The Meaning of Matthew 25:12 Explained

Matthew 25:12

KJV: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

YLT: and he answering said, Verily I say to you, I have not known you.

Darby: but he answering said, Verily I say unto you, I do not know you.

ASV: But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  he answered  and said,  Verily  I say  unto you,  I know  you  not. 

What does Matthew 25:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Matthew 25:1-13 - Be Ready For The Bridegroom
Three remarkable parables occupy this chapter and follow a marked sequence of thought. First, we are called upon to look to ourselves, and be sure that we are prepared to enter the wedding feast; that is, to enter into the holiest and closest union with our Lord. Many are called into that union of thought, and prayer and service, but, alas, how few there are who approve themselves as chosen for that inner intimacy! We must see to it that our hearts are pure with virginal purity, and that the light is ever burning in our hearts, through the continual inpouring of the oil of the Holy Spirit.
How marvelous the power which, from the noisy night procession of an oriental wedding, could bring this exquisite parable! The short, warm Eastern night, the ten girls, the cry, the peace of the prepared, the anguish of the unready, the inside and outside of the door! O blessed Comforter, may we not fail thee, as thou wilt not fail those who in their weakness seek thy help! [source]

Chapter Summary: Matthew 25

1  The parable of the ten virgins,
14  and of the talents
31  Also the description of the last judgment

Greek Commentary for Matthew 25:12

I know you not [ουκ οιδα υμας]
Hence there was no reason for special or unusual favours to be granted them. They must abide the consequences of their own negligence. [source]

What do the individual words in Matthew 25:12 mean?

- And answering he said Truly I say to you not I do know you
δὲ ἀποκριθεὶς εἶπεν Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν οὐκ οἶδα ὑμᾶς

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀποκριθεὶς  answering 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀποκρίνομαι  
Sense: to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer.
εἶπεν  he  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Ἀμὴν  Truly 
Parse: Hebrew Word
Root: ἀμήν  
Sense: firm.
λέγω  I  say 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
οἶδα  I  do  know 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.