Matthew 25:45
New International Version
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

New Living Translation
“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

English Standard Version
Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’

Berean Standard Bible
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’

Berean Literal Bible
Then He will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, neither did you to Me.'

King James Bible
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

New King James Version
Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

New American Standard Bible
Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for Me, either.’

NASB 1995
“Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

NASB 1977
“Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

Amplified Bible
Then He will reply to them, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, to the extent that you did not do it for one of the least of these [my followers], you did not do it for Me.’

Christian Standard Bible
“Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Then He will answer them, I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.’

American Standard Version
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.

Contemporary English Version
The king will say to them, "Whenever you failed to help any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you failed to do it for me."

English Revised Version
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"He will answer them, 'I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you failed to do for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant [they seemed], you failed to do for me.'

Good News Translation
The King will reply, 'I tell you, whenever you refused to help one of these least important ones, you refused to help me.'

International Standard Version
Then he will say to them, 'I tell all of you with certainty, since you didn't do it for one of the least important of these, you didn't do it for me.'

Majority Standard Bible
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’

NET Bible
Then he will answer them, 'I tell you the truth, just as you did not do it for one of the least of these, you did not do it for me.'

New Heart English Bible
"Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly I tell you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'

Webster's Bible Translation
Then will he answer them, saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Weymouth New Testament
"But he will reply, "'In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you withheld such services from one of the humblest of these, you withheld them from me.'

World English Bible
“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then will He answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, inasmuch as you did [it] not to one of these, the least, you did [it] not to Me.

Berean Literal Bible
Then He will answer them, saying, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, neither did you to Me.'

Young's Literal Translation
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of these, the least, ye did it not to me.

Smith's Literal Translation
Then shall he answer them saying, Inasmuch as ye did not to one of the least of these, ye did not to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then he shall answer them, saying: Amen I say to you, as long as you did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then he shall respond to them by saying: ‘Amen I say to you, whenever you did not do it to one of these least, neither did you do it to me.’

New American Bible
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.’

New Revised Standard Version
Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he will answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of these least ones, you also did not do it to me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Then he will answer and he will say to them, 'Amen, I say to you, as much as you have not done to one of these little ones, neither have you done that to me.'
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then will he answer them, saying: Verily I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.

Godbey New Testament
Then will He respond to them, saying, Truly I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did not these things to one of the least of these, you did them not unto me.

Haweis New Testament
Then shall he reply to them, saying, For as much as ye have not done it to one of the least of these, neither have ye done it to me.

Mace New Testament
to this he will reply, I declare unto you, your not doing this for one of the least of these, is the same thing as not doing it for me.

Weymouth New Testament
"But he will reply, "'In solemn truth I tell you that in so far as you withheld such services from one of the humblest of these, you withheld them from me.'

Worrell New Testament
"Then will He answer them, saying, 'Verily I say to you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of these least, ye did it not to Me!'

Worsley New Testament
Then will He reply to them, saying, Verily I tell you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the lest of these, ye did it not to me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sheep and the Goats
44And they too will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’ 46And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”…

Cross References
Matthew 10:42
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.”

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

James 2:15-16
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. / If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Isaiah 58:6-7
Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Luke 10:16
Whoever listens to you listens to Me; whoever rejects you rejects Me; and whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.”

1 John 3:17
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?

Ezekiel 34:4
You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...

Romans 12:13
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Job 31:16-20
If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail, / if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless— / though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow— ...

Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”


Treasury of Scripture

Then shall he answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.

Inasmuch.

Matthew 25:40
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.

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

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Matthew 25
1. The parable of the ten virgins,
14. and of the talents.
31. Also the description of the last judgment.














Then He will answer
This phrase indicates a response from Jesus, the King, in the context of the final judgment. The Greek word for "answer" is "apokrinomai," which implies a decisive and authoritative response. In the historical context of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate judge, emphasizing His divine authority and the seriousness of the judgment scene. This response is not just a casual reply but a profound declaration of truth and justice.

Truly I tell you
The phrase "Truly I tell you" is translated from the Greek "amēn legō hymin," where "amēn" is a term of affirmation, meaning "truly" or "verily." It underscores the certainty and importance of what follows. In the Jewish tradition, "amēn" is a solemn affirmation of truth, often used by Jesus to introduce significant teachings. This phrase highlights the gravity and unchangeable nature of the statement, urging the listener to pay close attention.

whatever you did not do
This part of the verse focuses on the omission of action. The Greek word "poieō" means "to do" or "to make," and its use here emphasizes the responsibility of action. The historical context of first-century Judea was one where community and mutual support were vital. The omission of care for others, especially the vulnerable, is presented as a serious moral failing. This phrase challenges believers to reflect on their actions and inactions, urging them to live out their faith through tangible deeds.

for one of the least of these
The term "least" is translated from the Greek "elachistos," meaning "smallest" or "least significant." In the cultural and historical context of the time, society often marginalized the poor, sick, and outcast. Jesus' teaching here radically elevates the status of these individuals, identifying them with Himself. This phrase calls Christians to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every person, especially those whom society may overlook or devalue.

you did not do for Me
This phrase draws a direct connection between service to others and service to Christ Himself. The Greek construction emphasizes the personal identification of Jesus with the needy. In the scriptural context, this reflects the broader biblical theme of God's concern for justice and mercy. Theologically, it underscores the incarnational aspect of Christian service—serving others is serving Christ. This challenges believers to see Christ in every person and to act accordingly, reinforcing the call to love and serve selflessly.

Verse 45. - Inasmuch as, etc. The Judge at once disallows all such pleas. He exacts nothing which any good man, Christian or not, might not have done. As before, identifying himself with the human race, he shows that, in neglecting to perform acts of mercifulness and charity to the afflicted, they disregarded him, despised him. dishonoured him. One of the least of these. He adds not "brethren," as above (ver. 40), because the evil acknowledge no such brotherhood; they live for self alone, they own not their real relation to the whole family of man.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

[the King] will answer,
ἀποκριθήσεται (apokrithēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 611: From apo and krino; to conclude for oneself, i.e. to respond; by Hebraism to begin to speak.

‘Truly
Ἀμὴν (Amēn)
Hebrew Word
Strong's 281: Of Hebrew origin; properly, firm, i.e. trustworthy; adverbially, surely.

I tell
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

you,
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

whatever
ἐφ’ (eph’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

you did not do
ἐποιήσατε (epoiēsate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

for one
ἑνὶ (heni)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

least
ἐλαχίστων (elachistōn)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural - Superlative
Strong's 1646: Superlative of elachus; used as equivalent to mikros; least.

of these,
τούτων (toutōn)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

you did not do
ἐποιήσατε (epoiēsate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.

for Me.’
ἐμοὶ (emoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 25:45 Then he will answer them saying 'Most (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 25:44
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