# Matthew 7.21 **Book:** [Matthew](/codex/matthew-the-apostle/) · ASV / WEB / KJV / YLT ## Immediate context (±2 verses) **ASV** ([ASV](/codex/asv/)) > 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Therefore by their fruits ye shall know them. > > **21. 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 who is in heaven.** > > 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:19-23, ASV) **WEB** ([WEB](/codex/web/)) > 19. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. 20. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. > > **21. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.** > > 22. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ 23. Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ (Matthew 7:19-23, WEB) **KJV** ([KJV](/codex/kjv/)) > 19. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. > > **21. 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.** > > 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:19-23, KJV) **YLT** ([YLT](/codex/ylt/)) > 19. Every tree not yielding good fruit is cut down and is cast to fire: 20. therefore from their fruits ye shall know them. > > **21. 'Not every one who is saying to me Lord, lord, shall come into the reign of the heavens; but he who is doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens.** > > 22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, lord, have we not in thy name prophesied? and in thy name cast out demons? and in thy name done many mighty things? 23. and then I will acknowledge to them, that, I never knew you, depart from me ye who are working lawlessness. (Matthew 7:19-23, YLT) ## Setting - **Speaker:** Matthew (traditionally) the tax-collector-apostle / narrator + Jesus's direct teaching - **Audience:** Jewish-Christian audience (heavy OT-fulfillment emphasis) - **Location:** first-century Palestine (events); possibly Antioch (composition) - **Time period:** events c. 4 BC, AD 30/33; composed c. AD 60-80 ## Theological reading ## Key words - [G932 - basileia](/codex/g932-basileia/), *basileia* (Strong's G932). Also appears in: [Matthew 4.23](/codex/matthew-4-23/), [Matthew 5.17-20](/codex/matthew-5-17-20/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/). - [G2962 - kyrios](/codex/g2962-kyrios/), *kyrios* (Strong's G2962). Also appears in: [Matthew 1.20](/codex/matthew-1-20/), [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/), [Matthew 6.24](/codex/matthew-6-24/). - [G3956 - pas](/codex/g3956-pas/), *pas* (Strong's G3956). Also appears in: [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/), [Matthew 2.1-6](/codex/matthew-2-1-6/), [Matthew 2.16](/codex/matthew-2-16/). - [G3962 - pater](/codex/g3962-pater/), *pater* (Strong's G3962). Also appears in: [Matthew 5.48](/codex/matthew-5-48/), [Matthew 6.25-26](/codex/matthew-6-25-26/), [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/). ## Why these four translations ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the **most literal English translations available** (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the **public domain in the United States**, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance. The four: - **[ASV](/codex/asv/)** (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition. - **[WEB](/codex/web/)** (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English. - **[KJV](/codex/kjv/)** (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base. - **[YLT](/codex/ylt/)** (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff. See [Bibles](/codex/bibles/) for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses. ## Quoted in **Arguments and defeaters:** - [Argument from Sanctity](/codex/argument-from-sanctity/) - [Liar Lunatic or Lord](/codex/liar-lunatic-or-lord/), via [Matthew 7.21-23](/codex/matthew-7-21-23/) - [No True Scotsman Charge Defeater](/codex/no-true-scotsman-charge-defeater/) **Concepts:** - [Christian Discernment](/codex/christian-discernment/), via [Matthew 7.15-23](/codex/matthew-7-15-23/) - [Jesus Said](/codex/jesus-said/), via [Matthew 7](/codex/matthew-7/) - [Lordship Salvation](/codex/lordship-salvation/), via [Matthew 7.21-23](/codex/matthew-7-21-23/) - [Repentance](/codex/g3341-metanoia/) - [Sermon on the Mount](/codex/sermon-on-the-mount/), via [Matthew 7](/codex/matthew-7/), [Matthew 7.15-23](/codex/matthew-7-15-23/) **Passages:** - [Matthew 1](/codex/matthew-1/) - [Matthew 1.20](/codex/matthew-1-20/) - [Matthew 4.23](/codex/matthew-4-23/) - [Matthew 5.17-20](/codex/matthew-5-17-20/) - [Matthew 6.24](/codex/matthew-6-24/) - [Matthew 6.25-26](/codex/matthew-6-25-26/) - [Matthew 6.25-34](/codex/matthew-6-25-34/)