Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:42

What does Matthew 25:42 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:42 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:42 means

The King enumerates the reasons for their condemnation: "for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink." In direct contrast to the righteous, these individuals failed to show basic compassion to those in need. Their lack of action reveals a fundamental absence of love and mercy. This inaction is not merely a passive oversight but an active refusal to minister, demonstrating a heart hardened against the suffering of others and, by extension, against Christ Himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for I was hungry, and ye did not give me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I was in need of food, and you gave it not to me; I was in need of drink, and you gave it not to me:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I did hunger, and ye gave me not to eat; I did thirst, and ye gave me not to drink;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I was hungry and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for I hungered, and ye gave me not to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave me not to drink;

Context

This verse begins the King's explanation of *why* those on His left hand are deemed cursed, directly following His condemnation in verse 41. It immediately lists fundamental acts of neglect, mirroring the compassionate acts performed by the righteous. These omissions are crucial evidence of their unrighteousness, highlighting their lack of love and preparing for further examples of their failures in the next verse.

v.41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels:

v.42This passage

v.43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 25:35

    for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

  • 1 John 3:14

    We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.

  • Matthew 12:30

    He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

  • John 8:42

    Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from God; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me.

  • 1 John 4:20

    If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.

  • James 2:15

    If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food,

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