BEREAN.AI ← Ask a Question

The Meaning of "Lord, Lord" in Matthew 7

The phrase "Lord, Lord" in Matthew 7:21 (KJV) introduces a critical teaching by Jesus about the nature of true discipleship and entry into the Kingdom of Heaven: "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" [1]. This statement appears within the broader context of the Sermon on the Mount, specifically in the concluding section where Jesus warns against false prophets and emphasizes the importance of obedience over mere verbal profession [1].

The term "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) is a significant title throughout the Bible, often referring to God [6]. In the Old Testament, it is used for God in various contexts, such as in Exodus 16:7 where the glory of the Lord is seen [3], or in Psalms 19:7 where the law of the Lord gives life [4]. It can also denote a master or sovereign, as seen in II Samuel 7:28 where David addresses "O Lord God" [5], or in Amos 7:7 where the prophet sees "My Lord" [2]. In the New Testament, disciples address Jesus as "Lord," acknowledging his authority [9]. For instance, Jesus himself states, "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am" (John 13:13) [9]. The reduplication of "Lord, Lord" can signify zeal or earnestness in addressing Christ [9]. However, in Matthew 7:21, the repetition also carries a sense of surprise or urgency from those who are being disowned, as if questioning, "What, Lord? How is this?" [10].

Jesus' teaching here distinguishes between outward profession and inward obedience. The "Kingdom of Heaven" is synonymous with the "Kingdom of God," representing Christ's mediatorial authority, the blessings flowing from his rule, and the collective body of believers, the Church [8]. Entry into this kingdom is not granted to everyone who verbally acknowledges Jesus as Lord [1]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary notes that while Jesus expects his disciples to call him Lord, the crucial element for entry into the Kingdom of Heaven is doing "the will of my Father which is in heaven" [9]. Jesus deliberately uses "My Father" rather than "your Father" in this context, highlighting his unique relationship with God [9].

The passage continues in Matthew 7:22-23, where Jesus describes those who will claim to have performed mighty works in his name: "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? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" [1]. "That day" refers to the day of judgment, a specific, unnamed day when people will either enter or not enter the Kingdom of Heaven [10, 12]. John Gill notes that "many" in this context refers not only to common people but also to preachers who held high positions in the church [12]. These individuals will point to their spiritual activities—prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles—as evidence of their relationship with Christ [10, 1]. Prophesying, in the early church, often meant inspired and authoritative teaching [10]. Despite these outward displays of power and service, Jesus will declare that he "never knew" them [1]. This indicates that a personal, saving relationship with Christ, characterized by obedience to the Father's will, is paramount, not merely outward religious performance or miraculous deeds [1].

This passage functions as a stark warning against hypocrisy and superficial faith. It underscores that true discipleship is demonstrated through active obedience to God's will, rather than through eloquent speech or even powerful spiritual gifts [1]. The "Lord's Prayer," taught by Jesus earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, serves as a model of simple, humble petition, contrasting with "pagan wordiness" and endless repetition [7, 11]. The emphasis in Matthew 7:21-23 is on the sincerity of one's heart and the alignment of one's life with God's commands, rather than on outward declarations or impressive works.

Sources

  1. Matthew “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. -- Matthew 7:21”
  2. Amos “Amos 7:7 (Rotherham) — Here, he gave me to see, and lo! My Lord, stationed upon a pinnacle,—and, in his hand a plummet.”
  3. Exodus “Exodus 16:7 (DRC) — And in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord: for he hath heard your murmuring against the Lord: but as for us, what are we, that you mutter against us?”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 19:7 (BBE) — The law of the Lord is good, giving new life to the soul: the witness of the Lord is certain, giving wisdom to the foolish.”
  5. II Samuel “II Samuel 7:28 (Geneva1599) — Therefore now, O Lord God, (for thou art God, and thy words be true, and thou hast tolde this goodnes vnto thy seruant)”
  6. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lord — [[819]God]”
  7. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Kingdom of God — (Matt. 6:33; Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43) = "kingdom of Christ" (Matt. 13:41; 20:21) = "kingdom of Christ and of God" (Eph. 5:5) = "kingdom of David" (Mark 11:10) = "the kingdom" (Matt. 8:12; 13:19) = "kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 13:41), all denote the same thing under different aspects, viz.: (1) Christ's mediatorial authority, or his rule on the earth; (2) the blessings and advantages of all kinds that flow from this rule; (3) the subjects of this kingdom taken collectively, or the Church.”
  9. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:21: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord--the reduplication of the title "Lord" denoting zeal in according it to Christ (see Mar 14:45). Yet our Lord claims and expects this of all His disciples, as when He washed their feet: "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am" (Joh 13:13). shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven--that will which it had been the great object of this discourse to set forth. Yet our Lord says warily, not "the will of your Father," but "of My Father";”
  10. Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 7:22: Many will say to me in that day--What day? It is emphatically unnamed. But it is the day to which He had just referred, when men shall "enter" or not enter "into the kingdom of heaven." (See a similar way of speaking of "that day" in Ti2 1:12; Ti2 4:8). Lord, Lord--The reiteration denotes surprise. "What, Lord? How is this? Are we to be disowned?" have we not prophesied--or, "publicly taught." As one of the special gifts of the Spirit in the early Church, it has the sense of "inspired and authoritative teaching," and is ranked next to the apostles”
  11. Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:7: 6:7-8 God cannot be coaxed by endless repetition. The Lord’s Prayer (6:9-13) is a model of simplicity in contrast with pagan wordiness.”
  12. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 7:19: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,.... That is, in the last day, the day of judgment, the great and famous day, fixed by God, unknown to angels and men, which will be terrible to some, and joyful to others; the day in which the faithful ministers of the Gospel shall be owned by Christ, and received into the kingdom of heaven: "many", not of the common people only, but of the preachers of the word, who have filled up the highest station in the church below; not one, or two, or a few of them only, but many of them "will say to me"; to Christ, who will appear ”
Ask Your Own Question
About Terms Privacy Contact

© 2026 BEREAN.AI. All rights reserved.