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

Got Questions Ministries
22 Jun 202206:28

TLDRIn the video, the speaker explores Jesus' words 'I never knew you. Depart from me,' from Matthew 7:23. It clarifies that Jesus is referring to a lack of relational, not intellectual, knowledge. The context is His warning against false prophets and nominal Christians during the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus emphasizes that only those who truly follow God's will and have faith in Him will enter heaven, not those who merely claim to know Him or perform religious acts without genuine faith.

Takeaways

  • 📖 Jesus' statement 'I never knew you. Depart from me' refers to a lack of relational knowledge, not intellectual knowledge.
  • ⚠️ Jesus warned about false prophets appearing as wolves in sheep's clothing during His Sermon on the Mount.
  • 🔑 True faith is necessary for entering the kingdom of heaven; mere verbal claims or displays of power are insufficient.
  • 👥 Those who perform religious acts but do not truly know Jesus are considered evildoers and will be sent away from His presence.
  • ✝️ The Father's will is to believe in the Son, Jesus Christ, as stated in John 6:28-29 and 1 John 3:23.
  • 🌱 True believers, born again by faith in Christ, will produce good works to the glory of God.
  • ❌ Jesus' statement 'I never knew you' indicates there was never a genuine relationship with those He addresses.
  • ❤️ Knowing God on a relational level is more important than merely knowing about God.
  • 🐑 Jesus knows His sheep and tends to them like a shepherd, as described in John 10:14 and Isaiah 40:11.
  • 🚫 False Christians and nominal adherents of religion will not partake in the blessings of the kingdom but will face eternal separation from God.

Q & A

  • What did Jesus mean by 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you evildoers!'?

    -Jesus was referring to a lack of relational knowledge rather than intellectual knowledge. He was speaking to those who claimed to follow Him but did not truly know Him or do the will of God.

  • In what context did Jesus make this statement?

    -Jesus made this statement as a final warning in His Sermon on the Mount, addressing the issue of true faith and the coming of false prophets.

  • What is the difference between intellectual knowledge and relational knowledge as used in this context?

    -Intellectual knowledge refers to knowing about something or someone, while relational knowledge implies a deeper, personal connection or relationship.

  • How does Jesus define true faith in this context?

    -True faith, according to Jesus, is not just verbal claims or demonstrations of spiritual insight or power, but doing the will of God, which is to believe in Jesus Christ.

  • What is the will of the Father according to Jesus?

    -The will of the Father, as stated by Jesus, is to believe in Him, the one He has sent, and to produce good works as a result of this faith.

  • How does the script differentiate between a true Christian and a false one?

    -A true Christian is defined by their faith in Christ and the good works they produce, while a false Christian may claim to follow Jesus but lacks a genuine relationship with Him and does not do the will of God.

  • What is the significance of the phrase 'I never knew you' in relation to the false disciples?

    -The phrase signifies that Jesus did not recognize them as His true disciples or friends, indicating a lack of genuine relationship and intimacy with Him.

  • What does it mean to be 'known by God' according to the script?

    -Being 'known by God' means having a personal relationship with Him, being part of His flock, and being guided and loved by Him as His own.

  • How does the script describe the fate of those who Jesus says He never knew?

    -Those whom Jesus says He never knew are described as fake Christians, false teachers, and nominal adherents of religion who will be cast away from His presence and not partake in the blessings of the kingdom.

  • What is the ultimate consequence for those who are told to 'Depart from me' in the script?

    -The ultimate consequence is eternal separation from Jesus and exclusion from the kingdom of heaven, experiencing weeping and gnashing of teeth in darkness.

  • What does the script suggest as the key to avoiding the fate of those Jesus condemns?

    -The key is to have genuine faith in Jesus Christ, doing the will of God, and producing the fruit of the Spirit, thus avoiding the works of the flesh and hypocrisy.

Outlines

00:00

😇 True Faith and the Paradox of Jesus' Acquaintance

This paragraph delves into the enigmatic statement by Jesus, 'I never knew you.' It clarifies that Jesus' words from Matthew 7:23 are not about a lack of knowledge but rather a lack of a genuine relationship. The context is His Sermon on the Mount, where He warns against false prophets and emphasizes that mere verbal claims or demonstrations of spiritual power do not equate to salvation. The true will of God, as stated in John 6:28-29, is to believe in Jesus Christ. Those who are born again through faith produce good works, as per Ephesians 2:10. Jesus' words signify a rejection of those who falsely claim to be His disciples, as they lack the intimate relationship with Him that true believers share.

05:05

🔥 The Consequences of Rejecting God's Plan

The second paragraph discusses the gravity of those who Jesus declares He never knew, highlighting the eternal consequences of rejecting God's purpose. It emphasizes that God does not take pleasure in sending people to hell, but those who have rejected the gospel's light in favor of darkness will face judgment. These individuals may claim to have performed good works in Christ's name, but they failed to fulfill the true work of God, which is faith in Jesus as stated in John 6:29. The paragraph concludes with a call to subscribe for more insights and resources, and it directs viewers to related content and the Bible Munch channel for devotionals, reinforcing the message that the Bible has answers to life's questions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡I never knew you

This phrase is a direct quote from Jesus in the Bible, specifically Matthew 7:23, and is the central theme of the video. It refers to a lack of a genuine relationship or recognition from Jesus towards those who claim to follow Him but do not truly do His will. In the video, it is explained that Jesus is not speaking of a lack of intellectual knowledge but rather a relational one, emphasizing that those who are not truly His disciples will be rejected.

💡Relational knowledge

Relational knowledge, as discussed in the video, contrasts with intellectual knowledge. It implies a deeper, personal connection or understanding between individuals. In the context of the video, Jesus' statement about not knowing certain individuals is about the absence of a true, intimate relationship with them, rather than a lack of awareness of their existence.

💡Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount is a series of teachings by Jesus, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, which includes the famous 'Beatitudes.' In the video, it is mentioned that Jesus' statement 'I never knew you' comes at the end of this sermon, serving as a warning about the importance of true faith and not just outward religious observance.

💡False Christian prophets

The term 'false Christian prophets' refers to individuals who claim to speak for God but do not genuinely follow His teachings. In the script, it is mentioned that these prophets may appear as wolves in sheep's clothing, using religious language and performing miracles, yet they are not true followers of Christ.

💡Nominal Christianity

Nominal Christianity describes a superficial adherence to the Christian faith without genuine belief or practice. The video emphasizes that such a faith cannot save, and that true faith involves more than just verbal claims or outward appearances.

💡The will of the Father

In the context of the video, 'the will of the Father' refers to God's plan and desires for humanity, as revealed through Jesus. It is explained that doing the will of the Father involves having faith in Jesus Christ and living a life that reflects this faith, rather than merely performing religious acts.

💡Faith in Christ

Faith in Christ is a central concept in Christianity, which involves trusting in Jesus as the Son of God and the savior of humanity. The video explains that this faith is essential for salvation and is the true work of God, as stated in John 6:29.

💡Good works

Good works, as discussed in the video, are the positive actions and behaviors that result from genuine faith in Christ. They are not what saves a person but are a natural outcome of being born again through faith, as mentioned in Ephesians 2:10.

💡Evildoers

The term 'evildoers' in the video refers to those who are not true followers of Christ, despite possibly performing religious acts. They are characterized by their lack of genuine relationship with Jesus and their hearts full of iniquity, as illustrated by the condemnation in Isaiah 29:13.

💡Judgment Day

Judgment Day is a biblical concept referring to the final judgment of humanity by God. In the video, it is the context in which Jesus will tell the false disciples 'I never knew you,' signifying their rejection and separation from Him due to their lack of true faith and obedience.

💡Spiritual insight or power

Spiritual insight or power, as mentioned in the video, refers to the understanding or abilities that may be associated with spiritual matters. However, the video emphasizes that these alone cannot save a person; it is the doing of the Father's will, particularly having faith in Christ, that is crucial.

💡Fruit of the Spirit

The 'fruit of the Spirit' is a term from Galatians 5:22-23, which describes the qualities that should be evident in the life of a believer, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control. The video contrasts these with the 'works of the flesh,' indicating that those Jesus does not know will not produce the positive characteristics of a true follower of Christ.

Highlights

Jesus' words 'I never knew you. Depart from me' are not about intellectual knowledge but relational.

The context of Matthew 7:23 is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, warning about false faith.

False prophets may appear religious but do not belong to the Lord.

True faith is not about verbal claims or demonstrations of spiritual power.

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

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

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

Jesus' statement signifies that He does not recognize false disciples as His true followers.

There is no pre-existing relationship with Christ for those He claims to not know.

True intimacy with Christ is essential, not just religious words or actions.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 8:3 explains that those who love God are known by Him.

Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, knows His sheep, as depicted in John 10:14.

Hypocrisy is condemned in Isaiah 29:13, reflecting those Jesus does not know.

False Christians, teachers, and nominal believers are those Jesus will not acknowledge.

Revelation 22:15 describes the fate of those who are not part of the kingdom.

Galatians 5 outlines the contrast between the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the flesh.

At judgment, works alone do not justify; faith in Jesus is crucial, as in John 6:29.

Jesus, as the Righteous Judge, condemns those who reject God's plan to eternal separation.