New Living Translation
Matthew 25:40
40“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
Matthew 25:40 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.'
- New King James Version (NKJV)And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Context of Matthew 25:40
38Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ 41“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink.
Read all of Matthew 25Matthew 25:40 word by word
Καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐρεῖ αὐτοῖς· ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν· ἐφ᾽ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνὶ τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοὶ ἐποιήσατε.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Andκαίkai · andG2532
- the Kingβασιλεύςbasileus · kingG935
- shall answerἀποκρίνωapokrinomai · to answerG611
- and sayἐρῶereō · to sayG2046
- unto themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- Verilyἀμήνamēn · amenG281
- I sayλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
- unto youσύsu · youG4771
- Inasmuchἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- asὅσοςhosos · just as/how muchG3745
- ye have doneποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- untoἀδελφόςadelphos · brotherG80
- oneεἷςheis · oneG1520
- of the leastἐλάχιστοςelachistos · leastG1646
- of theseοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- myἐγώegō · I/weG1473
Cross-references for Matthew 25:40
- Matthew 25:34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.
- Proverbs 25:6Don’t demand an audience with the king or push for a place among the great.
- Matthew 10:42And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
- 2 Samuel 9:1One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
- Proverbs 14:31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
- Proverbs 19:17If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you!
- Mark 9:41If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
- John 19:26When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.”
- John 21:15After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
- 1 Corinthians 16:21Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Corinthians 5:14Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.
- 2 Corinthians 8:7Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.
- Galatians 5:6For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.
- 1 Peter 1:22You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
Commentaries on Matthew 25:40
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 40Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren - The meanest follower of Christ is acknowledged by him as his brother! What infinite condescension! Those, whom many would scorn to set with the dogs of their flock, are brothers and sisters of the blessed Jesus, and shall soon be set among the princes of his people.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 40One 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…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 31-46Verses 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 same cities, churches, families, and are not always to be known the one from the other; such are…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 40these brothers of Mine: This phrase may show the close bond Jesus had with his disciples (see 10:42; 18:1–14; Galatians 6:10). Or it could refer to all humanity, regardless of their faith (see Matthew 6:1–4; 25:43; Proverbs 19:17). The phrase brothers of Mine suggests the first meaning (Matthew 12:46–50; 18:15–35; 23:8; 28:10). But it does not exclude the duty to care for others in general (see Luke 10:30–37).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4040. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, &c.--Astonishing dialogue this between the King, from the Throne of His glory, and His wondering people! "I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat," &c.--"Not we," they reply. "We never did that, Lord: We were born out of due time, and enjoyed not the privilege of ministering unto Thee." "But ye did it to these My brethren, now beside you, when cast upon your love." "Truth, Lord, but…Read the comment
Topics related to Matthew 25:40
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Matthew 25
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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