Matthew 25:44

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?

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}?

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?'

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?’

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?

Matthew 25:44 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' profound teaching on the final judgment, often referred to as the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, found in Matthew 25:31-46. This particular verse captures the bewildered response of those who are condemned, illustrating their lack of awareness regarding their neglect of others, and by extension, of Christ Himself.

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' declaration to the "goats" (the condemned) in Matthew 25:41-43, where He lists specific acts of omission: not feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, or comforting those in prison. Their question in verse 44—"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 their genuine surprise and highlights the core message: they failed to recognize Christ in the suffering of their fellow human beings. This parable presents a powerful picture of a judgment based not merely on profession, but on practical, compassionate action.

Key Themes

  • Unrecognized Neglect: The "goats'" question underscores their profound ignorance or indifference regarding the suffering around them. They were not actively malicious, but passively neglectful, failing to see opportunities for service.
  • Christ's Identification with the Needy: The most striking theme is Jesus' radical identification with the marginalized. As He declares in Matthew 25:40, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Conversely, as seen in this verse, failing to minister to them is failing to minister to Him.
  • Judgment by Action: The parable emphasizes that the final judgment is not solely based on theological understanding or verbal affirmation, but on tangible acts of mercy and love. It aligns with the principle that faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "did not minister unto thee" comes from the Greek verb diakoneō (διακονέω), which means "to serve," "to wait upon," or "to attend to." This is the root word for "deacon" and signifies practical, often humble, service. The "goats" did not perform this basic, hands-on service, indicating a lack of active love and practical compassion in their lives.

Practical Application

Matthew 25:44 serves as a profound challenge to believers today. It calls us to:

  • See Christ in Others: It compels us to look beyond the immediate appearance of the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned, and to recognize the presence of Christ in them. Every act of compassion towards "the least of these" is an act of worship and service to God Himself.
  • Examine Our Hearts: This verse prompts self-examination. Are we truly engaged in acts of mercy, or are we passively neglecting the needs around us, perhaps unaware of the spiritual significance of such neglect?
  • Prioritize Practical Love: While doctrine and worship are vital, this parable underscores the essential nature of practical love and service as a hallmark of genuine faith. It reminds us that giving to the poor is lending to the Lord (Proverbs 19:17) and will be repaid.

The "goats'" surprise is a stark warning: true discipleship is evidenced by a compassionate heart that actively seeks to alleviate suffering, recognizing that in serving humanity, we serve our Lord.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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