“But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.”
My Notes
What Does Luke 13:27 Mean?
"I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." Jesus describes people who claim to know Him — they ate and drank in His presence, He taught in their streets — but whom He doesn't recognize. Proximity to Jesus isn't the same as relationship with Jesus. Presence at the table doesn't equal belonging at the table.
The phrase "I know you not whence ye are" is a statement of non-recognition. Jesus doesn't know their origin, their source, their identity. They came from somewhere He doesn't recognize. Their claim to know Him is one-directional: they remember being near Him, but He has no record of them.
The command "depart from me" is exclusion — active, deliberate removal from Jesus' presence. The same mouth that said "come unto me" to the weary says "depart from me" to the workers of iniquity. Invitation and exclusion come from the same Jesus.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Is your relationship with Jesus based on proximity (being in the room) or genuine connection?
- 2.What's the difference between knowing about Jesus and being known by Him?
- 3.Have you been relying on religious adjacency — attending, hearing, being present — as a substitute for relationship?
- 4.What does genuine relationship with Jesus look like beyond showing up?
Devotional
We ate with You. You taught in our streets. We were there. We heard You. We were in the room. And Jesus says: I don't know you. Depart.
The most terrifying verse in Luke isn't about atheists or pagans. It's about people who were near Jesus. People who sat at tables where He was present. People who lived on streets where He taught. Religious adjacency — proximity without relationship — is the specific condition Jesus rejects.
They didn't fail a theology test. They weren't accused of wrong belief. They were workers of iniquity who happened to be religiously present. They showed up. They attended. They ate the bread and drank the wine. And none of it constituted relationship.
The distinction between knowing about Jesus and being known by Jesus is the most important distinction in the New Testament. You can know everything about someone and still be a stranger to them. Millions of people know about Jesus — His teaching, His miracles, His death and resurrection. Knowing about isn't being known by.
The question isn't whether you recognize Jesus. It's whether Jesus recognizes you. The religious adjacency — being in the room, hearing the teaching, eating at the table — doesn't create recognition. What creates recognition is relationship. And relationship requires more than showing up.
Does Jesus know you — or do you just know about Him?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
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I know you notdepart from me, all ye workers of iniquity
2Ti 2:19, "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this…
Cross References
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