Matthew 25:44

KJV

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G5119} shall they {G846} also {G2532} answer {G611} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Lord {G2962}, when {G4219} saw we {G1492} thee {G4571} an hungred {G3983}, or {G2228} athirst {G1372}, or {G2228} a stranger {G3581}, or {G2228} naked {G1131}, or {G2228} sick {G772}, or {G2228} in {G1722} prison {G5438}, and {G2532} did {G1247} not {G3756} minister {G1247} unto thee {G4671}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Then they too will reply, `Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison, and not take care of you?'

Berean Standard Bible

And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’

American Standard Version

Then shall they also answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 25:44 captures the bewildered response of those condemned in Jesus' parable of the Sheep and the Goats, as they express incredulity at the charge of neglecting Christ. Their question—"Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?"—reveals a profound lack of awareness regarding their failure to serve the marginalized, underscoring the parable's central message that true discipleship is evidenced by practical, compassionate action toward the "least of these."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Jesus' eschatological discourse on the Mount of Olives, specifically as part of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, which concludes the series of parables in [Matthew 25](/matthew/25 "Matthew 25 - Parables of Preparation for the End Times"). Preceding this verse, Jesus has already pronounced judgment upon the "goats" in [Matthew 25:41-43](/matthew/25-41-43 "Matthew 25:41-43 - The King's Condemnation of the Goats"), enumerating their failures to provide basic care to those in need: the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned. The question posed in verse 44 is their direct, astonished reply to this condemnation, highlighting their complete ignorance of the spiritual implications of their inaction. This immediate context emphasizes the King's identification with the suffering and the unexpected nature of the judgment for those who neglected them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The parable reflects the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where shepherds separated sheep from goats, a common practice that served as a vivid metaphor for divine judgment. Hospitality to strangers (xenia) was a deeply ingrained cultural value, rooted in Old Testament commands like [Deuteronomy 10:19](/deuteronomy/10-19 "Deuteronomy 10:19 - Love the Stranger") and exemplified by figures like Abraham. Neglecting the poor and vulnerable was considered a serious offense against God's law and covenant, as seen in prophetic condemnations (e.g., [Amos 2:6-7](/amos/2-6-7 "Amos 2:6-7 - Judgment on Israel's Injustice")). Imprisonment, often for debt or political reasons, meant extreme vulnerability, as prisoners relied entirely on external support. Jesus' teaching here elevates these common acts of human compassion to a divine standard, revealing that such care is not merely social etiquette but a direct expression of one's relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 25:44 contributes significantly to several key themes within the broader chapter and the Gospel of Matthew. The most prominent is **Judgment by Action**, where salvation or condemnation is revealed through concrete deeds of mercy, rather than mere verbal profession. This aligns with Jesus' teaching that "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 who is in heaven" ([Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Doing the Will of the Father")). Another crucial theme is **Christ's Radical Identification with the Marginalized**, where Jesus explicitly states that ministering to "the least of these my brethren" is ministering to Him directly ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Identification with the Least")). The "goats'" question in this verse highlights their **Unrecognized Neglect**, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness to the divine presence in the suffering of others, a blindness that proves fatal in the final judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **hungred (Greek, _peináō'_):** From the same root as "poor," this word signifies to famish, to be in a state of extreme hunger, whether literally or figuratively. It speaks to a fundamental human need and vulnerability.
* **naked (Greek, _gymnós'_):** This term denotes being nude or poorly clothed, implying a state of extreme poverty and exposure. It highlights a basic human need for protection and dignity.
* **minister (Greek, _diakonéō'_):** Meaning "to be an attendant," "to wait upon," or "to serve," this verb implies practical, hands-on service, often in a humble capacity. It is the root from which the word "deacon" derives, emphasizing active, compassionate care rather than passive observation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison":** This clause captures the astonished and incredulous response of the condemned. Their question reveals a profound disconnect between their perception of their actions and the King's judgment. They cannot recall a time when they directly encountered Jesus in such vulnerable states, indicating their spiritual blindness to His presence in the suffering of others. The repetition of "or" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the neglected needs.
* **"and did not minister unto thee?":** This concluding phrase is the core of their bewildered query. It highlights their denial of the accusation of neglect. They genuinely believe they have not failed to serve Christ, because they did not recognize Him in the guise of the "least of these." Their question underscores the parable's central point: failure to act compassionately towards the vulnerable is, in essence, a failure to serve Christ Himself.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Rhetorical Question** to emphasize the "goats'" profound ignorance and surprise. Their question is not seeking information but expressing disbelief, highlighting their spiritual blindness. The **Parallelism** in the list of needs (hungred, athirst, stranger, naked, sick, in prison) creates a comprehensive picture of human vulnerability and underscores the breadth of their neglect. This list also functions as **Synecdoche**, where specific instances of suffering stand in for all forms of human need, making the parable's application broad and universal. Furthermore, the entire exchange demonstrates **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience (and Jesus) understands the profound identification of Christ with the suffering, while the "goats" remain tragically unaware until the point of judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 25:44 profoundly challenges the notion that spiritual devotion can exist in isolation from practical compassion. It reveals that the ultimate judgment is not merely based on theological assent or religious rituals, but on the tangible expression of love for one's neighbor, particularly the most vulnerable. The "goats'" surprise highlights a common human tendency to compartmentalize faith, separating belief from behavior, and failing to recognize the divine mandate embedded in acts of mercy. This verse underscores the radical truth that Christ is intimately present in the suffering of humanity, making every act of kindness or neglect towards "the least of these" an act directed towards Him.

* [Proverbs 14:31](/proverbs/14-31 "Oppressing the Poor")
* [James 2:14-17](/james/2-14-17 "Faith Without Works is Dead")
* [1 John 4:20](/1_john/4-20 "Loving God and Neighbor")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 25:44 serves as a stark and sobering mirror for self-examination, urging us to consider the true nature of our faith and its practical outworking. The "goats'" bewildered question is a warning against a faith that is intellectual or ritualistic but lacks active, empathetic engagement with human suffering. It compels us to cultivate a spiritual vision that perceives Christ not only in grand theological concepts or sacred spaces but also in the face of the hungry, the thirsty, the marginalized, the sick, and the imprisoned. Our response to human need is not merely an ethical choice but a profound theological statement about our relationship with God. This verse calls us to move beyond passive observation or abstract sympathy to active, sacrificial service, recognizing that every act of compassion is an opportunity to minister directly to our Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be unknowingly neglecting Christ by overlooking the needs of "the least of these" in my community or the world?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater awareness of Christ's presence in the suffering and marginalized around me?**
* **What practical steps can I take this week to "minister" to someone in need, recognizing that I am serving Christ Himself?**
* **Does my faith primarily manifest in intellectual understanding and personal devotion, or does it also compel me to tangible acts of love and mercy?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "goats'" surprise in Matthew 25:44?**

Answer: The surprise of the "goats" is profoundly significant because it highlights their complete spiritual blindness and self-deception. They genuinely did not realize that their neglect of the vulnerable was tantamount to neglecting Christ Himself. This reveals that true faith is not merely a verbal profession or a set of beliefs, but a lived reality expressed through compassionate action. Their question, "Lord, when saw we thee... and did not minister unto thee?", underscores that they had a distorted view of what it meant to serve God, failing to connect their spiritual life with their ethical responsibilities to others, especially the marginalized. This serves as a powerful warning that genuine discipleship involves recognizing and responding to Christ in the needs of our neighbors, as articulated in [Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Identification with the Least").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 25:44, though spoken by those condemned, points powerfully to the Christ who identifies with the suffering, foreshadowing His ultimate act of solidarity with humanity on the cross. The King's declaration that "inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Identification with the Least")) reveals the very heart of the Incarnation: God becoming flesh to dwell among us, experiencing human vulnerability and suffering ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Jesus, the Son of Man, did not merely teach about serving the hungry and thirsty; He Himself experienced hunger in the wilderness ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Temptation")) and thirst on the cross ([John 19:28](/john/19-28 "John 19:28 - Jesus' Thirst on the Cross")). He was a stranger with no place to lay His head ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has No Place to Lay His Head")), was stripped naked before His crucifixion ([Matthew 27:28](/matthew/27-28 "Matthew 27:28 - Jesus Mocked")), was "sick" unto death in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:38](/matthew/26-38 "Matthew 26:38 - Jesus' Anguish in Gethsemane")), and was imprisoned and unjustly condemned ([Matthew 27:1-2](/matthew/27-1-2 "Matthew 27:1-2 - Jesus Delivered to Pilate")). Thus, the judgment described in Matthew 25 is not arbitrary but flows from the very nature of Christ's redemptive work, where He fully entered into human suffering, making acts of mercy toward others a direct response to His own sacrificial love and identification with humanity. His call to serve the vulnerable is a call to participate in His ongoing mission of compassion and redemption, reflecting the love of the One who "came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 25:24

Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

Matthew 25:27

Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

Luke 10:29

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

Matthew 7:22

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?

Malachi 3:13

¶ Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee?

1 Samuel 15:20

And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

1 Samuel 15:21

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.