Luke 13:25-27
When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "I do not know where you come from" is more than just a dismissal; it signifies a fundamental lack of belonging. It implies they aren't part of his household or family, a chilling recognition that outward participation doesn't guarantee inner acceptance. This moment reveals that God's knowledge of us is rooted in relationship, not just association.
Jesus has just been talking about the urgency of entering God's kingdom, contrasting it with the small number of people who will truly seek it. Now, he uses a vivid image of a homeowner locking up for the night, emphasizing that a time is coming when the opportunity to enter will be gone forever. Those who were complacent and didn't enter when invited will then desperately try to get in, only to find the door shut and the master denying he even knows them.
Imagine the most crucial moment – a door is about to be shut forever. What does this imagery tell us about God's timing and our opportunities?
This verse paints a vivid picture of a finality that is both sobering and urgent.
A Definitive Closing
Jesus describes a moment when the 'master of the house' rises and shuts the door. This isn't a temporary closure; it signifies a point of no return. The opportunity to enter has passed. It’s a powerful metaphor for God’s judgment and the established boundaries of His kingdom.
The Urgency of 'Now'
While we often focus on the knocking, the critical element here is the 'when once' – from the moment the door is shut. This emphasizes that there is a present season of grace and opportunity. The Lord is currently inviting people in, and the door is open. But this season is not eternal. This imagery calls us to recognize the importance of responding to God's call now, before that definitive moment arrives.
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What does it mean to earnestly call out 'Lord, Lord' and still hear, 'I do not know you'?
This is one of the most challenging and revealing parts of the passage. It speaks directly to a false sense of security that can develop even within religious circles.
The Futility of Late Recognition
The people in Jesus' illustration don't just passively accept their exclusion. They 'begin to stand outside and to knock,' crying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' They are insistent, perhaps even shocked that their pleas aren't immediately answered. The repeated 'Lord, Lord' shows their desperate attempt to establish a relationship and gain entry.
The Master's Unsettling Response
But the master's reply is devastating: 'I do not know where you come from.' This isn't about forgetting their names. The commentators suggest 'whence' relates to their origin and belonging – they were never truly part of his household, despite their proximity or actions. It implies a lack of genuine, intimate relationship. Their familiarity, their supposed connection, is revealed as superficial when measured against the master's true knowledge of his own.
Beyond Outer Forms
This highlights a critical truth: outward religious activity, even claiming the title 'Lord,' is insufficient if it's not rooted in genuine, saving faith and a true relationship with Christ. The Jews in Jesus’ audience, and indeed all people, are warned against assuming their heritage or religious practices guarantee entry.
Understand the original words
oikodespotēs · Greek Noun
Refers to the head of a household who exercises authority over who may enter; in this context, it represents God or Christ as the Judge of entrance into the kingdom.
ergatai adikias · Greek Phrase (Noun)
One who practices wickedness or lawlessness; specifically, those who reject the truth of God and persist in disobedience, standing in contrast to those who live in righteousness.
Jesus's words here echo the historical exiles and destruction of Jerusalem, reminding his listeners that opportunities for God's kingdom are not guaranteed forever. Just as past generations faced the shutting of doors due to rebellion and neglect, so too will individuals face ultimate judgment if they fail to heed God's persistent call to enter His kingdom while it is still open.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Captivity Begins
The Assyrian Empire begins deporting northern Israelite tribes, breaking up communities and scattering populations. This marks the start of a larger trend of forced displacement for the Israelites, sowing seeds of exile and loss.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judeans, including members of the royal family and skilled laborers, to Babylon. This event represents a significant disruption and loss of national sovereignty.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the majority of the remaining population. This is the nadir of Jewish history, a profound national and religious catastrophe.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Begins Public Ministry
Jesus starts teaching and healing, proclaiming the nearness of the Kingdom of God. His message challenges the religious establishment and calls people to repentance and a new way of life.
c. 30-33 AD— this verse
Jesus Teaches Parables of the Kingdom
Throughout his ministry, Jesus uses parables like the one about the householder and the door to illustrate the nature of God's kingdom, the importance of readiness, and the consequences of rejecting God's call.
c. 40-60 AD
Early Church Spreads the Gospel
The apostles and early followers of Jesus spread the message of salvation throughout the Roman Empire, reaching both Jewish and Gentile communities. This period sees the rapid expansion of the Christian movement.
This passage echoes the theme of a false claim to entrance, where those who perform miracles in Jesus' name are rejected because they did not do the will of the Father, highlighting that outward actions aren't enough for God's approval.
Matthew 25:10-12Similar to the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, this passage illustrates a point of no return after the door is shut, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and the finality of judgment.
Luke 12:36This verse presents a parallel image of servants waiting for their master to return and open the door for them, contrasting with Luke 13:25 where the master shuts the door, underscoring the different perspectives of those inside versus those shut out.
John 10:9Jesus states 'I am the door,' offering a stark contrast to the shut door in Luke 13:25, highlighting that the opportunity to enter through Him is available now, but will not be indefinitely.
Galatians 4:30Quoting Genesis, Paul uses the allegory of the slave woman and the free woman's son to show that not all who claim a spiritual heritage are truly heirs, mirroring Luke 13:25's theme of those excluded despite their perceived connection.
vincentLuke 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:"
When once (ἀφ' ou)Lit., from the time that. Compare Luke 13:7. Some editors connect this with the previous sentence: "Shall not be able when once," etc.Whence (πόθεν)Of what family. Ye do not belong to my household. See John 7:27 : "We know whence he…
calvinLuke 13:25-30: "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:"
- And when the master of the house shall have arisen, and shall have shut the door, and you shall begin to stand without and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us: and he answering shall say to you, I know not whence you are: 26. Th…
The phrase "I do not know where you come from" is more than just a dismissal; it signifies a fundamental lack of belonging. It implies they aren't part of his household or family, a chilling recognition that outward participation doesn't guarantee inner acceptance. This moment reveals that God's knowledge of us is rooted in relationship, not just association.
Jesus has just been talking about the urgency of entering God's kingdom, contrasting it with the small number of people who will truly seek it. Now, he uses a vivid image of a homeowner locking up for the night, emphasizing that a time is coming when the opportunity to enter will be gone forever. Those who were complacent and didn't enter when invited will then desperately try to get in, only to find the door shut and the master denying he even knows them.
Jesus has just been talking about the urgency of entering God's kingdom, contrasting it with the small number of people who will truly seek it. Now, he uses a vivid image of a homeowner locking up for the night, emphasizing that a time is coming when the opportunity to enter will be gone forever. Those who were complacent and didn't enter when invited will then desperately try to get in, only to find the door shut and the master denying he even knows them.
"When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘…" — The phrase "I do not know where you come from" is more than just a dismissal; it signifies a fundamental lack of belonging. It implies they aren't part of his household or family, a chilling recognit…
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