King James Version

What Does Luke 13:25 Mean?

Luke 13:25 in the King James Version says “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at... — study this verse from Luke chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

Luke 13:25 · KJV


Context

23

Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

24

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25

When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26

Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27

But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are. This sobering warning follows the question "Are there few that be saved?" (v. 23). Jesus shifts from abstract speculation to urgent personal application. The "master of the house" (ὁ οἰκοδεσπότης, ho oikodespotēs) represents Christ as judge, and the "door" (θύραν, thyran) symbolizes entrance to the kingdom.

The phrase "is risen up, and hath shut to the door" (ἐγερθῇ...καὶ ἀποκλείσῃ τὴν θύραν, egerthē...kai apokleisē tēn thyran) uses aorist subjunctive verbs indicating definite future action—a fixed moment when opportunity ends. Once the door shuts, no amount of knocking avails. The desperate cry "Lord, Lord" (Κύριε, κύριε, Kyrie, kyrie) echoes Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus warns that mere verbal profession without obedience proves worthless. Repetition indicates urgency and emotional intensity but not genuine relationship.

The master's response—"I know you not whence ye are" (Οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς πόθεν ἐστέ, Ouk oida hymas pothen este)—is devastating. The verb oida (οἶδα) means to know intimately, recognize, acknowledge. Christ's declaration "I do not know you" means "I never had relationship with you." The added phrase "whence ye are" (where you are from) emphasizes complete unfamiliarity—they are strangers despite claiming connection. Religious activity, church attendance, even miracles done in Jesus' name (Matthew 7:22) don't guarantee salvation. Only those who enter through the narrow door of genuine faith and repentance are known by Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The imagery of shut doors and excluded guests would resonate with Palestinian wedding customs, where late arrivals might be refused entry after the celebration began (Matthew 25:1-13). The "master of the house" language reflects Greco-Roman household structure where the paterfamilias exercised absolute authority over who entered. Jesus appropriates this familiar social reality to illustrate eschatological judgment. The warning targeted first-century Jews who presumed covenant membership guaranteed salvation, but it applies universally: religious heritage, external conformity, and verbal profession without genuine heart transformation will not save.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between calling Jesus 'Lord' and truly knowing Him in saving relationship?
  2. How does this warning challenge presumptive faith based on religious activity rather than genuine conversion?
  3. What does the finality of the shut door teach about the urgency of responding to the gospel today?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
ἀφ'1 of 32

When once

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

οὗ2 of 32
G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἂν3 of 32
G302

whatsoever

ἐγερθῇ4 of 32

is risen up

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

5 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οἰκοδεσπότης6 of 32

the master of the house

G3617

the head of a family

καὶ7 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκλείσῃ8 of 32

hath shut

G608

to close fully

τὴν9 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θύραν10 of 32

at the door

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

καὶ11 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἄρξησθε12 of 32

ye begin

G756

to commence (in order of time)

ἔξω13 of 32

without

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

ἑστάναι14 of 32

to stand

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

καὶ15 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

κρούειν16 of 32

to knock

G2925

to rap

τὴν17 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θύραν18 of 32

at the door

G2374

a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively)

λέγοντες19 of 32

saying

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Κύριε,20 of 32

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Κύριε,21 of 32

Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἄνοιξον22 of 32

open

G455

to open up (literally or figuratively, in various applications)

ἡμῖν23 of 32

unto us

G2254

to (or for, with, by) us

καὶ24 of 32

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀποκριθεὶς25 of 32

he shall answer

G611

to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)

ἐρεῖ26 of 32

and say

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

ὑμῖν27 of 32

unto you

G5213

to (with or by) you

Οὐκ28 of 32

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἶδα29 of 32

I know

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὑμᾶς30 of 32

you

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

πόθεν31 of 32

whence

G4159

from which (as interrogative) or what (as relative) place, state, source or cause

ἐστέ32 of 32

ye are

G2075

ye are


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 13:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 13:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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