Luke 13:25

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 13:25 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;
Luke 13:25 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25When 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, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“When once the master of the house is risen up, etc.] From table, or off of his couch, the entertainment being over: and so here, the Gospel feast, or dispensation, being at an end, and all the guests come in, who were effectually called, and long patience and forbearance being used towards others; or has entered in, as the Vulgate Latin version reads, and so Beza's ancient copy, and one of Stephens's; is come from the wedding; (see <421236>Luke 12:36) Christ having espoused all his elect to himself, by the ministry of the word: for by “the master of the house” is meant, the bridegroom of the church, the head of the body, the King of saints, who is Son over his own house, and high priest…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“master of the house is risen up and hath shut to the door--awfully sublime and vivid picture! At present he is represented as in a sitting posture, as if calmly looking on to see who will "strive," while entrance is practicable, and who will merely "seek" to enter in. But this is to have an end, by the great Master of the house Himself rising and shutting the door, after which there will be no admittance. Lord, Lord--emphatic reduplication, expressive of the earnestness now felt, but too late. (See on Mat 7:21-22).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When once the master ... - The figure here used is taken from the conduct of a housekeeper, who is willing to see his friends, and who at the proper time keeps his doors open. But there is a proper time for closing them, when he will not see his guests. At night it would be improper and vain to seek an entrance - the house would be shut. So there is a proper time to seek an entrance into heaven; but there will be a time when it will be too late. At death the time will have passed by, and God will be no longer gracious to the sinner’s soul. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And even agonizing will not avail, after the door is shut. Agonize, therefore, now by faith, prayer, holiness, patience. And ye begin to stand without - Till then they had not thought of it! O how new will that sense of their misery be? How late? How lasting? I know not whence ye are - I know not, that is, I approve not of your ways. Luke 13:27”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:25 When the master of the house has locked the door: At a banquet, the master of the household locked the door after the invited guests had arrived. • I don’t know you: In Scripture, knowing often means being chosen by God for a special relationship (Isa 63:16; Jer 1:5; Amos 3:2). The people of Israel were God’s chosen people who had descended from Abraham (where you come from), but those who failed to respond to the invitation did not have a relationship with God. The same can be said of all who fail to respond to the Good News of the Kingdom.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“once: Psa 32:6; Isa 55:6; Co2 6:2; Heb 3:7, Heb 3:8, Heb 12:17 shut: Gen 7:16; Mat 25:10 Lord: Luk 6:46; Mat 7:21, Mat 7:22, Mat 25:11, Mat 25:12 I know: Luk 13:27; Mat 7:23, Mat 25:41 Luke 13:26”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification