And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus uses the word "profess" here in a powerful, mirrored way: just as believers are called to openly "profess" their allegiance to Him, He will openly "profess" His lack of recognition for these individuals. This isn't about a temporary lapse in relationship; it's a stark declaration that their claim of knowing Him was never met with His true knowledge of them.
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is concluding his Sermon on the Mount, shifting from teaching about the Kingdom's values to the reality of judgment. He's just described two paths, one narrow leading to life and one wide leading to destruction, and now he paints a vivid picture of those who claim allegiance but lived outside God's will. This verse is the climactic declaration of rejection those who outwardly performed religious acts but inwardly practiced lawlessness will face on the final day.
Imagine standing before the ultimate Judge, and Jesus, instead of welcoming you, says something utterly shocking. What does His declaration reveal about His role and our relationship with Him?
Jesus’ words, “And then will I profess unto them,” are spoken from the perspective of the divine Judge. The Greek word here, often translated as ‘profess’ or ‘confess,’ is used in contexts of public, open acknowledgment. Think of it like Jesus making a formal, undeniable statement on the final day.
A Public Pronouncement
This isn't a private conversation; it's a public declaration before everyone. It echoes His promise in Matthew 10:32: “So, whoever confesses me before men, I also will confess before my Father who is in heaven.” The confession He acknowledges there isn't just saying 'Lord, Lord,' but a loyal life of obedience. Here, Jesus openly dis-acknowledges those who claimed Him, revealing that His judgment is a public unveiling of true hearts. The weight of His authority as Judge is immense, making this a definitive and final pronouncement.
What does Jesus mean when He says, 'I never knew you'? Does it mean He forgot them, or something more profound about the nature of true relationship?
The core of the condemnation lies in "I never knew you." This doesn't imply a loss of memory or a change of heart on Jesus’ part. Instead, it points to a fundamental lack of genuine, saving relationship from the very beginning.
A Relationship of Approval and Heart-Sympathy
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Commentators suggest that 'knowing' here means more than just being aware of someone's existence. It signifies approval, love, and intimate knowledge that comes from shared life and genuine connection.
Why does Jesus specifically call them 'workers of lawlessness' instead of just 'sinners'? What does this precise term reveal about their underlying problem?
Jesus’ final indictment is sharp: "depart from me, you workers of lawlessness" (or 'iniquity'). The term 'lawlessness' (Greek: anomia) is crucial here. It’s not just about breaking a specific rule, but about a deep-seated rejection of God’s rightful authority and order.
Rejecting Divine Order
Understand the original words
anomia · Greek Noun
A state of being characterized by a rejection of God's revealed instruction. It is the active opposition to or disregard for divine moral standards and law.
This parallel passage in Luke directly echoes Jesus' declaration, stating 'But he will say, “I do not know where you come from.”' highlighting the same theme of unrecognized belonging before God.
2 Timothy 2:19This verse provides a foundational theological concept for Jesus' pronouncement, stating 'But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his.”' It emphasizes that true knowledge by God is the ultimate test of belonging, not outward actions or claims.
Psalm 6:8The command 'Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!' in Matthew 7:23 is a direct echo of Psalm 6:8 (in the Septuagint translation), showing the ancient roots of God's judgment against those who practice lawlessness.
1 John 2:19This passage addresses those who left the community with the poignant observation, 'They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us.' This directly supports the idea that outward association doesn't equate to true, enduring connection with Christ, aligning with Jesus' 'I never knew you' in Matthew.
Matthew 25:41The condemnation here is similar to the judgment described in Matthew 25:41, where Jesus says to those on the left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.' This reinforces the imagery of separation and judgment for those who are not aligned with God's will.
vincentMatthew 7:23: "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Profess (ὁμολογήσω)The word which is used elsewhere of open confession of Christ before men (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9); of John's public declaration that he was not the Christ (John 1:20); of Herod's promise to Salome in the presence of his guests (Matthew 14:7). Here, therefore, of Christ's open, public declaration as Judge of the world. "There is great authority in this saying," rem…
barnesMatthew 7:23: "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
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 Psalm 1:6; 2 Timothy 2:19; 1 Corinthians 8:3. This proves that, with all their pretensions, they had never been true followers of Christ. Jesus will not then say to false prophets and false professors of religion that he h…
Jesus uses the word "profess" here in a powerful, mirrored way: just as believers are called to openly "profess" their allegiance to Him, He will openly "profess" His lack of recognition for these individuals. This isn't about a temporary lapse in relationship; it's a stark declaration that their claim of knowing Him was never met with His true knowledge of them.
Jesus is concluding his Sermon on the Mount, shifting from teaching about the Kingdom's values to the reality of judgment. He's just described two paths, one narrow leading to life and one wide leading to destruction, and now he paints a vivid picture of those who claim allegiance but lived outside God's will. This verse is the climactic declaration of rejection those who outwardly performed religious acts but inwardly practiced lawlessness will face on the final day.
Jesus is concluding his Sermon on the Mount, shifting from teaching about the Kingdom's values to the reality of judgment. He's just described two paths, one narrow leading to life and one wide leading to destruction, and now he paints a vivid picture of those who claim allegiance but lived outside God's will. This verse is the climactic declaration of rejection those who outwardly performed religious acts but inwardly practiced lawlessness will face on the final day.
"And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" — Jesus uses the word "profess" here in a powerful, mirrored way: just as believers are called to openly "profess" their allegiance to Him, He will openly "profess" His lack of recognition for these in…
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Last reviewed October 2026