Matthew 7:23

Matthew 7:23 is the twenty-third verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse continues Jesus' warning against false prophets.

Matthew 7:23
← 7:22
7:24 →
"The Sermon on the Mount" by Nikolay Lomtev (1816–1858), before 1858.
BookGospel of Matthew
Christian Bible partNew Testament

Content

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:

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

The World English Bible translates the passage as:

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

For a collection of other versions see BibleHub Matthew 7:23

Analysis

The previous verse featured charismatic miracle workers appealing to Jesus at the Last Judgment after being condemned even after performing miraculous acts. This verse is Jesus' response.

This verse gives evidence for what the author of Matthew believed Jesus' role would be at the Last Judgment, an important Christological question. Hare believes that the wording makes clear that Jesus is not the judge, but is rather a witness or advocate before God. Jesus does not use the language of a judge. The word translated as profess/tell is a specific legal term that was used by a witness in a court of law while making a statement.[1] France and Schweizer disagree, and believe that in these verses Jesus is presenting himself as the judge at the Last Judgment.[2][3]

The final part of the verse is a reference to Psalm 6:8.[4] It is also rooted in Jewish legal traditions. "Depart from me" is a phrase of renunciation to be used against those who have been expelled from the community. "You mean nothing to me" was an equivalent, if stronger, possible phrase.[5] The phrase translated as "you who work iniquity," literally means "you who break the law." Alternative translations are evildoers or lawbreakers. There is debate amongst scholars over whether this is a specific reference to the Law of Moses. Christian churches have long rejected the need to follow the Mosaic codes, but some scholars believe that the author of Matthew did believe that they needed to be obeyed.

References
  1. Hare, Douglas R. A. Matthew. Interpretation, a Bible commentary for teaching and preaching. Westminster John Knox Press, 1993
  2. France, R.T. The Gospel According to Matthew: an Introduction and Commentary. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1985. pg. 149
  3. Schweizer, Eduard. The Good News According to Matthew. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1975 pg. 188
  4. Hill, David. The Gospel of Matthew. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1981 pg. 152
  5. Hare, Douglas R. A. Matthew. Interpretation, a Bible commentary for teaching and preaching. Westminster John Knox Press, 1993
Preceded by
Matthew 7:22		 Gospel of Matthew
Chapter 7		 Succeeded by
Matthew 7:24
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