Matthew 25:45 kjv
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
Matthew 25:45 nkjv
Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'
Matthew 25:45 niv
"He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
Matthew 25:45 esv
Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
Matthew 25:45 nlt
"And he will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'
Matthew 25 45 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 14:31 | Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him. | God identifies with the oppressed poor. |
| Prov 19:17 | Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. | Generosity to the poor is lending to God. |
| Deut 15:7-8 | If among you, one of your brothers should become poor... you shall open your hand to him... | Old Testament command for charity. |
| Isa 58:6-7 | ...loose the bonds of wickedness, undo the straps of the yoke... share your bread with the hungry... bring the homeless poor into your house... | True fasting involves social justice. |
| Ezek 16:49 | Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. | Neglect of the poor as a sin. |
| Zech 7:9-10 | Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another... do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor... | Divine command for justice and mercy. |
| Matt 10:42 | And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. | Care for the "little ones" for reward. |
| Matt 18:5 | Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me. | Receiving the humble is receiving Christ. |
| Matt 22:39 | You shall love your neighbor as yourself. | The second great commandment; basis for charity. |
| Rom 13:8-10 | Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. | Love for neighbor fulfills the law. |
| 1 Jn 3:17 | But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? | Lack of compassion negates God's love. |
| 1 Jn 4:20 | If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar... | Love for God necessitates love for neighbor. |
| James 1:27 | Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction... | Practical care as true religion. |
| James 2:14-16 | What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? ...If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed... | Faith without works is dead, exemplified by lack of practical care. |
| James 2:20 | Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? | Works validate faith. |
| Heb 13:16 | Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. | Sharing is a pleasing sacrifice. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. | Humility and regard for others. |
| Gal 6:10 | So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. | Do good to all, especially believers. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Principle of giving with joy. |
| Acts 20:35 | In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' | Apostolic emphasis on helping the weak. |
| 1 Tim 6:18 | They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share... | Instructions for the rich to do good works. |
| Matt 7:21-23 | Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. | True discipleship involves doing God's will. |
Matthew 25 verses
Matthew 25 45 Meaning
Matthew 25:45 conveys a solemn declaration by Jesus during His teaching on final judgment. He states that a failure to extend practical compassion and care to the marginalized, vulnerable, and suffering among humanity is directly equated to a failure to minister to Him personally. This emphasizes His profound identification with "the least of these," making active love and service a foundational criterion for eternal life.
Matthew 25 45 Context
Matthew 25:45 is found within the "Parable of the Sheep and the Goats" (Matt 25:31-46), which concludes Jesus' eschatological discourse in the Gospel of Matthew. This parable describes the final judgment where the "Son of Man" (Jesus) separates all nations into two groups. The "sheep" are blessed and enter eternal life for their acts of practical compassion towards those in need ("the least of these"), whom they unknowingly served as serving Christ. Conversely, the "goats" are condemned to eternal punishment precisely for their failure to perform these acts of mercy, equating their neglect of the needy with neglect of Christ Himself. The preceding parables in Matthew 25—the Ten Virgins and the Talents—also speak to the theme of readiness and responsible stewardship in light of Christ's return, leading naturally into the judgment based on action and character in the Sheep and Goats. The historical and cultural context underscores the importance of chesed (loving-kindness) and social justice within Jewish tradition, a value that Jesus dramatically redefines and centers on Himself as the ultimate recipient of such acts.
Matthew 25 45 Word analysis
- Then (Τότε - Tote): Indicates a sequential timing, referring to the moment of final judgment or the return of the Son of Man. It signifies a definitive conclusion to human history.
- he will answer (ἀποκριθήσεται - apokrithēsetai): Future tense, passive voice, but often rendered as an active response. Emphasizes Christ's authoritative pronouncement during judgment, providing a direct, ultimate declaration of consequence.
- them (αὐτοῖς - autois): Refers to the "goats," those on the left hand, who failed to show mercy.
- saying (λέγων - legōn): Present participle, indicating that this is the ongoing substance of His response.
- Truly (Ἀμήν - Amēn): Transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "so be it," "certainly," "truly." Jesus' frequent use of "Amen, I say to you" emphasizes the absolute truth, certainty, and divine authority of His declaration, calling for unquestioning acceptance. It adds solemnity and weight.
- I say to you (λέγω ὑμῖν - legō hymin): A direct, personal, and authoritative statement from Jesus to His audience and by extension, to all humanity. It underscores the personal accountability.
- as you did not do it (ἐφ̓ ὅσον οὐκ ἐποιήσατε - eph’ hoson ouk epoiēsate): Implies the extent or manner of the inaction. "Did not do it" refers directly back to the acts of hospitality, charity, and care outlined in verses 35-36 (feeding, giving drink, welcoming, clothing, visiting). The focus is on omission, the sin of neglect.
- to one (ἑνί - heni): Singly, even to just one instance. This highlights that neglect of even a single vulnerable individual is profoundly significant in the divine economy.
- of the least (ἐλαχίστων - elachistōn): Superlative form of mikros (small). Meaning "the very least," "smallest," "humblest," "most insignificant." It refers to those who are poor, marginalized, suffering, and outwardly seem to have no importance or power in human society. It could refer specifically to Jesus' disciples suffering persecution, or broadly to all suffering humanity, often interpreted as the latter given the "all nations" context.
- of these (τούτων - toutōn): Demonstrative pronoun pointing to the previously identified "least ones" – the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, imprisoned.
- you did not do it to me (οὐκ ἐποιήσατε ἐμοί - ouk epoiēsate emoi): This is the crucial, stunning identification. Jesus unequivocally states that any neglect shown to "the least of these" is a direct affront and neglect against Himself. This reveals His radical solidarity with suffering humanity and elevates acts of human compassion to acts of divine worship or rebellion.
Matthew 25 45 Bonus section
The profound identification expressed in "you did not do it to me" (Matt 25:45) suggests a concept known as "Christ in others," a core New Testament truth (Col 1:27, Gal 2:20). While Christ indwells believers, this passage extends that identification to His universal presence in humanity, especially those who bear the brunt of poverty and suffering. This perspective transforms ordinary acts of compassion into sacred encounters. The theological implication is that indifference to suffering is a fundamental rejection of Christ, leading to a profound understanding that the final judgment prioritizes deeds of love and mercy as definitive evidence of one's relationship with God, rather than mere religious profession. This teaching calls believers to a lifestyle of vigilant empathy and proactive care, reminding them that their daily interactions with the marginalized are direct opportunities to encounter and serve Christ Himself.
Matthew 25 45 Commentary
Matthew 25:45 stands as a profound summary of practical Christian ethics and a startling revelation of Christ's radical identification with suffering humanity. It clarifies that judgment is not solely based on declarations of faith or religious affiliation, but significantly on active compassion, specifically how one treats the vulnerable. The verse reveals that the Son of Man's standard for eternity involves discerning His presence, not in the powerful or overtly religious, but in the most neglected and marginalized individuals. To ignore their cries for help, their hunger, thirst, or loneliness, is to consciously or unconsciously turn away from Christ Himself. This teaching underscores that authentic faith is demonstrated through selfless love and practical action. It refutes the idea of a purely spiritual or detached piety, asserting that true worship of God is inseparable from merciful treatment of one's fellow human beings, especially those most in need.
- Example 1: Passing by a homeless person in need without offering help, while professing Christ, is seen as directly neglecting Jesus.
- Example 2: Withholding support from ministries that feed the hungry or shelter the vulnerable demonstrates a lack of true faith identified with Christ's heart.