Matthew 25:37-40
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The righteous are surprised because they didn't see serving the least of these as serving Jesus himself. They are astonished that their seemingly small acts of kindness were recognized by God as ministering directly to Him.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, where he's explaining what his final return will be like. After describing his glorious arrival and how he will separate all people like a shepherd separating sheep from goats, he then elaborates on the criteria for this separation. The verses immediately following this one reveal that the basis for judgment is how people treated "the least of these" – Jesus' followers – demonstrating whether they showed compassion or indifference.
Why would the righteous be surprised to learn they served Jesus? They thought they were just doing good deeds.
In Matthew 25:37, the righteous respond to Jesus' pronouncements with astonishment: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?' This isn't because they were forgetful; it's a profound expression of humility.
An Unrecognized Service
They didn't see Jesus in the flesh when they offered help. Their acts of kindness were directed toward people who were hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick, or imprisoned. They likely saw these acts as simple human compassion or duty, not as direct service to God.
The True Measure of Service
Jesus redefines what it means to serve Him. He reveals that acts of mercy shown to 'the least of these' are, in fact, acts of service directly to Him. This blindsides the righteous because their focus was on the act of mercy itself, not on who they were really serving. They never imagined their ordinary acts of charity carried such divine weight.
Jesus states, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' How can this be?
This verse from Matthew 25 is a powerful revelation about the nature of our service to God. Jesus makes it clear that He identifies Himself with the vulnerable and needy.
The "Least of These"
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When Jesus speaks of 'the least of these my brothers,' He is referring to His followers, particularly those in need. This doesn't exclusively mean those who are materially poor, but also includes anyone who is marginalized, suffering, or in distress because of their faith or simply their humanity.
Divine Identification
The core of Jesus' message here is His divine identification with humanity, especially His disciples. When we extend compassion, practical help, or basic kindness to someone in need, Jesus declares that He personally receives that act. It's as if He is the one who is hungry, thirsty, or in need of clothing, and we are the ones providing it.
This is not about earning salvation through works, as Calvin notes, but about the overflow of a heart transformed by God's grace. These acts are evidence of a genuine, life-giving faith.
Understand the original words
dikaios · Greek Adjective
Refers to those who have been justified by faith in Christ and whose lives demonstrate the fruit of that transformation through obedience and acts of love. It denotes a right standing before God and a corresponding character that reflects His holiness.
basileus · Greek Noun
A title of authority, majesty, and sovereignty. In the context of this passage, it points to Christ's role as the final Judge of all nations, possessing absolute rule and divine authority.
amēn · Greek Adverb
An Aramaic word preserved in the Greek New Testament used by Jesus to introduce a statement of absolute truth, authority, and divine weight. It emphasizes the certainty and importance of what follows.
elachistos · Greek Adjective (superlative)
A social or spiritual status referring to those who are lowly, humble, or overlooked by the world. Biblically, it often points to those who are poor, marginalized, or suffering, whom God specifically cares for and identifies with.
adelphos · Greek Noun
In this context, it refers to believers in Christ who share in the family of God through faith. It signifies the spiritual bond and unity that exists among those who are part of the household of God.
This proverb directly states that showing kindness to the poor is like lending to the Lord, echoing Jesus' idea that what is done for the least of these is done for Him.
Galatians 6:10This passage encourages doing good to all, especially to those in the household of faith, aligning with Jesus' focus on ministering to His 'brothers' in Matthew 25.
1 John 3:17-18This verse highlights that true love for God is demonstrated through practical acts of compassion towards a brother in need, connecting visible acts of mercy to an invisible love for God.
James 2:15-16James emphasizes that faith without works is dead, and Matthew 25 shows that tangible acts of mercy are the evidence of genuine faith and love for Christ.
calvinMatthew 25:31-46: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:"
- Now when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32. And all the nations shall be assembled before him; and he shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats. 33. And he shall place the sheep on his right hand, and the goats…
henryMatthew 25:31-46: "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:"
25:31-46 This is a description of the last judgment. It is as an explanation of the former parables. There is a judgment to come, in which every man shall be sentenced to a state of everlasting happiness, or misery. Christ shall come, not only in the glory of his Father, but in his own glory, as Mediator. The wicked and godly here dwell together, in…
The righteous are surprised because they didn't see serving the least of these as serving Jesus himself. They are astonished that their seemingly small acts of kindness were recognized by God as ministering directly to Him.
This passage is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, where he's explaining what his final return will be like. After describing his glorious arrival and how he will separate all people like a shepherd separating sheep from goats, he then elaborates on the criteria for this separation. The verses immediately following this one reveal that the basis for judgment is how people treated "the least of these" – Jesus' followers – demonstrating whether they showed compassion or indifference.
This passage is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse, where he's explaining what his final return will be like. After describing his glorious arrival and how he will separate all people like a shepherd separating sheep from goats, he then elaborates on the criteria for this separation. The verses immediately following this one reveal that the basis for judgment is how people treated "the least of these" – Jesus' followers – demonstrating whether they showed compassion or indifference.
"Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in pris…" — The righteous are surprised because they didn't see serving the least of these as serving Jesus himself. They are astonished that their seemingly small acts of kindness were recognized by God as mini…
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Last reviewed October 2026
