What Does Matthew 7:23 Mean in the King James?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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 verse locates the dividing line in being known by Jesus, while the workers’ deeds are named as lawlessness.
THE MEANING
This verse confronts the reader with the possibility that conspicuous religious activity can remain outside the life Jesus recognizes. It names the workers’ practice as ἀνομία, action without or against instruction, and its severest words are relational: “I never knew you.” The text holds those together now: what a person does and whether they are known by him.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that impressive religious works guarantee recognition by Jesus.
THE ROOT
ἔγνων
egnōn
GROWS FROM
γινώσκω (ginōskō), with the stem γνω- (gnō-)
To know or recognize through relationship and encounter.
The word points beyond having information about someone: “I never knew you” speaks of an absent relationship and recognition. The verse makes that absence more decisive than the workers’ claims about their deeds.
ALSO GROWS
gnōsis: knowledge
γνώσις
This related word shows the same knowing family, while Matthew’s verb makes knowing personal: “you.”
epiginōskō: recognize, come to know
ἐπιγινώσκω
This compound shares the knowing root and highlights recognition, the relational force carried by Jesus’ words.
ἀνομία
anomía
GROWS FROM
νόμος (nomos), with privative ἀ- (a-)
νόμος means law or instruction; with the privative prefix, ἀνομία means lawlessness, action without or against that instruction.
“Iniquity” here carries the concrete sense of lawlessness: work that runs outside or against instruction. The verse places that pattern beside the words “I never knew you,” joining the workers’ deeds with their lack of relationship.
ALSO GROWS
nomos: law, instruction
νόμος
This is the base word inside ἀνομία; its presence reveals the instruction that the workers’ practice disregards.
anomos: lawless, without law
ἄνομος
This related form makes explicit the lawlessness contained in ἀνομία.
THE PATTERN
Scripture treats being known by God as deeper than ritual output or religious performance.
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.But if any man love God, the same is known of him.THE THREAD
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.Matthew’s “knew” and Paul’s “known” use γινώσκω (ginōskō), to know or recognize through relationship. The shared verb opens Matthew’s warning as a question of recognition, not merely public claims or works.
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