The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 - 7
Chapter 7
Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of
my Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name
cast out demons, and in your name do many wonderful works?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away
from me, you evildoers!'
What does this mean?
Explanation of Matthew 7:21-23
This passage is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He addresses the importance of genuine faith and obedience
over mere verbal profession and outward deeds. Here’s a detailed biblical explanation of each part:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven,"
- Explanation: Jesus begins by emphasizing that not all who call Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven. The
repetition of "Lord" indicates a degree of earnestness or emphasis, but verbal acknowledgment alone is
insufficient. This statement underscores that genuine faith involves more than just words.
"but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven."
- Explanation: Entry into the kingdom of heaven requires doing the will of God. This means living in obedience to
God's commands and aligning one's life with His will. Genuine faith is demonstrated through actions that reflect
God's character and purposes.
"Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons,
and in your name do many wonderful works?'"
- Explanation: Jesus describes a future scenario ("on that day" likely refers to the Day of Judgment) where many
will claim to have done impressive works in His name. They mention prophesying, casting out demons, and
performing miracles—all significant religious activities. This shows that even those who perform remarkable
deeds in Jesus' name can be self-deceived if their actions are not rooted in true faith and obedience.
"Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'"
- Explanation: Despite their claims, Jesus will reject these individuals, stating that He never knew them. This
indicates a lack of a true relationship with Him. Knowing Jesus involves a personal, intimate relationship
marked by obedience and genuine faith. The term "evildoers" reveals that their impressive deeds were not
accompanied by righteous living. Their actions, though seemingly good, were tainted by disobedience and
insincerity.
Summary:
In this passage, Jesus teaches that entering the kingdom of heaven requires more than just verbal profession of
faith and outward religious activities. True discipleship involves doing the will of God, which is demonstrated
through obedience and righteous living. Jesus warns that many who perform impressive religious deeds in His name may
still be rejected if their actions are not rooted in genuine faith and obedience. He emphasizes the importance of a
personal relationship with Him, marked by knowing and being known by Him, which is evidenced by living according to
God's will. This teaching challenges believers to examine their faith and ensure it is genuine, not merely
superficial or based on outward appearances.
