What Does Luke 13:26 Mean in the King James?

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

Luke 13:26 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The speakers offer being in the teacher’s sight as proof of being known, though “in thy presence” describes where they were, not whether he recognized them.

THE MEANING

You name meals shared before the teacher and lessons heard in your streets. The verse exposes the gap between access to someone’s presence and being known by them.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the assumption that hearing the teacher or sharing his table guarantees that he knows you.

THE ROOT

ἐνώπιον

enōpion

GROWS FROM

⁨ὤψ⁩ (ōps) / ⁨ὀπ-⁩ (op-)

Eye or face; by extension, the field of sight.

The claim is literally that they ate and drank before his eyes: enōpion places them within someone’s sight. The word reveals a distinction English “presence” can blur, being visible to someone is not yet being recognized by them.

ALSO GROWS

opsis: sight, view, or appearance

ὄψις

This related sight-word makes the claim concrete: they were within the teacher’s view.

enōpios: in view of, or before someone

ἐνώπιος

This related form keeps the focus on location before another’s eyes, which is the evidence the speakers offer.

THE PATTERN

Public closeness to teaching and worship does not by itself establish recognition.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Isaiah 29:13 · KJVWords of honor and religious instruction mark outward closeness, while the verse names a distance that those signs do not resolve.

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

Matthew 7:23 · KJVThe speakers appeal to their deeds, but the answer identifies recognition as the missing relation.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

John 10:14 · KJVThis describes the mutual knowing that public access or familiarity alone cannot establish.

THE THREAD

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Luke 13:27 · KJV

This is the reply to the claim in verse 26: shared meals and heard teaching are met with “I know you not whence ye are.” The hinge is recognition, not proximity; the sight-word in “presence” sharpens that contrast.

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