Why does Jesus reject those who perform miracles in His name in Matthew 7:23? Canonical Context Matthew 7:21-23 closes the Sermon on the Mount. The section contrasts two destinies (vv. 13-14), two trees (vv. 15-20), two claims (vv. 21-23), and two builders (vv. 24-27). Each contrast pivots on authentic obedience versus superficial appearance. Text “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ ” (Matthew 7:21-23) Key Terms • “Lord, Lord” (kyrie kyrie) – repeated address implying earnest profession. • “Miracles” (dynamis) – works of power; see Exodus 7:11; Acts 8:9-24 for demonic counterfeits. • “I never knew you” (oudepote egnōn hymas) – personal, relational knowledge (Genesis 4:1 LXX; John 10:14). • “Lawlessness” (anomia) – persistent rebellion against God’s moral order (Psalm 6:8 LXX; Matthew 13:41; 24:12). Why Miraculous Workers Are Rejected 1. Absence of Obedience to the Father’s Will Jesus specifies a single entrance requirement: “the will of My Father.” This will is summarized in John 6:40—faith in the Son and consequent obedience (cf. 1 John 3:23-24; Hebrews 5:9). Miracles may occur apart from that obedience; saving faith never does. 2. Relational Disconnect “I never knew you” indicates no covenant relationship ever existed (contrast Matthew 25:12). The Greek perfect “egnōn” stresses an ongoing state: Jesus never at any point possessed them as His own (cf. 2 Timothy 2:19). 3. Lawless Lifestyle “Workers of lawlessness” is not a slip; it is their habitual occupation (ergazomenoi). Scripture links genuine conversion with turning from anomia (Titus 2:14). Gifts can function while character rebels (cf. Numbers 22; 1 Samuel 19:23-24). 4. Gift Does Not Equal Endorsement Balaam (Numbers 24), Saul (1 Samuel 10:10; 19:24), Judas Iscariot (Matthew 10:1-8), and the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1:7; 3:1-3) demonstrate that God may permit or even use gifts for His purposes without approving the vessel’s heart (cf. Romans 11:29). 5. Possibility of Counterfeit Supernaturalism Scripture warns of “false christs and false prophets” who “perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive” (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; Revelation 13:13-14). Demonic activity can mimic divine power (Exodus 7:22; Acts 16:16-18). 6. Self-Deception and Moral Licensing Behavioral research on moral licensing shows that a dramatic “good act” often leads individuals to excuse later lapses. Spiritually, apparent success breeds presumption (Jeremiah 7:4-11). James 1:22-24 warns against deceiving oneself by hearing but not doing. OT and NT Echoes • Psalm 6:8 (“Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity”) is the OT backdrop Jesus quotes, aligning Himself with Yahweh’s judicial voice. • Isaiah 29:13 condemns lip-service religion; Jesus cites it in Matthew 15:8-9. • Deuteronomy 13:1-4 commands Israel to reject miracle-working prophets who entice toward disobedience, proving that orthodoxy of message outweighs spectacle. Early Church Testimony • Didache 11 urges testing itinerant prophets by life and teaching, not charisma. • 2 Clement 13 warns: “Let us not merely seem to believe and pay attention now, while actually sinning.” Fruit Over Gift Matthew 7:15-20 directly precedes 7:21-23. The Lord’s evaluation criterion is fruit (karpos)—observable righteousness (Galatians 5:22-24), not gifts (charismata). Paul reinforces this in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. The Father’s Will Defined • Believe in the Son (John 6:29, 40). • Repent and obey (Acts 17:30; Matthew 28:20). • Pursue holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:3). • Love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). These are relational and moral, not merely ritual or spectacular. Practical Tests for Today 1. Doctrinal fidelity to the biblical gospel (Galatians 1:8-9). 2. Evident sanctification (1 John 3:10). 3. Love of truth over experience (2 Thessalonians 2:10). 4. Humble submission to Scripture (John 8:31-32). 5. Perseverance to the end (Hebrews 3:14). Call to Self-Examination “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Instead of tallying spiritual exploits, one must ask: Do I repent of sin? Do I cling to Christ alone? Do I seek the Father’s will above my own? Am I known by Him? Summary Jesus’ rejection of miracle-workers in Matthew 7:23 is not an indictment of miracles per se but of hearts divorced from obedience, relationship, and holiness. The ultimate credential is being known by Christ, evidenced by doing the Father’s will. All else—no matter how dazzling—fails the test on “that day.” |
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