Matthew 25 44

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?

Matthew 25:44 nkjv

"Then they also will answer Him, saying, '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?'

Matthew 25:44 niv

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

Matthew 25:44 esv

Then they also will answer, saying, '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?'

Matthew 25:44 nlt

"Then they will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?'

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 44 Meaning

This verse captures the surprised, self-defensive question posed by those who are condemned in the final judgment, known as the "goats." They vehemently deny that they ever failed to minister to Jesus, specifically concerning the six basic human needs previously listed by Him: hunger, thirst, being a stranger, nakedness, sickness, and imprisonment. Their question reveals a profound ignorance and disbelief regarding the Lord's identification with "the least of these."

Matthew 25 44 Context

Matthew 25:44 is embedded within the Olivet Discourse, Jesus' extensive teaching on the end times, His second coming, and the final judgment, which spans chapters 24 and 25 of Matthew. Specifically, it belongs to the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matt 25:31-46), the final of three parables in Matthew 25 that emphasize preparedness and faithfulness in light of the Lord's return. This parable depicts a universal judgment where all nations are gathered before the Son of Man, who separates them into "sheep" (the righteous) and "goats" (the condemned).

The verse immediately follows Jesus' indictment of the "goats" (v. 42-43) for their neglect. It anticipates their shocked retort, a response driven by self-deception and an inability to recognize Christ in the suffering "least of these." Culturally, the care for the poor, the stranger, and the sick was a foundational expectation within Judaism (Deut 15:7-8; Lev 19:10). Jesus elevates this principle by equating such care (or neglect) with direct action (or inaction) towards Himself. This parable stands as a direct challenge to any superficial religiosity, asserting that true faith manifests in active love and compassion towards the vulnerable, demonstrating one's true relationship with the divine Judge.

Matthew 25 44 Word analysis

• Then (Tote / τότε): A temporal adverb signifying "at that time" or "at that point." It denotes sequence, marking the moment when the condemned respond to Jesus' charges. It highlights the direct and immediate nature of their surprised retort in the judgment scene.
• they also (kakeinoi / κἀκεῖνοι): This compound word, formed from "kai" (and, also) and "ekeinoi" (those), emphasizes that just as the righteous offered their confident defense, so too do the condemned present their surprised counter-argument. It points to the specific group of "goats" who are the subject of the condemnation, indicating their reciprocal interaction with the King.
• will answer (antapokrithēsontai / ἀνταποκριθήσονται): This word is more than a simple "reply." The Greek verb antapokrinomai carries the nuance of answering back, disputing, or making a counter-charge. It portrays a scene where the condemned do not meekly accept the judgment but actively object to the accusation, expressing disbelief and a sense of injustice. Their "answer" is a rhetorical question of denial.
• Lord (Kyrie / Κύριε): This respectful form of address acknowledges Jesus' authority. However, in this context, it underscores the profound irony and spiritual blindness of the condemned. They use a title that implies submission and recognition, yet their actions and subsequent question demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of what Lordship entails and who their Lord truly is. It implies they perhaps professed Christ but did not truly know or obey Him in their lives.
• when did we see you (poten se eidomen / πότεν σε εἴδομεν): This rhetorical question expresses astonishment, incredulity, and denial. It highlights their absolute unawareness and lack of perception concerning Jesus' hidden presence among the needy. It's a key indicator of their spiritual blindness—they didn't perceive Jesus in those around them.
• hungry (peinōnta / πεινῶντα): One of the six fundamental states of human vulnerability and need presented by Jesus.
• thirsty (dipsōnta / διψῶντα): A fundamental physical need.
• stranger (xenon / ξένον): Someone foreign or an outsider, signifying vulnerability due to lack of connection or protection. Hospitality to strangers was a profound virtue.
• naked (gymnon / γυμνόν): Without adequate clothing, symbolizing exposure, shame, and lack of provision.
• sick (asthenounta / ἀσθενοῦντα): Those afflicted by illness, who are physically weak and dependent.
• in prison (phylakē / φυλακῇ): Those incarcerated, vulnerable, isolated, and in need of advocacy and practical care. These categories comprehensively cover basic human suffering.
• and did not minister to you (kai ou diēkonēsamen soi / καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμεν σοι): This phrase describes their sin as one of omission—what they failed to do. The verb diakoneō means "to serve, minister, attend to, care for." Their question implies an absolute denial that they withheld care. This failure to minister reveals a heart devoid of true love for Christ, demonstrating that their claimed relationship with Him was superficial and did not extend to practical action.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then they also will answer, 'Lord...": This group highlights the shock and the formal address. It sets up the confrontation: a group professing reverence ('Lord') yet utterly shocked by the accusation. The word 'answer' (ἀνταποκριθήσονται) particularly signals a challenging or disputing response rather than mere acceptance.
• "'...when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison...": This cumulative listing reiterates the specific opportunities they missed to serve Christ. The repeated "or" emphasizes that the opportunities were abundant and across various facets of human suffering. Their shock comes from not making the connection between "these" needy people and Jesus Himself. It underscores their complete spiritual myopia and lack of empathetic imagination.
• "...and did not minister to you?'": This culminating phrase captures the essence of their failure—it was not an active persecution but a passive neglect, a failure to act when faced with obvious need. The rhetorical question format ("and did not minister...?") signifies a forceful denial of wrongdoing and a desperate plea of innocence. This failure reveals the absence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ and true faith that is inherently active in love.

Matthew 25 44 Bonus section

The shock of the condemned in Matthew 25:44 extends beyond simple denial. It highlights a common human tendency: a belief that relationship with God is abstract, separate from concrete, daily interactions with others. Many expect divine judgment to hinge on spectacular failures or dramatic declarations of unbelief, not on the quiet, unremarked instances of neglecting a neighbor's need. This self-deception implies a failure to grasp the imago Dei (image of God) in fellow humans, particularly the needy, and thus, a failure to honor God by honoring His creation. The parables leading up to this point in Matthew 25, such as the Ten Virgins (preparedness) and the Talents (stewardship), set the stage for this final judgment by demonstrating that one's relationship with Christ is shown not only by expectation and responsibility but fundamentally by active, self-giving love. This passage continues to challenge believers today to consistently examine their own lives for the presence of authentic love expressed through sacrificial action towards "the least."

Matthew 25 44 Commentary

Matthew 25:44 provides a piercing insight into the nature of the final judgment and the often-hidden realities of the human heart. The condemned's shocked question, "Lord, when did we see you... and did not minister to you?", is deeply ironic and tragic. It underscores their complete lack of understanding concerning Christ's identification with the most vulnerable among humanity. They expected a judgment based on overt evil or profound theological error, but they are condemned for their omissions—for what they failed to do. Their protest is not rooted in genuine innocence but in spiritual blindness; they addressed Jesus as "Lord" but fundamentally failed to recognize His presence and needs in others.

This verse clarifies that true faith is not merely intellectual assent or a verbal profession; it is an active, living faith that expresses itself through practical love and compassion. The failure to minister to the "least of these" is presented as a direct failure to minister to Christ Himself, demonstrating that such individuals did not genuinely know Him or His nature. The condemnation of the "goats" is therefore not about 'earning' salvation through good works, but about their works (or lack thereof) revealing their true spiritual condition. Their lack of love and service was evidence of an absence of Christ's Spirit within them, marking them as belonging outside the Kingdom. It is a powerful warning against superficial religiosity that separates belief from practical, compassionate living.

Examples:

• Refusing to offer shelter to the homeless on a cold night because one deems them unworthy.
• Ignoring calls to support ministries aiding victims of natural disasters while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.
• Turning a blind eye to the marginalized in one's community, such as single mothers struggling with childcare or an elderly neighbor needing help with groceries.