Matthew 25 39

Matthew 25:39 kjv

Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Matthew 25:39 nkjv

Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

Matthew 25:39 niv

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

Matthew 25:39 esv

And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

Matthew 25:39 nlt

When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 39 Meaning

Matthew 25:39 captures the bewildered denial of those separated as "goats" in Jesus' parable of the Sheep and Goats. Having been told they did not minister to Christ, they question the King, stating that they never saw Him in the states of extreme vulnerability – as a stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned – and consequently failed to serve Him. This verse profoundly reveals their lack of understanding regarding Christ's identification with "the least of these" brothers (Matt 25:40, 45), signifying a profound spiritual blindness and a failure in compassionate action.

Matthew 25 39 Context

Matthew 25:39 is part of Jesus' teaching on the Kingdom of God, specifically within the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), which outlines events leading to His second coming and the final judgment. Following parables of preparedness (the Ten Virgins) and stewardship (the Talents), the discourse culminates in the vivid Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46). This passage describes the King (Christ) separating people at His glorious return. The "sheep" are blessed for their acts of mercy and care towards the "least of these my brothers," while the "goats" are condemned for their neglect. Verse 39 gives the "goats'" shocked, defensive question, parallel to the "sheep's" humble surprise in verse 37, highlighting a crucial difference: the goats did not see Christ in the suffering, and therefore did not serve Him. This contrasts with ancient Jewish teachings emphasizing radical hospitality and care for the vulnerable, reinforcing these ethical demands as integral to genuine faith in Christ.

Matthew 25 39 Word analysis

• Or when: This opening phrase marks an incredulous question, indicating confusion and a failure to recall any instance of having neglected the King in such a manner. It signifies their unawareness of His profound identification with the suffering.

• saw we thee (εἴδομεν - eídomen): From the Greek horaō, meaning to see, perceive, understand. The aorist tense implies a specific moment of perception. Their question is a denial of having ever seen Christ directly in such distress, revealing their limited and physical understanding of who Jesus represents. They did not "perceive" or "recognize" Him in the marginalized.

• a stranger (ξένος - xénos): Refers to a foreigner, a guest, an outsider. In ancient societies, strangers were often vulnerable and reliant on hospitality for survival. It represents those who are displaced, friendless, or outside one's immediate social circle, highlighting the challenge of extending care beyond known communities.

• or naked (γυμνός - gymnós): Literally meaning naked or poorly clad, signifying extreme poverty, destitution, and lack of basic necessities. It emphasizes deep vulnerability and reliance on others for clothing and shelter.

• or sick (ἀσθενής - astheńēs): Describes one who is weak, ill, or infirm. This condition renders an individual physically helpless and in need of compassionate care, attention, and perhaps medical aid.

• or in prison (φυλακῇ - phylakē): Denotes confinement, imprisonment, or a literal jail. Prisoners in ancient times were often dependent on others for food, water, and companionship, symbolizing those who are deprived of freedom and isolated from society, possibly due to injustice or a marginalized status.

• and did not minister unto thee (οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι - ou diēkonēsamen soi): The key phrase indicating a sin of omission.

  • οὐ (ou): The emphatic negative particle, reinforcing their strong denial.
  • διηκονήσαμέν (diēkonēsamen): From the Greek verb diakoneō, meaning to serve, to wait on, to minister. This verb is the root of "deacon" and signifies active, humble service. Their strong denial emphasizes a lack of this compassionate, practical service.
  • σοι (soi): "Unto thee" or "to you" (dative case), directly linking the action or inaction to Christ Himself.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Or when saw we thee a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison": This sequence lists specific categories of vulnerability that collectively represent the epitome of human suffering, marginalization, and dependency. The repeated "or" underscores that Christ identifies with all forms of profound need. This highlights a critical failure of the "goats" to see Christ in these suffering individuals, rather than a failure to see Him directly.
  • "and did not minister unto thee": This phrase directly identifies the sin as one of omission—a failure to provide active service or care. It's not about what they actively did against Him, but what they failed to do for Him (by not serving those in need). The denial underscores their spiritual blindness, as they separate the King from "the least of these my brothers," a distinction Christ profoundly rejects. Their question serves as a self-indictment of their fundamental misunderstanding of true righteousness and their superficiality in the face of human suffering.

Matthew 25 39 Bonus section

The shock and denial expressed by the "goats" in Matthew 25:39 is parallel to the surprise expressed by the "sheep" in Matthew 25:37-38. While both groups are surprised, their reasons are opposite: the sheep are humbly surprised that their service was counted as service to the King, implying their actions were born of simple, loving hearts without expectation of divine recognition; the goats are dismayed to learn that their neglect of others was considered neglect of Christ Himself. This duality underscores that neither group consciously ministered to Jesus in these specific ways, but only one group instinctively lived out the compassion that reveals genuine relationship with Him. The verse therefore functions as a crucial teaching that genuine faith and love for Christ are authenticated by the unsolicited and selfless care extended to those considered "least" by the world. It stresses that one cannot truly claim to love God if they disregard the plight of their fellow human beings.

Matthew 25 39 Commentary

Matthew 25:39 encapsulates the core problem of the condemned in the final judgment: spiritual blindness that manifests as a lack of active love and service. Their defensive query reveals they operated under a paradigm where showing piety involved visible acts directed at "God" or "holy figures," failing to grasp Christ's revolutionary teaching that service to the most vulnerable among humanity is service to Him. This passage powerfully warns against a superficial faith disconnected from practical compassion. It emphasizes that genuine love for God naturally overflows into love and tangible care for fellow human beings, especially those most in need. The "goats" are condemned not for malicious deeds but for inaction, a failure of empathetic vision and responsive ministry. This highlights the weight of omissions in God's judgment and challenges believers to identify Christ in all those who suffer.