Chapter

Matthew 25:35

ESV For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
NIV For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
NASB For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;
CSB " 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in;
NLT For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.
KJV 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:

What does Matthew 25:35 mean?

In one of Matthew's most difficult passages to interpret, Jesus is telling His disciples about when He will return to the earth as King and Judge (Matthew 24:3). In that role, He will separate people into two groups. The first group are welcome into His kingdom, as planned by God the Father since the foundation of the world (Matthew 25:31–33). The reference to God making preparation for these people since the dawn of time references those who are "the elect" (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:27; Romans 11:7; Titus 1:1), strongly indicating these are believers in Christ.

In delivering this judgment, Jesus will tell this group of Christians they have served Him well during their lives. Their faith has been proven by obedience to Jesus' commands (John 14:15). They provided for Him when He was in need. Obviously, this will raise questions, since people in the end times will not have seen Christ, in person, until this moment (Matthew 25:37–39). A later response will explain how it is these people provided for Christ (Matthew 25:40).
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