Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Many will say to me in that day, х bªyowm (H3117) hahuw' (H1931).]. What day? It is emphatically unnamed. But it is the day to which He had just referred, when men shall "enter" or not enter "into the kingdom of heaven." (See a similar way of speaking of "that day" in 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 4:8).
Lord, Lord. The reiteration denotes surprise. 'What, Lord? How is this? Are we to be disowned?'
Have we not prophesied - or 'publicly taught.' As one of the special gifts of the Spirit in the early Church, it has the sense of 'inspired and authoritative teaching,' and is ranked next to the apostleship. (See 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11.) In this sense it is used here, as appears from what follows.
In thy name? - or, 'to thy name,' and so in the two following clauses х too (G3588) soo (G4674) onomati (G3686), only here and in Mark 9:38] - having reference to Thy name as the sole power in which we did it.
And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? - or 'miracles' х dunameis (G1411)]. These are selected as three examples of the highest services rendered to the Christian cause, and through the power of Christ's own name, invoked for that purpose; Himself, too, responding to the call. And the threefold repetition of the question, each time in the same form, expresses in the liveliest manner the astonishment of the speakers at the view now taken of them.