The Bible verse you’re looking for is likely 

Matthew 7:23, where Jesus says, “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers!'” (NIV), highlighting that outward religious acts aren’t enough for salvation; true knowing of God and doing His will is required. It’s part of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:21-23 about false prophets and the narrow gate, warning that merely saying “Lord, Lord” or performing miracles in His name isn’t sufficient if there isn’t a genuine, heart-level relationship with Him. 

Key Context & Meaning:

• False Professors: Jesus describes people who claim religious authority, perform works, and cast out demons in His name, but who didn’t truly follow God’s will.
• “I Never Knew You”: This signifies a lack of genuine intimacy, relationship, and personal knowledge, not just a lack of awareness, according to Bible Study Tools.
• “Depart From Me, You Evildoers/Workers of Lawlessness”: Jesus tells them to leave because their actions stemmed from self-interest or disobedience, not love for God.
• True Knowing: Salvation comes from a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, involving obedience and doing the will of God, not just religious performance, as explained in Soul Survival. 

“I never knew you” appears in 

Matthew 7:23, a passage from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount emphasizing the difference between external religious actions and a genuine relationship with God. 

This passage highlights that entering the kingdom of heaven requires doing the will of the Father, not merely saying “Lord, Lord”. The word “knew” in this context signifies a personal and intimate connection, not just intellectual familiarity. Jesus’ warning is directed towards those who perform spiritual deeds but lack true faith, calling them “workers of lawlessness,” which implies rebellion against God’s commands. 

For the full text of Matthew 7:21-23, see Bible Gateway or Quora. 

Similar warnings appear in other parts of the Bible. For example, Luke 13:25–27 includes Jesus saying, “I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!”. Matthew 25:11–12, from the Parable of the Ten Virgins, quotes the bridegroom saying, “Truly, I say to you, I do not know you”. Additionally, 2 Timothy 2:19 mentions, “The Lord knows those who are His”.