Matthew 7:21-23

The context

These verses close the Sermon on the Mount, after the warnings about false prophets and before the parable of the two houses. The scene is a final assize in which people address Jesus as Lord and cite their own religious achievements. The verdict turns on a relationship the speakers are told they never had.

What it establishes

The passage denies that verbal confession and impressive religious activity are sufficient, and it makes doing the will of the Father the test. It also shows that miraculous works can be performed by people who are not known by Christ.

What it does not establish

It does not define the works that count. The will of the Father is named but not itemized here, and the sermon's own content supplies part of the answer. Nor does it settle debates about assurance or whether faith can be lost.

Short note, first pass, October 2026. Corrections welcome.

Cited in these answers

• What does it mean to be a Christian? There are over 30,000 different groups, all of which answer this question differently. If agreement cannot be found on THIS issue, can the claims of Christians be taken seriously?
• I tried Christianity but failed when the church bouncer told me to check my intelligence in at the door. Christians are stupid – ignorant, dumb, money-grubbing gay-bashing idiot bigots.

Part of Scripture, Opened — the exegetical layer behind every citation on this site. Scripture quotations are from the ESV.