Matthew 25:39
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Original Language Analysis
εἴδομεν
saw we
G1492
εἴδομεν
saw we
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
4 of 12
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἀσθενῆ
sick
G772
ἀσθενῆ
sick
Strong's:
G772
Word #:
5 of 12
strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)
φυλακῇ
prison
G5438
φυλακῇ
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
8 of 12
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 #:
9 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἤλθομεν
came
G2064
ἤλθομεν
came
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
10 of 12
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Visiting prisoners was particularly risky under Roman occupation; prisoners were often political detainees or those awaiting execution. Association with them could mark visitors as sympathizers. Yet Hebrews 13:3 commands: 'Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them.' The early church's care for imprisoned brothers fulfilled this, even under persecution (Acts 24:23, Paul's friends 'ministered unto him').
Questions for Reflection
- What contemporary 'prisons' (literal or metaphorical) require Christians to cross social boundaries?
- How does intentional movement toward suffering contrast with waiting for needs to be convenient?
- In what ways do sickness and imprisonment still carry stigma that genuine faith must overcome?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison? (πότε δέ σε εἴδομεν ἀσθενοῦντα ἢ ἐν φυλακῇ, pote de se eidomen asthenounta ē en phylakē)—The participle asthenounta (being sick, weak, infirm) appears throughout the Gospels for those Jesus healed. The righteous continued His healing ministry without realizing they represented Him.
And came unto thee (καὶ ἤλθομεν πρός σε, kai ēlthomen pros se)—The verb erchomai (to come, to go) implies intentional movement toward need. They didn't wait for the suffering to come to them; they went to the sick and imprisoned, crossing social boundaries of shame and contamination.