Matthew 25:43
What does Matthew 25:43 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 25:43 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 25:43 means
Continuing His indictment, the King states, "I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not." These further failures to act charitably confirm a consistent pattern of indifference and self-centeredness. This lack of practical love for others exposes a spiritual bankruptcy, just as the presence of such love evidenced genuine faith in the righteous. Their inaction solidifies the basis for their condemnation, indicating a heart devoid of the empathetic compassion characteristic of God's children.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I was wandering, and you took me not in; without clothing, and you gave me no clothing; ill, and in prison, and you came not to me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862a stranger I was, and ye did not receive me; naked, and ye put not around me; infirm, and in prison, and ye did not look after me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and you covered me not: sick and in prison and you did not visit me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I was a stranger, and ye took me not in; naked, and ye did not clothe me; ill, and in prison, and ye did not visit me.
Context
This verse extends the list of the condemned's failures from verse 42, providing three more specific examples of their lack of compassionate care towards the needy. It directly mirrors the good works of the righteous, thereby emphasizing the stark contrast between the two groups. This detailed enumeration of their omissions sets the stage for their own bewildered questioning, which follows immediately.
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