:7, Tit.2:14, Heb.1:9, 1Jn.3:4; in pl. (as LXX, Psa.31:1, al.; see 131., § 32, 6; Swete, Mk., 153), of acts or manifestations of lawlessness: Rom.4:7 (LXX), Heb.10:17.† SYN.: see: ἁμάρτημα, ἄνομος (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: iniquity, X transgress(-ion of) the law, unrighteousness See also: 1 John 3:4; Matthew 7:23; Hebrews 1:9.

Study Notes — Matthew 7:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Matthew 25:41 Then 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.
2 Psalms 6:8 Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity, for the LORD has heard my weeping.
3 Luke 13:25 After 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.’
4 Matthew 25:12 But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’
5 Luke 13:27 And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’
6 John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
7 Revelation 22:15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
8 John 10:27–30 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
9 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless, 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.”
10 Psalms 5:5 The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity.

Matthew 7:23 Summary

[This verse is a sobering reminder that claiming to know Jesus is not enough; we must have a genuine relationship with Him, as seen in Matthew 7:21-23. To be a true follower of Jesus, we must do the will of His Father in heaven, as stated in Matthew 7:21, and not just perform outward actions. We can build our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, as mentioned in Matthew 7:24-25, to ensure a strong foundation for our faith. By doing so, we can avoid being told to depart from Jesus and instead experience a deep, personal relationship with Him, as encouraged in Revelation 3:20.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be a 'worker of lawlessness' in Matthew 7:23?

To be a worker of lawlessness means to live a life that disregards God's laws and principles, even if one claims to be a follower of Jesus, as seen in Matthew 7:21-23 and also in 1 John 3:4, which defines sin as lawlessness.

How can someone who claims to know Jesus and performs miracles in His name be told to depart from Him?

This verse highlights the difference between outward actions and a genuine, heart-felt relationship with Jesus, as emphasized in Matthew 15:8 and Matthew 7:21, where Jesus teaches that only those who do the will of His Father will enter the kingdom of heaven.

Does this verse mean that our good works are not important to God?

While good works are important, as seen in James 2:26, this verse emphasizes that a relationship with Jesus is not just about what we do, but about knowing and following Him, as stated in John 17:3, where eternal life is defined as knowing God and Jesus Christ.

How can we ensure that we are not among those who are told to depart from Jesus?

We can ensure this by building our lives on the rock of Jesus' teachings, as mentioned in Matthew 7:24-25, and by cultivating a genuine, heart-felt relationship with Him, as encouraged in Revelation 3:20, where Jesus invites us to open the door to our hearts and let Him in.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be 'working lawlessness' without realizing it, and how can I align them with God's will?
  2. How can I distinguish between a superficial knowledge of Jesus and a deep, personal relationship with Him?
  3. In what ways can I build my life on the rock of Jesus' teachings, as mentioned in Matthew 7:24-25, to ensure a strong foundation for my faith?
  4. What does it mean for me to 'know' Jesus, and how can I cultivate a deeper understanding of Him in my daily life?

Gill's Exposition on Matthew 7:23

Then will I profess unto them,.... Publicly before men and angels, at the day of judgment, I never knew you; which must be understood consistent with the omniscience of Christ; for as the omniscient

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Matthew 7:23

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. And then will I profess unto them, [ homologeesoo (G3670)] - or, 'openly proclaim'-tearing off the mask -- I never knew you.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Matthew 7:23

That by that day is to be understood the day of judgment is generally agreed by interpreters. We have prophesied in thy name; that is, revealed thy will unto people; and in thy name, that is, by thy authority and power, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works, that is, wrought many miraculous operations. In the Old Testament we find Baalam and Saul prophesying, who were both wicked men. Judas was sent out (under the New Testament) both to preach and to work miracles. So as none from gifts, no, not the most eminent and extraordinary gifts, can conclude the goodness of his state, or any special favour with God. I will profess, that is, I will openly declare to them, I never knew you, that is, so as to approve you, or take pleasure in you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity: see .

Trapp's Commentary on Matthew 7:23

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Ver. 23. And then well I profess unto them, I never knew you] No, not when you professed most love to me, and did me (to see to) greatest service. I knew you well enough for "black sheep," or rather for reprobate goats; I knew you for hirelings and hypocrites, but I never knew you with a special knowledge of love, delight, and complacency. I never acknowledged, approved, and accepted your persons and performances. See Psalms 1:6; Romans 11:2. God’ s sharp nose doth easily discern, and is offended with the stinking breath of the hypocrite’ s rotten lungs, though his words be never so scented and perfumed, though his deeds be never so mantled and masked with shows of holiness. God utterly disowns and disavows all such, for if "any man have not the Spirit of God," saith Paul, the same "is none of his," Romans 8:9; be he whose he will be. And whereas he naturally delights in mercy, yet he will by no means clear the guilty; yea, he will "mock at their destruction, and laugh when their fear cometh." He will "spew them out of his mouth." Ah, he will ease him of his adversaries; and be as well paid thereof, as a man is that hath ridden his stomach of the surfeit or sick matter that clogged it, Proverbs 1:16. Quod Deus loquitur cum risu, tu legas cum fletu. Aug. Revelation 3:16; Isaiah 1:24. Depart from me] Oh direful and dreadful sentence! such as shall make their very heartstrings crack (not their ears tingle only), and their hearts fall asunder in their bosoms, like drops of water. Surely if the gentle voice of God in the "cool of the day" ( in aura diei), Genesis 3:8, were so terrible to our first parents; and if his sweet voice in the preaching of the gospel of grace be so formidable to the wicked, that Felix trembled, and the stoutest are quailed, the edge of their fury is rebated, their hearts often ache and quake within them; what will they do when the Lion of the tribe of Judah shall roar out upon them this fearful Discedite Depoart, that breathes out nothing but fire and brimstone, stings and horrors, woe and, alas, seas of vengeance, and the worm that never dieth, torments without end, and past imagination? The desperate soldiers (that would not have dreaded to dare the devil to a duel) fell before him to the ground, when, in the state of his humility, he said but, "I am he;" how will the wicked stand before him in his majesty? If Gideon’ s torches and trumpets so daunted the proud Midianites, how shall these abide the terror of the last day?

Ellicott's Commentary on Matthew 7:23

(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 Psa 15:2-3; Psalms 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.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Matthew 7:23

Verse 23. Will I profess] ομολογησω, I will fully and plainly tell them, I never knew you - I never approved of you; for so the word is used in many places, both in the Old and New Testaments. You held the truth in unrighteousness, while you preached my pure and holy doctrine; and for the sake of my own truth, and through my love to the souls of men, I blessed your preaching; but yourselves I could never esteem, because you were destitute of the spirit of my Gospel, unholy in your hearts, and unrighteous in your conduct. Alas! alas! how many preachers are there who appear prophets in their pulpits; how many writers, and other evangelical workmen, the miracles of whose labour, learning, and doctrine, we admire, who are nothing, and worse than nothing, before God, because they perform not his will, but their own? What an awful consideration, that a man of eminent gifts, whose talents are a source of public utility, should be only as a way-mark or finger-post in the way to eternal bliss, pointing out the road to others, without walking in it himself! Depart from me] What a terrible word! What a dreadful separation! Depart from ME! from the very Jesus whom you have proclaimed in union with whom alone eternal life is to be found. For, united to Christ, all is heaven; separated from him, all is hell.

Cambridge Bible on Matthew 7:23

23. I never knew you] “Never recognised you as my disciples. While my name was on your lips, your hearts were far from me.” Clement of Rome (Ep. ii:4), referring to this passage, says: “let us then not only call Him ‘Lord,’ for that will not save us;” he then quotes the words of Mat 7:21. iniquity] Literally, lawlessness.

Barnes' Notes on Matthew 7:23

Profess unto them - Say unto them; plainly declare. I never knew you - That is, I never approved of your conduct; never loved you; never regarded you as my friends. See Psalms 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Corinthians 8:3.

Whedon's Commentary on Matthew 7:23

23. I never knew you — They belong not to the apostate class; but are either self-deceivers, or juggling deluders of others, of whom Simon Magus was father. Depart from me — You belong to the dark side of the universe.

Sermons on Matthew 7:23

SermonDescription
Charles Stanley A Satanic Deception Regarding Salvation by Charles Stanley In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the true source of authority in life, death, and morality. He asserts that the final authority is found in t
Stephen Olford (I Want an Answer) Does It Matter How We Live? by Stephen Olford In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of how a person lives and builds their life. He uses the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the fool
Zac Poonen Two Types of Believers in the Last Days -Part 1 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of obedience to God in the face of deception. He highlights that knowledge alone will not help us stand in times of great dece
Keith Daniel The Mightiest Weapon God Can Have at His Disposal by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of faith accompanied by works. He quotes from the book of Matthew, where Jesus teaches that a good tree will produce good fru
Jack David Daniels 3 Ways to Hell by Jack David Daniels In this sermon, the preacher uses an illustration of a tightrope walker to emphasize the importance of belief. He shares the story of a tightrope walker who successfully pushes a w
Albert N. Martin What's Wrong With Preaching Today? by Albert N. Martin In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and weight of the Scriptures. He explains that the key to a powerful sermon lies in packing it with solid biblical substance, maki
Zac Poonen Things to Forget and Things to Remember by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of remembering and forgetting certain things in life. He refers to the Apostle Paul's attitude in Philippians 3:13, where Pau

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