What did Jesus mean when He said, “I never knew you. Depart from me"? | GotQuestions.org

In the biblical context, Jesus' statement 'I never knew you. Depart from me' refers to a lack of a true relationship with Him, rather than a lack of intellectual knowledge. This phrase is part of His warning about false faith in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus distinguishes between those who merely claim to follow Him and those who genuinely do the Father's will, emphasizing that only the latter will enter heaven. The passage underscores the importance of having a genuine faith in Jesus, producing good works, and avoiding hypocrisy.

Takeaways

• 📜 Jesus' statement “I never knew you. Depart from me” is not about a lack of intellectual knowledge, but rather a lack of relational knowledge.
• 🔍 The context of this statement is found in Matthew 7:23, where Jesus is concluding His Sermon on the Mount with a warning about false faith.
• ⚠️ Jesus warns of false prophets who may appear as wolves in sheep’s clothing, using religious language and performing miracles, but are not true followers.
• 🔑 True faith is not demonstrated by verbal claims or nominal Christianity, but by doing the will of the Father in heaven.
• 📖 The Father’s will, as explained by Jesus, is to believe in Him who has been sent – Jesus Christ.
• 🌟 Those who are born again by faith in Christ will produce good works to the glory of God.
• 🚫 When Jesus says He never knew the false disciples, He is indicating that He does not recognize them as His true followers or friends.
• ❌ There was never a true relationship between Jesus and the false disciples; despite their religious fervor, they had no intimacy with Christ.
• 💔 The importance lies in God knowing us, rather than us merely knowing about God.
• 🐑 God knows His true followers, as illustrated by the shepherd knowing His sheep.
• 🚷 The words “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” show Jesus' omniscience and the condemnation of hypocrisy.
• ⛔ Those who Jesus does not know are the fake Christians, false teachers, and nominal adherents who will face eternal separation from Him.

Q & A

What is the meaning behind Jesus' statement 'I never knew you. Depart from me'?

Jesus' statement refers to a lack of relational knowledge, not intellectual knowledge, indicating that He does not recognize those who claim to follow Him but do not truly belong to Him.

In the context of Matthew 7:23, who are the 'evildoers' that Jesus is addressing?

The 'evildoers' are false Christian prophets and nominal Christians who may use religious language and perform miracles but do not have a genuine relationship with God or follow His will.

What is the main message of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, particularly in the passage leading up to Matthew 7:23?

The main message is the importance of true faith and obedience to God's will, rather than just verbal claims or displays of spiritual power.

What does it mean to do the 'will of the Father' according to Jesus?

To do the will of the Father means to have faith in Jesus as God's Son and to produce good works to the glory of God.

How does the Bible define a true follower of Jesus?

A true follower of Jesus is one who is born again by faith in Christ and produces the fruit of the Spirit, living a life that honors God.

What is the significance of the phrase 'I never knew you' in Jesus' judgment of the false disciples?

The phrase signifies that Jesus never had a true relationship with these individuals, as they were not genuine in their faith and did not follow His teachings.

What does the Bible say about the relationship between knowing God and being known by God?

The Bible teaches that those who love and seek God will be known by Him, and that true intimacy with Christ is essential for salvation.

How does the passage in Matthew 7:23 relate to the concept of hypocrisy in the Bible?

The passage highlights the condemnation of hypocrisy, where individuals may outwardly appear religious but inwardly lack genuine faith and a true relationship with God.

What are the consequences for those who are told 'depart from me' in Matthew 7:23?

They will not enter the kingdom of heaven but will face eternal separation from God, experiencing weeping and gnashing of teeth in darkness.

What is the only work of God that counts, according to John 6:29?

The only work of God that counts is to have faith in the one He sent, which is Jesus Christ.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Biblical Interpretation of 'I Never Knew You'

This paragraph delves into the biblical perspective of Jesus' statement, 'I never knew you.' It clarifies that Jesus is not speaking of a lack of knowledge in a cognitive sense, but rather in a relational context. The paragraph is set within the context of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He warns against false prophets and emphasizes the importance of true faith and doing the will of God. The summary explains that merely claiming to follow Jesus or performing miracles in His name is insufficient for salvation. Instead, it is the faith in Jesus and the performance of good works, as a result of that faith, which are crucial. The paragraph also explores the concept of God's will, as revealed in the Gospel of John, and the importance of being 'known' by God, as discussed by the Apostle Paul.

05:05

⚖️ The Consequences of Rejecting God's Plan

The second paragraph addresses the serious implications of those who reject God's purpose for their lives. It discusses how such individuals, despite engaging in religious practices, are not truly known by Jesus and are considered 'evildoers.' The paragraph highlights the warning that those who do not follow God's will, even if they perform many religious works, will face eternal separation from Him. It emphasizes that salvation is not achieved by one's own works but through faith in Jesus Christ. The paragraph concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to subscribe for more content and to seek further understanding of biblical teachings.

Keywords

Jesus

Jesus is the central figure of Christianity, believed by adherents to be the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. In the video, Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount, specifically Matthew 7:23, are analyzed to understand their meaning in the context of true faith and false prophets. His statement 'I never knew you' is not about a lack of intellectual knowledge but rather a denial of a relational connection with those who do not follow God's will.

Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount refers to a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus Christ that are found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5–7. It is one of the most significant sections of the New Testament and contains many famous parables and teachings, such as the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer. In the video, the context of the Sermon on the Mount is crucial for understanding Jesus' warning about false faith and the importance of doing the will of God the Father.

False Prophets

False prophets are individuals who claim to speak for God or have divine insights but do not. They may use religious language and perform acts that appear miraculous, yet they are not genuinely connected to God or His teachings. In the video, Jesus warns about such individuals, stating that despite their claims and actions, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven if they do not truly follow God's will.

True Faith

True faith, in the context of the video, refers to a genuine belief in Jesus Christ and commitment to following God's will, as opposed to a nominal or superficial claim of belief. It involves a personal relationship with God, obedience to His commands, and the production of good works as a result of one's faith. True faith is what ultimately leads to salvation and acceptance by God.

God's Will

God's will, as discussed in the video, refers to the divine plan and commands set forth by God for human beings to follow. It involves believing in Jesus Christ, obeying His commandments, and living a life that reflects this faith. Doing God's will is the key to entering the kingdom of heaven and being recognized by Jesus as His own.

Born Again

The term 'born again' is used in Christianity to describe the spiritual rebirth that occurs when a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ, resulting in a new spiritual life. It is a transformation that leads to good works and a desire to live according to God's will. In the video, being born again is presented as essential for producing the fruit of the Spirit and avoiding the works of the flesh.

Fruit of the Spirit

The 'fruit of the Spirit' refers to the positive qualities and characteristics that are produced in the life of a believer as a result of the Holy Spirit's work within them. These fruits include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). In the video, it is suggested that those who are truly known by God will produce the fruit of the Spirit, whereas those Jesus says He never knew will produce the opposite, the works of the flesh.

Works of the Flesh

The 'works of the flesh' are the negative behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to God's will and are associated with a life lived independently of the Holy Spirit's guidance. These include sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, and other sins (Galatians 5:19–21). In the video, it is emphasized that those whom Jesus tells 'I never knew you' are characterized by such works, and thus they will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Eternal Separation

Eternal separation is the concept of being forever cut off from God's presence as a result of rejecting His grace and choosing to live in sin. This separation is often associated with the consequences of not accepting Jesus Christ as one's Savior and not living according to God's will. In the video, those who are told 'I never knew you' face eternal separation as they have not truly followed God's plan for their lives.

Judgment Day

Judgment Day, also known as the Day of Judgment, is a future event in Christian eschatology when Jesus Christ will return to judge all people based on their actions and beliefs during their lifetime. It is a time when justice will be served, and the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life, while the unrighteous will face eternal consequences. In the video, Jesus' words on Judgment Day are highlighted to emphasize the importance of genuine faith and obedience to God's will.

God's Plan

God's plan refers to the divine purpose or blueprint that God has for the universe and for each individual's life. It involves God's will for human beings to be in relationship with Him, to live according to His commandments, and to share in His redemptive work through Jesus Christ. In the video, those who reject God's plan and choose darkness over light are the ones who will be told 'I never knew you' by Jesus, facing eternal separation.

Highlights

Jesus' words 'I never knew you' refer to a relational, not intellectual, knowledge.

The context of this statement is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, warning about true faith.

False prophets may use 'God talk' and display power but do not belong to the Lord.

Only those who do the Father's will and are known of God will enter heaven.

The Father's will is to believe in Jesus, as stated in John 6:28–29.

Faith in Christ leads to good works, as explained in Ephesians 2:10.

Jesus did not recognize false disciples as His true followers or friends.

Jesus' statement indicates that there was never a true relationship with these individuals.

What matters is not just knowing God, but being known by Him, as explained in 1 Corinthians 8:3 and Galatians 4:9.

False Christians are described as hypocrites in Isaiah 29:13.

Those who are not true followers will not partake in the blessings of the kingdom.

The works of the flesh, rather than the fruit of the Spirit, will be produced by those Jesus does not know.

At judgment, individuals will not be justified by their own works but by faith in Jesus.

Jesus' condemnation of false followers is a result of their rejection of God's plan.

God does not delight in sending people to hell, but those who reject the gospel choose darkness.

The only work of God that counts is having faith in Jesus, as stated in John 6:29.

Jesus, as the Righteous Judge, condemns those who do not truly follow Him to eternal separation.

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