Matthew 25:44

44 Then shall *they* also answer saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungering, or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and have not ministered to thee?

Matthew 25:44 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 25:44

Then shall they also answer him
As well as the righteous, being likewise astonished at what he had said, but on a different account;

saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered or athirst, or a
stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister
to thee?
Hence it is clear again, that these men were nominal Christians, who had made a profession of Christ: they own him as Lord; and suggest that they had seen him, and known him, though never in such circumstances; for if they had, such was their love to him, and great respect and veneration for him, as they pretend, they would, to be sure, have ministered unto him; and if ever they had seen him in such a case, which they could not call to mind, they could not believe, but they must have supplied him with all things necessary and convenient.

Matthew 25:44 In-Context

42 for I hungered, and ye gave me not to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me not to drink;
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye did not clothe me; ill, and in prison, and ye did not visit me.
44 Then shall *they* also answer saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungering, or thirsting, or a stranger, or naked, or ill, or in prison, and have not ministered to thee?
45 Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have not done it to one of these least, neither have ye done it to me.
46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or 'served:' diakoneo, as ch. 4.11.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.