Πολλοὶ ἐροῦσίν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ, κύριε κύριε, οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι προεφητεύσαμεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν, καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν; (Matthew 7:22)
The Day of Reckoning in Syntax
Matthew 7:22 depicts a haunting scene at the final judgment. Many claim supernatural deeds in Jesus’ name, but are ultimately disowned. The Greek grammar intensifies the scene through instrumental datives, rhetorical inversion, and a series of parallel clauses that simulate escalating urgency. This is not only a warning — it’s a masterclass in how grammar mirrors theology.
Πολλοὶ ἐροῦσίν μοι ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ: The Judgment Frame
Temporal Context:
– ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ: “on that day” — a standard eschatological phrase referring to the final judgment
– The demonstrative ἐκείνῃ (feminine dative sg.) + article + noun places this squarely in the eschatological register.
Verbal Structure:
– ἐροῦσίν: future active indicative, 3rd person plural of λέγω — “they will say”
– μοι: dative of indirect object, “to me”
Together, this forms the frame: “Many will say to me on that day…”
κύριε κύριε: Vocative Repetition
– The vocative κύριε is repeated for emotional emphasis — urgency, pleading, or even desperation.
– This echoes Old Testament and prophetic forms of address that often precede lament or appeal (cf. Amos 7:2–5, LXX).
Instrumental Dative: τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι
This phrase is repeated three times:
– οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι προεφητεύσαμεν
– καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν
– καὶ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν
Grammatical Function:
– τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι is a dative of means/instrument, literally “by your name” or “with your name”
– It expresses the agent or medium through which the action was performed
Theological Implication:
The repetition of “by your name” emphasizes:
– Claimed authorization for ministry
– Presumed proximity to Christ
– Ironically, it sets up the contrast with what Jesus says in the next verse: “I never knew you”
Threefold Deeds Claimed: Climactic Structure
1. προεφητεύσαμεν — “we prophesied”
– aorist active indicative, 1st person plural from προφητεύω
– Speech gift, revelatory in function
2. δαιμόνια ἐξεβάλομεν — “we cast out demons”
– aorist active indicative, 1st person plural from ἐκβάλλω
– Exorcism, sign of authority over evil
3. δυνάμεις πολλὰς ἐποιήσαμεν — “we did many mighty works”
– δυνάμεις: “miracles” or “powers”
– ἐποιήσαμεν: aorist active indicative of ποιέω, “we did”
Why This Order?
The sequence moves from speech → spiritual power → miraculous activity — ascending in impressiveness. But the climax is not validation — it sets up reversal in verse 23.
οὐ…;: The Rhetorical Interrogative
Each clause is framed as a rhetorical question:
– οὐ τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι…;
This expects a “yes” answer. The speakers assume their actions are undeniable proof of legitimacy. But Jesus’ response in the next verse denies their claim.
This structure reflects:
– Delusion about spiritual credentials
– A failure to understand the Lordship they vocally profess
Parallel Syntax, False Security
Each clause is syntactically parallel:
– Dative of means: τῷ σῷ ὀνόματι
– Aorist verb: προεφητεύσαμεν, ἐξεβάλομεν, ἐποιήσαμεν
– Each builds rhetorical confidence — but together, they form a trap of self-assurance
When Grammar Echoes the Judged
Matthew 7:22-Greek is a brilliant example of how repetition, grammatical parallelism, and rhetorical syntax expose self-deception. The speakers call him “Lord,” cite mighty deeds, and invoke his name — all in Greek that seems theologically airtight.
But grammar, like theology, requires truth at the core.
– The instrumental datives point to deeds done in the name but not in the will.
– The aorist verbs suggest past action, but not present relationship.
– The vocative pleads “Lord,” but Jesus calls them lawless in the next breath.
On that day, syntax will not save — only obedient faith, not verbal confession, will stand. The warning is grammatical and eternal.
