For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

MATTHEW 25:42KJV
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Matthew 25:42 (KJV)

What does Matthew 25:42 mean?

Matthew 25:42 records Jesus saying that when he was hungry and thirsty, people did not give him food or drink. This verse highlights a failure to show basic compassion and care for someone in need.

In this part of Matthew, Jesus is describing a future judgment scene where he speaks to people who neglected to help "the least of these." Jesus is addressing those who did not respond to the needs of others, using hunger and thirst as examples of unmet, basic human needs. The verse emphasizes the importance of practical kindness as a reflection of true righteousness.

The Greek behind Matthew 25:42

  • "ἐπείνασα" (epēnasa, "hungred"): This word means "I was hungry" and points to a real, physical need. Jesus uses it to make the situation concrete and relatable.
  • "οὐκ ἐδώκατέ" (ouk edōkate, "ye gave... no"): The phrase strongly denies that any help was given, stressing the neglect.
  • "ἐδίψησα" (edipsēsa, "I was thirsty"): Like hunger, this word refers to a basic need, underlining how fundamental the neglect was.
  • "οὐκ ἐποτίσατέ" (ouk epotisate, "ye gave me no drink"): This phrase shows not just a lack of generosity, but a failure to meet even the simplest needs.

Why Matthew 25:42 matters

  • Matthew 25:42 clarifies that Jesus identifies himself with those in need, making acts of kindness toward others deeply significant.
  • The verse shows that judgment is not just about beliefs or rituals, but about whether people respond with compassion to real needs.
  • This verse connects to the larger passage, where Jesus separates people based on their treatment of "the least of these," highlighting the central role of mercy in his teaching.

Where else these words appear

“gave” Greek G4222 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
  • Mark 9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

“thirsty” Greek G1372 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
  • John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
  • Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

“hungred” Greek G3983 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • 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?
  • Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

“meat” Greek G5315 · used in 90 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.
  • John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.