Matthew 25:12 kjv
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:12 nkjv
But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Matthew 25:12 niv
"But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.'
Matthew 25:12 esv
But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
Matthew 25:12 nlt
"But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!'
Matthew 25 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 7:23 | And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me...’ | Direct parallel on rejection and unknownness. |
| Lk 13:25 | When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door... | Finality of the shut door. |
| Lk 13:27 | But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from...' | Luke's parallel to not knowing. |
| Jn 10:14 | I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. | True disciples are known by Christ. |
| 2 Tim 2:19 | But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his...” | God's intimate knowledge of His own. |
| 1 Cor 8:3 | But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. | Mutual knowledge tied to love for God. |
| Gal 4:9 | ...you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God... | Divine initiative in being known by God. |
| Ps 1:6 | For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. | The Lord distinguishes the righteous. |
| Nah 1:7 | The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. | Knowing implies protection and refuge. |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. | Urgency of seeking before opportunity ends. |
| Matt 24:42 | Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. | Call to constant watchfulness. |
| Mk 13:35 | Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come... | Emphasizes vigilance and uncertainty of time. |
| Lk 12:40 | You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. | Need for continuous readiness. |
| Rom 13:11 | Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. | Awakening from spiritual slumber. |
| 1 Thess 5:6 | So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. | Spiritual alertness and self-control. |
| Heb 4:1 | Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. | Danger of falling short due to unreadiness. |
| Rev 3:7 | ...What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. | Authority of Christ over opening and shutting. |
| Rev 22:11 | Let the evil doer still do evil... and the holy still be holy. | Finality of character at Christ's return. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory... | God's power in preserving the prepared. |
| Eph 5:27 | ...that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle... | The church must be ready and holy. |
| Matt 25:10 | And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. | Immediate preceding event and outcome. |
Matthew 25 verses
Matthew 25 12 Meaning
This verse delivers a solemn and definitive declaration of rejection. It comes from the mouth of the Bridegroom, symbolizing Christ, to the five foolish virgins who, despite having lamps, lacked the necessary oil and therefore arrived unprepared when the door to the wedding feast was shut. The declaration "I do not know you" signifies a lack of intimate, personal, and salvific relationship, emphasizing that outward appearance or late-minute efforts are insufficient for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven without true readiness and spiritual connection.
Matthew 25 12 Context
Matthew chapter 25 is part of Jesus' eschatological discourse, delivered on the Mount of Olives. This discourse (Matt 24-25) warns disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem, the coming of the Son of Man, and the need for constant watchfulness and readiness. The parables in chapter 25—the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13), the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30), and the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matt 25:31-46)—collectively emphasize the certainty of Christ's return, the unpredictable timing of that return, and the ultimate judgment that awaits those who are found unprepared or unfruitful.
Specifically, Matthew 25:12 is the climax of the Parable of the Ten Virgins. This parable illustrates that not everyone who appears to be waiting for Christ (represented by lamps, a sign of expectancy) will ultimately be ready for His coming. The foolish virgins, despite their initial intention, lacked the crucial "oil" (often interpreted as the Holy Spirit, true faith, genuine discipleship, or works stemming from faith), representing a lack of genuine spiritual readiness and an active, indwelling relationship with Christ. When the Bridegroom finally arrived, they were outside buying oil and missed their opportunity, only to find the door shut and their pleas for entry rejected with the stark declaration, "I do not know you." This pronouncement signifies the irreversible separation of the truly known (and therefore prepared) from the outwardly associated but inwardly empty. Culturally, Jewish wedding customs often involved a nighttime procession for the groom, and lamps were essential for the attendants; the door being shut indicated the finality of the feast's commencement.
Word Analysis
- But he answered (ὁ δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς): The Greek word for "answered" (ἀποκριθεὶς, apokritheis) implies a definitive and direct response from an authoritative figure, underscoring the finality and solemnity of the Bridegroom’s pronouncement. It's not a suggestion or a request but a verdict.
- Truly (ἀμὴν, amēn): A direct transliteration of the Hebrew/Aramaic "amen," Jesus uses this frequently to preface statements of absolute truth and authority. It intensifies the gravity of the declaration, leaving no room for doubt or re-negotiation. It emphasizes divine certainty.
- I tell you (λέγω ὑμῖν, legō hymin): "Legō" means "I say" or "I tell." Combined with "amēn," it signals a divine oracle or an irreversible decree from Christ Himself. "Hymin" is the plural "you," directed at the five foolish virgins, representing all who are similarly unprepared.
- I do not know you (οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς, ouk oida hymas):
- οὐκ (ouk): This is a strong, absolute negation in Greek, meaning "absolutely not" or "by no means." It underscores the definitive nature of the rejection.
- οἶδα (oida): This verb signifies a deeply personal, intimate, experiential knowledge, often implying a relationship of recognition, acceptance, and approval, distinct from mere intellectual or factual awareness. In a covenantal or biblical context, for God or Christ to "know" someone means to have chosen them, approved them, and entered into relationship with them (e.g., Amos 3:2; Ps 1:6). To say "I do not know you" therefore implies a total lack of such a relationship, a failure to be recognized as part of His own, rendering them strangers to Him, despite their proximity to the door. This cuts to the core of their spiritual status, denying any true claim to be His.
Matthew 25 12 Bonus section
The shutting of the door in this parable is a powerful symbol of the closing of a divine opportunity and the finality of judgment. Once Christ returns, the time for preparation is over, and decisions made in life become eternal. The phrase "I do not know you" is a declaration of non-relationship, emphasizing that personal access to God’s presence is conditional upon being intimately known and acknowledged by Christ. It is a terrifying reality for those who assumed their place but never truly cultivated that essential, vital relationship.
Matthew 25 12 Commentary
Matthew 25:12 reveals a crucial truth about salvation and the Kingdom of Heaven: mere outward religious activity or association with believers is insufficient for genuine entry. The foolish virgins had lamps, representing a visible profession of waiting for the Bridegroom, but they lacked the essential "oil"—a symbol often interpreted as the Holy Spirit, the life of Christ within, true faith, or deeds empowered by faith and love. The Bridegroom's final verdict, "I do not know you," is chilling because it highlights that salvation is predicated on an intimate, living relationship with Christ, one that translates into active preparedness and faithfulness. It's not about being near the door or claiming "Lord, Lord," but about being genuinely known by the Master as His own. This verse serves as a stark warning against presumption, spiritual complacency, and superficial Christianity. True readiness for Christ's return involves not just anticipating Him, but living a life of true devotion, indwelt by His Spirit, continually nourishing one's spiritual flame.