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?

MATTHEW 25:44KJV
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Matthew 25:44 (KJV)

What does Matthew 25:44 mean?

Matthew 25:44 describes people responding to the Lord, asking when they ever saw Him hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, or in prison and did not help Him. They are surprised and defend themselves, claiming they never neglected Him in need.

In this verse, Jesus is telling a story where people are being judged for how they treated others in need. The people speaking are those on the Lord’s left, who are facing judgment. They are confused and protest that they never saw the Lord Himself in such situations, showing they did not realize that caring for others was the same as caring for Him.

The Greek behind Matthew 25:44

  • The word "minister" comes from διακονέω (diakoneō), which means to serve or take care of someone’s needs. The Greek here carries the sense of practical, hands-on help, not just kind thoughts.
  • The word for "stranger" is ξένος (xenos), meaning someone who is foreign or unknown. This highlights that the care expected extends even to those outside one's immediate circle.
  • The phrase "did not minister unto thee" uses the negative οὐ (ou) with διακονέω (diakoneō), emphasizing a clear lack of action, not just a missed opportunity.

Why Matthew 25:44 matters

  • This verse makes it clear that those being judged did not recognize the connection between serving people in need and serving the Lord Himself.
  • The verse highlights that the judgment is not just about obvious wrongdoing, but about failing to act with compassion when given the chance.
  • Matthew 25:44 ties directly to the wider teaching in this chapter, where Jesus identifies Himself with "the least of these," showing that everyday acts of kindness have deep spiritual significance.

Where else these words appear

“stranger” Greek G3581 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
  • Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
  • Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

“naked” Greek G1131 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
  • Mark 14:52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.
  • Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

“athirst” 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.

“when” Greek G4219 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
  • Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
  • Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.