Matthew 25:42
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Original Language Analysis
ἐπείνασα
I was an hungred
G3983
ἐπείνασα
I was an hungred
Strong's:
G3983
Word #:
1 of 12
to famish (absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
3 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐδώκατέ
ye gave
G1325
ἐδώκατέ
ye gave
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
5 of 12
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
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
Cross References
1 Corinthians 16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.Matthew 12:30He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.John 5:23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.2 Thessalonians 1:8In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:1 John 4:20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?Matthew 25:35For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:John 14:21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.Amos 6:6That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph.
Historical Context
The goats' condemnation echoes prophetic denunciations of Israel's failures: 'Woe unto you... for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men' (Matthew 23:13). James would later write: 'To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin' (James 4:17). First-century Christian communities practiced radical economic sharing (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35); those who refused to share faced judgment (Ananias and Sapphira, Acts 5:1-11).
Questions for Reflection
- How does judgment for omission (what we failed to do) challenge cultural Christianity's focus on avoiding 'big sins'?
- What does Christ's identification with the thirsty teach about the seriousness of ignoring physical need?
- In what ways might comfortable Christians today be guilty of the same neglect as the goats?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat (ἐπείνασα καὶ οὐκ ἐδώκατέ μοι φαγεῖν, epeinasa kai ouk edōkate moi phagein)—The identical language from v. 35 now condemns through negation. The Greek ouk (not) is emphatic: they actively failed to give. This isn't passive oversight but culpable neglect.
I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink (ἐδίψησα καὶ οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ με, edipsēsa kai ouk epotisate me)—Christ's cry from the cross, 'I thirst' (John 19:28), makes this judgment searingly personal. To refuse water to the thirsty is to re-crucify Christ in His members. The judgment isn't for what they did, but for what they failed to do.