New Testament
Matthew 25:37
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The righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
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Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
What Matthew 25:37 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the righteous respond to the Lord's inquiry about their acts of kindness. They express confusion, asking when they had the opportunity to serve Him by feeding the hungry or giving drink to the thirsty. This highlights their humility and genuine nature; they did not see their good deeds as a means to gain recognition or reward. Instead, they acted out of compassion and love for others, not realizing that in serving those in need, they were serving Christ Himself. This moment emphasizes the importance of selfless service and the idea that true righteousness is not about seeking acknowledgment but about living out one's faith through actions that reflect God's love. The righteous are surprised to learn that their everyday acts of kindness were significant in the eyes of God, illustrating that even small gestures can have profound spiritual implications.
How to apply Matthew 25:37 to your life
We should strive to serve those in need without seeking recognition. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, reflect our faith and love for God. Look for opportunities to help others in your daily life, knowing that these actions matter.
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At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 25:37 mean?
Matthew 25:37 shows the righteous responding to the Lord's question about their acts of kindness. They express surprise at not realizing that their service to others, like feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty, was also service to Him.
What is the significance of the righteous in Matthew 25:37?
In Matthew 25:37, the righteous represent those who live out their faith through acts of compassion and kindness. Their humility is highlighted as they do not seek recognition for their good deeds.
How does Matthew 25:37 relate to humility?
Matthew 25:37 illustrates humility by showing that the righteous did not see their good deeds as significant. They were surprised to learn that their everyday acts of kindness were meaningful to God.
What is the main message of Matthew 25:37?
The main message of Matthew 25:37 is that true righteousness is demonstrated through selfless service to others. It teaches that serving those in need is equivalent to serving Christ.
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