And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
What does Matthew 25:40 mean?
This is a description of the last judgment. It is as an explanation of the former parables.
Key themes
Read with
Keep this verse inside Matthew 25:38-42 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Matthew 25:40
One of the least of these - One of the obscurest, the least known, the poorest, the most despised and afflicted. My brethren - Either those who are Christians, whom he condescends to call brethren, or those who are afflicted, poor, and persecuted, who are his brethren and companions in suffering, and who suffer as he did on earth. See Hebrews 2:11 ; Matthew 12:50 . How great is the condescension and kindness of the Judge of the world, thus to reward our actions, and to consider what we have done to the poor as done to him!
Key words
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brethren. 40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, &c.
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And the king shall answer, and say unto them,.
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And the king shall answer, and say unto them,.
Context in Matthew 25
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Matthew 25 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as passion, resurrection, and mission. Matthew presents Jesus as Davidic Messiah, new Moses, teacher of the kingdom, suffering Son of Man, and risen Lord who commissions the nations. Read this chapter with the wider themes of fulfillment, kingdom of heaven, and discipleship in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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Bible verses about justice and mercy
Key texts on public righteousness, neighbor-love, social ethics, compassion, and the prophetic refusal to separate worship from justice.
Passages on godly leadership, servant leadership, the responsibilities of leaders, and examples of leadership in Scripture.
Who quoted Matthew 25:40?
Find out who used Matthew 25:40 in their speeches and writings. Which famous people quoted Matthew 25:40?
Harry S Truman used Matthew 25:40 in Radio Address Opening the Community Chest Campaign..
Kamala Harris used Matthew 25:40 in Remarks by the Vice President at a Roundtable Discussion on Nursing Home Care in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Quotes found on Wikiquote (match for «the least of these»):
Barack Obama · Bono · Charity · Clothing · Cold · Cornel West · George William Curtis · Hunger · John Chrysostom · Last Judgment · Martin Luther King Jr. · Nudity · Robert Hunter (author) · Roe v. Wade · Sharing · Sheep · Son of man · William Barber II