Matthew 25:44 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Those on the left protest: when did they ever see him in need and fail to minister to him?
What Does Matthew 25:44 Mean?
The condemned are as surprised as the righteous were, but in reverse: surely, had they seen the King hungry, they would have acted. They compress the six needs into one hurried question, and their final word — minister — imagines the service they would gladly have offered to royalty.
The defense exposes them. They would have served greatness, but greatness never seemed to need them, and the needy never seemed great. They missed Christ because he came unlabeled. The verse warns against a devotion that would honor the King in glory while stepping past him in the street. He still comes unannounced, and love must learn to recognize him.
Matthew 25:44 in the Original Language
diakoneo (διακονέω), 'minister' -- to serve, to attend to the needs of another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 25:44
What does Matthew 25:44 mean?
Those on the left protest: when did they ever see him in need and fail to minister to him?