Matthew 25:38
What does Matthew 25:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 25:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 25:38 means
Continuing their humble inquiry, the righteous ask, "And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?" Their questions further emphasize their lack of awareness that their acts of kindness were directed toward the King. This underlines that true selflessness in service often occurs without explicit recognition of one's impact on Christ himself. It underscores the intrinsic nature of their compassion, flowing from a sincere heart that did not seek personal glory or direct reward from Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
KJV
King James Version · 1611When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when did we see you wandering, and take you in? or without clothing, and give it to you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and when did we see thee a stranger, and we received? or naked, and we put around?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Or when did we see thee a stranger and took thee in? Or naked and covered thee?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and when saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in; or naked, and clothed thee?
Context
This verse continues the humble, bewildered questioning of the righteous, directly following the first part of their query in verse 37. It reiterates their astonishment at the King's words by referencing the specific acts of hospitality and clothing the naked. This sustained questioning deepens the sense of their genuine, unselfconscious piety, serving as a vital setup for the King's subsequent revelation of their actions' true significance.
Related questions readers ask
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Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 25
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Devotionals
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The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
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Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
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Bible Verses About Hell
The Bible consistently teaches that hell is a real place of eternal conscious punishment for those who reject God.
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Bible Verses About Hospitality
Hospitality, a sacred duty and a joyful expression of love, invites us to open our homes and hearts to others, serving as a powerful witness to God’s gracious character.
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Bible Verses About Stewardship
Biblical stewardship involves faithfully managing resources and responsibilities God entrusts to us for His glory and the good of others
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