Texts in Conversation
Matthew 7 uses the formulaic phrase “Lord, Lord,” which also appears in the Greek Septuagint of Psalm 108. While the psalm describes an intense plea for mercy, Jesus uses it to question the value of claims of loyalty without action.
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2500 BCE
1000+ CE
LXX Psalm 108:21
Septuagint
19 Let it be to him as a garment which he puts on, and as a belt with which he binds himself continually. 20 This is the dealing of the Lord with those who falsely accuse me, and of those who speak evil against my soul. 21 But you, Lord, Lord, deal mercifully with me, for your name's sake: for your mercy is good. 22 Deliver me, for I am poor and needy; and my heart is troubled within me. 23 I am removed as a shadow in its going down: I am tossed up and down like locusts.
Date: 100–1 BCE (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 7:21
New Testament
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruit. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven—only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?’ 23 Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’
Date: 70–90 CE (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... The dual address of God as “Lord, Lord,” though not unusual, serves still to amplify the intensity and directness of Eve’s prayer. The words, κύριε κύριε, translate in LXX אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה (e.g., Deuteronomy 3:24; 9:26; Judges 6:22; 16:28; Psalm 69:7; Amos 7:2, 5; Ezekiel 23:46) or יְהוִה אֲדֹנָי (LXX Psalm 108:21; 139:8; 140:8). In Matthew 7:21–22, Jesus says straightforwardly, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?’” In Luke 6:46, he asks simply, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” And in the parable of the bridesmaids who arrive late, they say, “Lord, lord, open to us” (Matthew 25:11) ..."
John R. Levison and Johannes Tromp, The Greek Life of Adam and Eve (Berlin: de Gruyter, 2023), 679.
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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Jason Staples has an article on his topic too where he claims that his is Jesus applying the Divine Name (YHWH) to himself. Might be worth checking out
Jason Staples has an article on his topic too where he claims that his is Jesus applying the Divine Name (YHWH) to himself. Might be worth checking out