Matthew 7:23

"Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’"

Key Reflection

In Matthew 7:23, Jesus challenges the notion that merely performing miracles or speaking prophetically in his name will secure a place among his followers on judgment day. The original audience would have been familiar with the practices of false prophets and miracle workers who claimed to act in Jesus' name but were not true disciples. This verse highlights the importance of genuine faith and deeds aligned with God's will, as opposed to mere outward displays or claims of association with Christ.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 23. Profess unto them. Say unto them; plainly declare. I never knew you. That is, I never approved, loved, or regarded you as my friends. See Ps 1:6; 2 Ti 2:19; 1 Co 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 had once known them, and then rejected them; that they had been once Christians and then had fallen away; that they had been pardoned, and then had apostatized; but that he had never known them--THEY HAD NEVER BEEN TRUE CHRISTIANS.

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