Matthew 7:22
Encyclopedia
Matthew 7:22 is the twenty-second 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.
In the King James Version of the Bible
the text reads:
The World English Bible
translates the passage as:
For a collection of other versions see BibRef Matthew 7:22
In the previous verse Jesus mentioned that there would be those who had called him Lord (kyrie
) who would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven
. In this verse he notes that even some who have performed miracles in his name would also be excluded. The verse does not deny that these unholy may have made correct prophecies and driven out demons. These were acts that in that era were commonly attributed to teachers and mystics. Davies and Allison note that Jesus never calls upon his followers to perform such feats. Rather in the previous verses he calls for basic charity and piety. To Davies and Allison this verse is a special condemnation of mighty works, and emphasizes the importance of lesser works that might not bring fame to the practitioner. This verse has also been used as evidence by Protestants for the doctrine of justification by faith.
This is return to the theme of the parable of the narrow door of Matthew 7:13
, with the word many emphasizing that there is a considerable number of individuals who claim special dispensation from Jesus, but who will not be admitted to the kingdom. Unlike the wolves in sheep's clothing at Matthew 7:15
, these charismatics seem surprised to be condemned and to have believed themselves to be holy. The phrase "in that day" is a clear eschatological link to the Last Judgement. The phrasing of the verse makes it clear that the voice speaking is of those who have already been condemned and who are appealing to Jesus. This is evidence for the standard interpretation that in these verses God the Father is the ultimate judge, and Jesus plays a secondary role as an advocate or witness.
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
in the New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
and is part of the Sermon on the Mount
Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings and teachings of Jesus, which emphasizes his moral teaching found in the Gospel of Matthew...
. This verse continues Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
' warning against false prophets.
In the King James Version of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
the text reads:
- Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we
- not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast
- out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
The World English Bible
World English Bible
The World English Bible is a public domain translation of the Bible that is currently in draft form. Work on the World English Bible began in 1997 and was known as the American Standard Version 1997...
translates the passage as:
- Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t
- we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out
- demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’
For a collection of other versions see BibRef Matthew 7:22
In the previous verse Jesus mentioned that there would be those who had called him Lord (kyrie
Kyrie
Kyrie, a transliteration of Greek κύριε , vocative case of κύριος , meaning "Lord", is the common name of an important prayer of Christian liturgy, which is also called the Kýrie, eléison ....
) who would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven is a foundational concept in the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.The term "Kingdom of God" is found in all four canonical gospels and in the Pauline epistles...
. In this verse he notes that even some who have performed miracles in his name would also be excluded. The verse does not deny that these unholy may have made correct prophecies and driven out demons. These were acts that in that era were commonly attributed to teachers and mystics. Davies and Allison note that Jesus never calls upon his followers to perform such feats. Rather in the previous verses he calls for basic charity and piety. To Davies and Allison this verse is a special condemnation of mighty works, and emphasizes the importance of lesser works that might not bring fame to the practitioner. This verse has also been used as evidence by Protestants for the doctrine of justification by faith.
This is return to the theme of the parable of the narrow door of Matthew 7:13
Matthew 7:13
Matthew 7:13 is the thirteenth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount...
, with the word many emphasizing that there is a considerable number of individuals who claim special dispensation from Jesus, but who will not be admitted to the kingdom. Unlike the wolves in sheep's clothing at Matthew 7:15
Matthew 7:15
Matthew 7:15 is the fifteenth verse of the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount...
, these charismatics seem surprised to be condemned and to have believed themselves to be holy. The phrase "in that day" is a clear eschatological link to the Last Judgement. The phrasing of the verse makes it clear that the voice speaking is of those who have already been condemned and who are appealing to Jesus. This is evidence for the standard interpretation that in these verses God the Father is the ultimate judge, and Jesus plays a secondary role as an advocate or witness.