Matthew 7:23

Matthew 7:23. And then, at once, will I profess unto them. They make false professions, but ‘I will tell them the plain truth.'

I never knew you. They had not fallen away, they had never been called by Christ, though called by His name, and calling on His name. Intimate knowledge of persons implies sympathy and similarity.

Depart from me (comp. chap. Matthew 25:41), ye that work Iniquity. The seeming success of a hypocrite is habitual and heightened iniquity. Important for self-examinations. Our Lord speaks of confessing Him, of works done in His name, His final verdict, all in connection with doing the will of His Father. No mere man could speak thus.