Matthew 7:21 kjv

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 nkjv

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 niv

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 esv

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 nlt

"Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 21 Meaning

Matthew 7:21 declares that entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is not granted merely by verbal profession of faith in Jesus, but by actively and consistently living in obedience to the will of God the Father. It distinguishes between a superficial acknowledgment of Christ's lordship and a genuine submission to His teachings and the divine blueprint for life. True discipleship is evidenced by deeds that align with God's desires.

Matthew 7 21 Context

Matthew 7:21 is a pivotal warning within Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, concluding the discourse on true righteousness and spiritual living (Matt 5-7). The sermon consistently contrasts superficial religiosity with deep, heart-level obedience. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus warns against false prophets (Matt 7:15-20), likening them to trees known by their bad fruit—a metaphor of outward actions revealing inner nature. Matthew 7:21-23 then delivers a stark warning against self-deception regarding true discipleship, directly connecting a person's eternal destiny to their actions, not just their words. The parable of the two builders (Matt 7:24-27) follows, reinforcing the theme of hearing Jesus' words versus acting on them, distinguishing between those who build their lives on the rock of obedience and those who build on the sand of mere hearing. Historically, Jesus addressed a cultural landscape where outward religious observance (e.g., fasting, alms-giving, elaborate prayers, strict adherence to traditions) was often seen as the primary measure of piety. This verse functions as a polemic against the prevailing mindset that one's lineage, religious title, or mere intellectual/verbal acknowledgment of God would guarantee divine favor, without corresponding ethical and moral transformation reflecting God's will.

Matthew 7 21 Word analysis

• Not everyone: (οὐ πᾶς - ou pas). This is a strong negative, meaning "no one, no single one, not at all." It introduces a contrast and immediately indicates that the group being described is not small but actually encompasses a large number who are mistaken in their spiritual understanding. It challenges universal assumption.
• who says: (ὁ λέγων - ho legōn). A participle meaning "the one saying." It implies a continuous act of verbal profession or acknowledgment. This highlights that mere talk or an outward declaration is being critiqued.
• to me: (μοι - moi). Emphasizes that Jesus Himself is the judge and the standard. The direct address personalizes the criterion for entrance.
• Lord, Lord: (Κύριε, Κύριε - Kyrie, Kyrie). The repetition indicates intensity, fervor, or urgent appeal. It signifies acknowledging Jesus' authority or divine status, yet tragically, in this context, it is insufficient without accompanying action. It suggests a claim of close relationship or submission that is ultimately superficial.
• will enter: (εἰσελεύσεται - eiselthesetai). Future tense, indicating a definitive future event—admission to God's ultimate dwelling and rule. This implies a future judgment or decision point.
• the kingdom of heaven: (τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν - tēn basileian tōn ouranōn). A characteristic Matthean phrase, synonymous with "Kingdom of God." It refers to God's sovereign rule, manifested presently through the lives of believers, but fully realized in the future consummation. Entry into it implies participation in God's eternal blessing and presence.
• but only: (ἀλλ’ - all' or ἀλλ’ ὁ ποιῶν - all' ho poiōn). The Greek alla (ἀλλά) serves as a strong adversative, introducing a sharp contrast. "But rather, only..." It emphasizes the exclusive condition that follows.
• the one who does: (ὁ ποιῶν - ho poiōn). Another participle, meaning "the one doing" or "practicing." Unlike "saying," "doing" implies continuous action, habitual conduct, and concrete expression. This is the decisive counterpoint to mere verbal affirmation.
• the will: (τὸ θέλημα - to thelēma). Refers to the divine intention, purpose, and moral requirement of God. It's not about arbitrary rules but the character and desires of God Himself for humanity, revealed notably in the Sermon on the Mount.
• of my Father: (τοῦ Πατρός μου - tou Patros mou). Jesus frequently refers to God as "My Father," highlighting His unique relationship and authority to reveal the Father's will. This reinforces the divine source of the command.
• who is in heaven: (τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς - tou en ouranois). Emphasizes God's transcendence, omnipresence, and ultimate sovereignty. The will comes from the highest authority, God Himself, whose domain is heaven.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' " This phrase encapsulates the danger of empty words or intellectual assent without true transformation. It exposes the self-deception of those who mistake outward religious fervor or creedal affirmation for genuine submission to Christ.
  • "will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." This full clause establishes the singular criterion for eternal life. It defines "true Lordship" not as an attributed title, but as the active principle of obedience in the life of a believer, directly aligned with God's perfect and sovereign will.

Matthew 7 21 Bonus section

• Anticipation of Judgment: This verse directly anticipates the future judgment depicted in Matthew 7:22-23, where many will claim to have performed mighty works in Jesus' name but are still rejected for lacking true submission to God's will.
• Disproving Antinomianism: It directly counters any doctrine that suggests faith alone (sola fide) implies a freedom from moral law or the necessity of good works. While salvation is by grace through faith, true faith inherently expresses itself through obedience.
• Emphasis on Relationship: "My Father" emphasizes that the "will" isn't arbitrary law, but the loving purpose of a relationship. True children desire to please their Father.
• Call to Self-Examination: The verse prompts every individual claiming Christ as Lord to examine the sincerity of their faith by assessing their active obedience, rather than resting on mere profession or external religious displays. It emphasizes authenticity over performance.

Matthew 7 21 Commentary

Matthew 7:21 serves as a foundational declaration of what authentic faith and discipleship truly entail. Jesus systematically demolishes the common misconception that verbal affirmation or even fervent religious activity alone guarantees spiritual acceptance. The "Lord, Lord" cry represents those who intellectually acknowledge Jesus' authority and may participate outwardly in religious life, yet lack genuine transformation or practical obedience to His commands. Jesus states that salvation and entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven are not earned through works, but genuine faith in Him produces a life characterized by obedience to God's will. This obedience is the fruit and evidence of a transformed heart, rather than the root of salvation. The "will of My Father" encompasses the holistic demands of the Gospel—love for God and neighbor, ethical living, righteousness, and merciful deeds—as expounded throughout the Sermon on the Mount. It warns against a nominal Christianity or "easy believism" that separates confession from character, and spiritual talk from tangible walk. It forces deep introspection on whether our faith is truly submissive to Christ’s authority in every area of life.

• Examples: A person who frequently attends church but consistently lies in business. Someone who posts scriptures online but is unkind and vengeful offline. A church leader who speaks eloquently of Christ but practices financial deceit.