Matthew 25:36 kjv
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Matthew 25:36 nkjv
I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
Matthew 25:36 niv
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Matthew 25:36 esv
I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Matthew 25:36 nlt
I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
Matthew 25 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 25:40 | “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” | Direct restatement by Jesus. |
| Mt 25:45 | “…inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” | Inverse statement, reinforcing identification. |
| Prov 19:17 | “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.” | Caring for poor as service to God. |
| Deut 15:7-8 | “If there is among you a poor man…you shall open your hand wide to him...” | Old Testament command to help the needy. |
| Isa 58:7 | “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him…?” | Prophetic call for practical social justice. |
| Jas 1:27 | “Pure and undefiled religion before God...is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble...” | Defining true religion by practical care. |
| Jas 2:15-16 | “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute...and one of you says...‘Be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them...what does it profit?” | Faith demonstrated through actions, not just words. |
| Lk 10:33-34 | “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed...had compassion...bound up his wounds...” | Good Samaritan's compassion for the afflicted. |
| Gal 2:10 | “...they desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” | Apostolic emphasis on caring for the poor. |
| Heb 13:3 | “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” | Exhortation to remember and identify with prisoners. |
| Heb 13:16 | “But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” | Sharing and doing good as pleasing to God. |
| 1 Jn 3:17 | “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” | Love for God linked to practical love for brother. |
| Acts 9:4-5 | “…Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting…” | Christ's identification with His suffering people. |
| Col 1:24 | “I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ...” | Paul's identification with Christ's sufferings for the church. |
| 1 Cor 12:26 | “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” | Interconnectedness and shared experience within the Body of Christ. |
| Dan 12:3 | “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” | Judgment/reward related to righteous actions. |
| Mt 10:42 | “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water…he shall by no means lose his reward.” | Small acts of service rewarded. |
| Eph 2:10 | “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” | Good works as a purpose of creation in Christ. |
| Rom 2:6 | “who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’...” | Judgment according to deeds. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | “Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion, Everyone to his brother. Do not oppress the widow or the orphan, The alien or the poor; Do not let none of you plot evil against his brother.'” | Prophetic call for justice, mercy, and compassion. |
Matthew 25 verses
Matthew 25 36 Meaning
This verse is part of Jesus' parousia discourse, specifically within the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Mt 25:31-46), describing the criteria for judgment at the end of the age. It highlights that acts of practical compassion and service rendered to the most vulnerable, neglected, and suffering members of society are, in fact, rendered directly to Jesus Himself. It enumerates three specific acts of mercy: providing clothes to the naked, visiting the sick, and coming to those imprisoned. This identification emphasizes the profound spiritual significance of tangible, loving action towards fellow human beings.
Matthew 25 36 Context
This verse is an integral part of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), Jesus' final extensive public teaching before His crucifixion. Chapter 25 is dedicated to parables emphasizing readiness for His second coming. The preceding parables (the Ten Virgins and the Talents) stress alertness and faithful stewardship. Mt 25:31-46, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, then vividly describes the final judgment, where all nations will be gathered before the Son of Man. This specific verse (36) lists specific acts of compassionate service performed by the "sheep" (the righteous), acts that define their true character and commitment to God. Historically and culturally, acts of charity (tzedakah) and hospitality (philoxenia) were deeply valued in ancient Jewish society, stemming from Mosaic Law and prophetic tradition that called for radical care for the poor, widow, orphan, and sojourner. Jesus consistently elevated these practical displays of love above mere ritualistic observance, directly challenging prevailing beliefs that might separate piety from humanitarian action.
Matthew 25 36 Word analysis
- I was naked (γυμνὸς ἤμην - gymnos ēmen): "Naked" here refers to being inadequately clothed, vulnerable, without dignity or means, rather than literally completely unclothed. It implies destitution and a desperate need for covering, both physical and metaphorical. This condition evokes shame and extreme poverty.
- and you clothed Me (καὶ περιεβάλετέ με - kai periebalete me): To "clothe" implies providing covering, warmth, and restoring dignity. This is an active verb indicating a deliberate act of compassionate provision for someone in severe lack. It demonstrates empathetic engagement.
- I was sick (ἀσθενὴς - asthenēs): This describes a state of physical weakness, illness, or infirmity. The "sick" were often marginalized in society, lacking medical care and companionship. This highlights human frailty and the need for tenderness and attention.
- and you visited Me (καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με - kai epeskepsasthe me): To "visit" signifies more than a mere glance; it means to inspect, look after, or attend to with concern. It suggests active presence, comfort, and providing care, whether practical or emotional, to someone unable to care for themselves.
- I was in prison (ἐν φυλακῇ - en phylakē): Literally "in a guard-house" or jail. This often refers to those unjustly confined, or those ostracized by society and thrown into literal prisons. It signifies a state of severe restriction, isolation, and powerlessness. Such individuals were frequently forgotten and abandoned.
- and you came to Me (καὶ ἤλθετε πρός με - kai ēltete pros me): To "come to" means to approach, to make a personal effort to be present with someone in a difficult, uncomfortable, or dangerous situation. This act conveys solidarity, courage, and unconditional compassion, breaking through social barriers and fear.
Words-group analysis:
- "I was naked... clothed Me; I was sick... visited Me; I was in prison... came to Me": This powerful triplet structures the verse around states of severe human vulnerability (nakedness, sickness, imprisonment) and corresponding acts of radical mercy (clothing, visiting, coming). Each pairing links the destitute human condition directly to an active, compassionate response, all culminating in the profound statement "you clothed/visited/came to Me," which unveils Christ's deep identification with the afflicted. This emphasizes that genuine faith is active love, embodied in practical service. The pattern underscores that care for the forgotten reflects love for God Himself.
Matthew 25 36 Bonus section
The surprising aspect for the righteous in the subsequent verses (Mt 25:37-39) is their ignorance that they had served Jesus directly, highlighting that these deeds were performed out of pure love and compassion, not for explicit recognition from Christ or to "earn" salvation. This points to the natural overflow of a life connected to God's heart. While "the least of these My brethren" (v. 40) specifically refers to Christ's followers facing persecution and suffering for His name, the underlying principle of divine identification with the suffering extends beyond this specific group, encouraging compassion for all who bear God's image in their distress. The deliberate act of "coming" to those in prison is particularly poignant, as prisoners were often social pariahs, signifying an extraordinary commitment to solidarity with the ostracized and forgotten. This verse ultimately emphasizes that the spiritual reality of God's presence is powerfully encountered not solely in places of worship but in the tangible acts of mercy shown to humanity.
Matthew 25 36 Commentary
Matthew 25:36 is a cornerstone of Christian ethics, powerfully articulating that authentic discipleship is manifested through practical love for humanity, especially those at the fringes of society. This passage reveals Jesus' identification not merely with His direct followers, but profoundly with "the least of these" among humanity. The righteous described here are not shown performing great public deeds or impressive religious rituals, but simple, direct acts of compassionate service. Their actions spring from a heart transformed by God's love, flowing outwards towards others without expectation of reward or even recognition that they were serving Christ. It’s a compelling call to prioritize hands-on care for the marginalized, framing such acts as the truest form of worship and genuine relationship with the King. This verse implies that judgment will be based not on abstract theological assent alone, but on the tangible embodiment of divine love in daily life.Examples: Volunteering at a homeless shelter, visiting a lonely elderly person in a nursing home, advocating for victims of injustice, donating warm clothes to those in need during winter.