Jesus is describing a future scene, and the questions belong to people who expect to be let in. They point to their record to prove they belong. They expect Jesus to agree that they prophesied, cast out devils, and did wonderful works, all "in thy name." Barnes says "in that day" means "the day of judgment; the time when the principles of all pretenders to prophecy and piety shall be tried." Barnes explains that such gifts have no necessary connection with true godliness. Gill notes that some cast out devils in Jesus' name "who do not appear to have any true faith in him." Their questions show what they were trusting: what they had done, not whether they had done the Father's will (Matthew 7:21).

Jesus answers them plainly: "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:23). He does not deny the works they list. He denies the relationship. Barnes notes that Jesus does not say He once knew them and then rejected them, but that He had never known them. Jesus then closes the sermon with the wise man who hears His sayings "and doeth them" (Matthew 7:24-27).

The "wonderful works" are dunameis, literally "powers," the common word for miracles. In the Greek, each of the three questions puts "in your name" first, so the phrase is stressed three times over. Gill says "prophesied" could mean foretelling the future, but he leans toward preaching, which Scripture sometimes also calls prophesying (Romans 12:6).

Luke records a similar warning in another setting, where those shut out say, "We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets," and hear, "I know you not whence ye are" (Luke 13:26-27).

This question shows who Jesus says He is. He speaks of "that day" and places Himself as the One people will stand before and the One whose word decides who enters the kingdom (Matthew 7:21-23). Even the works these people point to were done "in thy name," His name.

It also shows what Jesus is looking for. Matthew Henry writes that "it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue." The issue is not whether someone used His name, but whether He knew them and they did "the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). On the other side of the warning, Barnes points to 2 Timothy 2:19: "The Lord knoweth them that are his."