Matthew 25:12 Meaning and Explanation
“But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The bridegroom answers the latecomers: Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
What Does Matthew 25:12 Mean?
From behind the shut door comes the answer, prefaced by the formula Jesus reserves for his weightiest sayings: verily I say unto you. The bridegroom does not call the maidens strangers to the guest list; he says he does not know them. The companions of a wedding were those bound to the couple; not to be known is to have no living tie to the one being celebrated.
The deepest readiness is relationship. Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God and the Son whom he sent (John 17:3), and the tragedy of the foolish is that the knowing never became mutual and alive. The question the verse leaves is not whether we can name the Lord, but whether our daily walk has made us his familiar companions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 25:12
What does Matthew 25:12 mean?
The bridegroom answers the latecomers: Verily I say unto you, I know you not.