Matthew 25:36
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
2 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
περιεβάλετέ
ye clothed
G4016
περιεβάλετέ
ye clothed
Strong's:
G4016
Word #:
3 of 15
to throw all around, i.e., invest (with a palisade or with clothing)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπεσκέψασθέ
ye visited
G1980
ἐπεσκέψασθέ
ye visited
Strong's:
G1980
Word #:
7 of 15
to inspect, i.e., (by implication) to select; by extension, to go to see, relieve
φυλακῇ
prison
G5438
φυλακῇ
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
10 of 15
a guarding or (concretely, guard), the act, the person; figuratively, the place, the condition, or (specially), the time (as a division of day or nigh
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 15
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἤλθετε
ye came
G2064
ἤλθετε
ye came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
13 of 15
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.Hebrews 13:3Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.Hebrews 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.Acts 20:35I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.Isaiah 58:7Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?Matthew 25:43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.Luke 3:11He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.Ezekiel 34:4The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.Ezekiel 18:7And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame cultures viewed disease and imprisonment as divine judgment; caring for such people meant bearing their shame. Yet Torah mandated: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him' (Proverbs 25:21, cited Romans 12:20). Early Christians were known for plague care when pagans fled (Eusebius records this during 3rd-century epidemics). Imprisoned believers needed support—Paul repeatedly thanked those who aided him in chains (Philippians 4:14-18, 2 Timothy 1:16-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does ministry to the sick and imprisoned challenge our tendency toward self-protective distance?
- What does 'visiting' (looking upon with care) require beyond physical presence?
- In what ways do contemporary Christians risk 'guilt by association' when serving marginalized populations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Naked, and ye clothed me (γυμνὸς καὶ περιεβάλετέ με, gymnos kai periebalete me)—Gymnos could mean completely naked or inadequately clothed; the verb periballō means to throw around, to cover. Job's cry 'Naked I came... naked shall I return' (Job 1:21) frames human vulnerability before God.
Sick, and ye visited me (ἠσθένησα καὶ ἐπεσκέψασθέ με, ēsthenēsa kai epeskepsasthe me)—The verb episkeptomai means more than casual visiting; it means to look upon with care, to inspect with intent to help (James 1:27). Luke, the physician, would emphasize this ministry (Luke 10:34).
In prison (ἐν φυλακῇ, en phylakē)—Roman imprisonment was brutal; prisoners depended entirely on outside support for food and basic needs. Visiting prisoners risked guilt by association.