In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus addresses those who claim to follow Him, even performing works "in His name," but are ultimately rejected as "workers of lawlessness" (ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν). To fully grasp this passage, we must consider the deeper meaning behind "lawlessness" and the ways in which it mirrors the actions of certain corrupt leaders and authorities, as depicted in the Psalms.
The phrase "workers of lawlessness" (ἐργαζόμενοι τὴν ἀνομίαν) often appears in the Psalms, where it condemns those who engage in deceitful schemes and injustices under a guise of legitimacy. This "lawlessness" is not mere neglect of religious law but includes intentional acts of harm, entrapment, and oppression against the righteous or vulnerable. Psalm 5:6, for instance, speaks of how the "lawless" will not stand before God because they work iniquity, often disguising their intentions as legal or just. These actions are described as traps and snares, likened to the "snare of the fowler" that entangles the unsuspecting, a theme found in Psalm 91.
In the context of Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus’ rebuke of "workers of lawlessness" can be seen as a warning against religious hypocrisy and deceit. These people perform acts that appear virtuous, yet their motivations are rooted in schemes that distort justice and manipulate the law to serve corrupt purposes. This theme aligns with the Psalms, where such "lawless workers" often receive support from those in power, like priests and kings, who use the influence of marginalized voices or individuals of low social standing to discredit and persecute those they wish to eliminate or silence.
For Jesus' listeners, this message would have resonated as a critique of the religious leaders and legal authorities who were known to abuse their power, setting legal traps under the pretense of righteousness. This pattern aligns with the legal concept of "enemy criminal law" (Feindstrafrecht), where certain groups or individuals are subjected to unjust treatment under the guise of protecting societal order. Such lawlessness is marked by its targeting of individuals deemed expendable or undesirable, often relying on manipulated witnesses and social prejudice to achieve its ends.
In invoking "lawlessness," Jesus challenges His followers to discern true righteousness from acts that only appear lawful. This interpretation reinforces that God will ultimately expose and reject those who misuse religious or legal authority to oppress others, fulfilling the promise in Psalm 140:9 to guard the righteous from the snares of the wicked.
