An Analysis of the Words "I Know You Not" in Matthew 25:12

These words - Matt. 25: 12 - from the lips of our Saviour are a cause of difficulty and confusion to not a few. They occur in a well defined passage of admonition, following a prophetic picture of events leading up to His second advent. This passage opens and closes with the arresting words: "Watch therefore." See verses 24: 42 and 25: 12.

To Whom Are These Parables Addressed?

It is important to see clearly to whom these parables are addressed. Speaking generally the whole discourse of chapters 24 and 25 is addressed "privately" (verse 3) to "His disciples." This is emphasised in this passage, for in verse 42 the words "your Lord" are used concerning those warned. While of the Virgins, it is only to be noted that in New Testament usage the word always implies saved believers. The word suggests purity and separation. Moreover the ten virgins of the parable were all anxious to meet the Bridegroom; they had lamps burning, but with five their supply of oil was running very low. All the ten virgins were candidates for "the kingdom of heaven," and they were commanded to "Watch." Clearly the unsaved do not come into view in these parables.

Distinguishing Between Ginosko and Oida

How then are we to understand His words: "I know you not"? The English word "know" occurs eleven times in this discourse. But in the Greek two quite distinct words are used. One is ginosko, which means to know by effort, or learning; it is objective. The other word is oida and it is subjective knowledge, intuitive, or intimate. The distinction is as follows:

Greek Word	Type of Knowledge	Scriptural Occurrences
Ginosko	Objective; known by effort or learning.	Occurs five times in 24: 32, 33, 39, 43; and 25: 24.
Oida	Subjective; intuitive or intimate knowledge.	Occurs six times in 29: 36, 42, 43; and 25: 12, 13, 26.

Practical Usage in the Discourse

Let us notice how differently the two words are used in these chapters. The budding of the fig tree is known by observation (verse 32). The near coming of "the Son of man in the clouds of heaven" (verse 33) is to be known from the signs He gives. Wicked humanity knew all about the Flood when it burst upon them (verse 39). The man with one talent (25: 24), may have heard an evil report of his master and so said "Lord, I knew thee ... an hard man."

Regarding verse 12, the Lord disclaims that intimate knowledge (oida) with the five foolish virgins, which would place them among His close friends. This use of the word is well illustrated in Amos 3: 2, where the Lord says of Israel, "You only have I known of all the families of the earth," meaning His special interest in and knowledge of His chosen people.

A Solemn Warning to Watch

Because the day and hour of the Lord’s coming is a secret enshrined in the bosom of the Father, all believers must watch, be alert and ready for the unexpected and unknown hour. In one other passage only, Luke 13: 25, do we find the Lord saying, "I know you not" (oida). Both these passages relate to a time of awakening to bitter shame and remorse. This is described by Him seven times over as "the weeping and the gnashing of teeth." This would appear to be the time when the first fruits are "waved," or translated, while the unready crop is left to endure the fiery trial of the great tribulation, thus to be ripened for the harvest. How intensely solemn are these facts as the churches of Christ face a future dark with forebodings: yet brightened for the eye of faith with promise of a glorious Dawn.