Matthew 25 43

Matthew 25:43 kjv

I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Matthew 25:43 nkjv

I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'

Matthew 25:43 niv

I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

Matthew 25:43 esv

I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'

Matthew 25:43 nlt

I was a stranger, and you didn't invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn't give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn't visit me.'

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 43 Meaning

Matthew 25:43 highlights a crucial aspect of final judgment: the failure of the unrighteous to perform acts of basic human compassion towards the vulnerable. The verse lists specific omissions – neglecting strangers, failing to clothe the naked, and refusing to visit the sick and imprisoned. In this powerful passage, Jesus directly identifies Himself with those in deepest need, teaching that neglecting these "least of these" is tantamount to neglecting Him directly. It reveals that authentic faith is not merely intellectual or ritualistic but actively demonstrated through practical love and mercy.

Matthew 25 43 Context

Matthew 25:43 is part of the "Olivet Discourse," a major teaching by Jesus concerning the end times, His second coming, and the final judgment. It is specifically found within the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:31-46). This parable directly follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents, both of which emphasize watchfulness, readiness, and faithful stewardship in anticipation of the Lord's return. The Sheep and the Goats parable culminates these teachings by outlining the ultimate criterion for salvation and judgment: the practical application of love towards "the least of these." Historically and culturally, hospitality (philoxenia), care for the poor, and attention to those suffering in prison were significant moral and religious duties within Jewish society, frequently championed by the Old Testament prophets as reflections of true righteousness, often in polemic contrast to mere ritualistic adherence without accompanying mercy. Jesus's teaching here is a strong re-affirmation and reinterpretation of these duties through the lens of His own divine identification with the suffering.

Matthew 25 43 Word analysis

• I was a stranger: The Greek word is xenos (ξένος), meaning a foreigner, alien, or simply a guest. In this context, it implies someone vulnerable, lacking social connections or protection, in need of shelter and welcome. This concept resonates with numerous Old Testament commands to care for the "sojourner" or "alien."
• and you did not invite me in: This denotes a failure of hospitality. The action required is to welcome, to open one's home and life to the vulnerable outsider. The omission highlights a closed heart and a lack of compassion.
• I needed clothes: The Greek is gymnos (γυμνός), meaning naked or poorly clothed. It points to extreme poverty and destitution, making someone vulnerable to the elements and social shame.
• and you did not clothe me: This signifies the failure to meet a fundamental physical need. It is a neglect of a direct, practical act of mercy, demonstrating indifference to the severe plight of another.
• I was sick: The Greek word is asthenes (ἀσθενής), meaning weak, feeble, or ill. This condition renders a person physically dependent and often socially isolated, requiring care and attention.
• and in prison: The Greek word is phylakē (φυλακή), referring to a place of confinement. Prisoners were often marginalized and cut off from support, reliant on external help and visitation for even basic needs and moral encouragement. This category of suffering was acutely neglected.
• and you did not look after me: The Greek is episkepsasthai (ἐπεσκέψασθε), from episkeptomai, meaning to visit, inspect, look after, or care for. This term encompasses actively showing concern, offering solace, and providing material assistance. The failure here is an omission of active ministry to those in dire need and isolation.

Words-group analysis

• "I was a stranger and you did not invite me in": This pairing emphasizes the lack of welcoming love and inclusion towards outsiders. It highlights the neglect of hospitality, a cornerstone of ancient culture and a recurring divine command throughout the Bible.
• "I needed clothes and you did not clothe me": This group focuses on the neglect of fundamental physical care. It illustrates a failure to address material deprivation and suffering directly, revealing an absence of practical compassion.
• "I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me": This phrase captures the deepest forms of human vulnerability – sickness that brings weakness and dependence, and imprisonment that brings isolation, destitution, and shame. The failure to "look after" (visit, care for) reveals a profound indifference to profound human suffering and isolation, encompassing both physical and emotional support. The repetition of "you did not" across all categories starkly emphasizes the consistent, pervasive pattern of omission and self-centeredness on the part of the unrighteous.

Matthew 25 43 Bonus section

The "least of these" (elathes tous elachistous touton) has been a subject of theological discussion, interpreted either as exclusively fellow believers who are suffering for Christ's sake, or universally as all needy persons, particularly the poor and marginalized. While some scholars lean towards the former due to the immediate context of suffering disciples, the overarching biblical narrative of justice, mercy, and compassion often supports a broader, more universal application of care for all in need, viewing them as reflections of human dignity made in God's image. This parable challenges any notion that faith is solely an internal or private matter, emphasizing instead its undeniable social and practical implications. The 'goats' are not depicted as actively evil, but as characterized by a striking absence of love and action, suggesting that omission can be as spiritually damning as commission. It's a call to proactive compassion, rooted in the understanding that when we encounter the suffering, we encounter Christ Himself.

Matthew 25 43 Commentary

Matthew 25:43 powerfully conveys that the unrighteous are condemned not primarily for grievous sins committed, but for essential good deeds omitted. Their sin is one of profound neglect and apathy towards suffering humanity. Jesus declares that what is withheld from "the least of these" – be it shelter for the stranger, clothing for the naked, or comfort for the sick and imprisoned – is in essence withheld from Him directly. This underscores that true faith is inherently relational and finds its truest expression in compassionate service. It is a stern warning that genuine spiritual life is indivisible from active, practical love for others, serving as a non-negotiable metric for assessing one's relationship with God and standing in the final judgment. It is not about earning salvation through works, but rather that true salvation, evidenced by transformation, will always bear the fruit of such works.For example, neglecting to contribute to a shelter for the homeless, ignoring appeals for clothes for refugees, or failing to reach out to an ill or incarcerated family member, could, in this light, be seen as a direct act of omission against Christ.