Matthew 25:44
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
Original Language Analysis
τότε
Then
G5119
τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 26
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἀποκριθήσονται
answer
G611
ἀποκριθήσονται
answer
Strong's:
G611
Word #:
2 of 26
to conclude for oneself, i.e., (by implication) to respond; by hebraism (compare h6030) to begin to speak (where an address is expected)
αὐτοὶ
him
G846
αὐτοὶ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτοὶ
him
G846
αὐτοὶ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 26
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγοντες
saying
G3004
λέγοντες
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Κύριε
Lord
G2962
Κύριε
Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
7 of 26
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
εἴδομεν
saw we
G1492
εἴδομεν
saw we
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
10 of 26
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
πεινῶντα
an hungred
G3983
πεινῶντα
an hungred
Strong's:
G3983
Word #:
11 of 26
to famish (absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave
ξένον
a stranger
G3581
ξένον
a stranger
Strong's:
G3581
Word #:
15 of 26
foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer
ἀσθενῆ
sick
G772
ἀσθενῆ
sick
Strong's:
G772
Word #:
19 of 26
strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)
φυλακῇ
prison
G5438
φυλακῇ
prison
Strong's:
G5438
Word #:
22 of 26
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
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Matthew 7:22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?Luke 10:29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?Jeremiah 2:23How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley, know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways;Jeremiah 2:35Yet thou sayest, Because I am innocent, surely his anger shall turn from me. Behold, I will plead with thee, because thou sayest, I have not sinned.Malachi 3:13Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?Malachi 2:17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?Malachi 1:6A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?
Historical Context
The goats' defensive question parallels Israel's complaint in Malachi 3:13-15: 'What have we spoken so much against thee?' When confronted with their hard words, they feign innocence. Similarly, the goats can't recall neglecting Christ because they never perceived His presence in the vulnerable. This judicial scene anticipates Revelation 20:12-15, where books are opened and the dead judged 'according to their works.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does calling Jesus 'Lord' without obedience constitute taking His name in vain?
- What spiritual blindness prevents people from seeing Christ in the suffering and marginalized?
- In what ways might our theological correctness mask practical failure to serve Christ through serving others?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord (τότε ἀποκριθήσονται καὶ αὐτοὶ λέγοντες, Κύριε, tote apokrithēsontai kai autoi legontes, Kyrie)—Even the condemned call Him Kyrie (Lord), echoing Jesus's warning: 'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 7:21). Verbal profession without obedient action proves empty.
When saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? (πότε σε εἴδομεν... καὶ οὐ διηκονήσαμέν σοι, pote se eidomen... kai ou diēkonēsamen soi)—The verb diakoneō means to serve, to minister. Their protest reveals they never saw Christ in the needy; they lacked the eyes of faith that perceive Christ's presence among 'the least of these.'