Jesus responds to their claims: 'But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.' The repeated 'I know you not whence ye are' emphasizes that Jesus doesn't recognize them as His own. Despite their claims of association, He declares 'depart from me,' a judicial dismissal. The phrase 'workers of iniquity' indicates active pursuit of sin, not passive failure. The term 'workers' means laborers—these people worked at sin with the same energy others should work at righteousness. External religious profession combined with immoral living exposes false faith. This echoes Jesus' warning in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21-23) that many who claim 'Lord, Lord' will be rejected.
Historical Context
This teaching directly challenges Jewish confidence in ethnic and religious privilege. Many assumed that being Abraham's descendants and members of the covenant community guaranteed salvation (Matthew 3:9, John 8:39-41). Jesus insists that genealogy and religious heritage save no one—only personal faith and repentance matter. The early church struggled with this truth, as Jewish Christians initially resisted Gentile inclusion and Gentile equality (Acts 10-11, 15, Galatians 2). Paul addresses this extensively in Romans 2-4, arguing that true children of Abraham are those who share his faith, not merely his DNA.
Questions for Reflection
What does 'workers of iniquity' teach about the incompatibility of genuine Christianity with ongoing, unrepentant sin?
How does Jesus' rejection of those who claim association with Him challenge contemporary evangelism that emphasizes decisions without discipleship?
In what ways might people today assume salvation based on religious heritage, church attendance, or doctrinal knowledge without genuine heart transformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus responds to their claims: 'But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.' The repeated 'I know you not whence ye are' emphasizes that Jesus doesn't recognize them as His own. Despite their claims of association, He declares 'depart from me,' a judicial dismissal. The phrase 'workers of iniquity' indicates active pursuit of sin, not passive failure. The term 'workers' means laborers—these people worked at sin with the same energy others should work at righteousness. External religious profession combined with immoral living exposes false faith. This echoes Jesus' warning in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:21-23) that many who claim 'Lord, Lord' will be rejected.