CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 25:35 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,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/25-35.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/40_Mat_25_35.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 25:35 - The Sheep and the Goats" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/matthew/25-35.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/matthew/25-35.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/matthew/">Matthew</a> > <a href="/matthew/25.htm">Chapter 25</a> > Verse 35</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/25-34.htm" title="Matthew 25:34">◄</a> Matthew 25:35 <a href="/matthew/25-36.htm" title="Matthew 25:36">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/25.htm">New International Version</a> 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, <a href="/nlt/matthew/25.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/matthew/25.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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, <a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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, <a href="/blb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For I hungered, and you gave Me to eat; I thirsted, and you gave Me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; <a href="/kjv/matthew/25.htm">King James Bible</a> 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: <a href="/nkjv/matthew/25.htm">New King James Version</a> for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; <a href="/nasb_/matthew/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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; <a href="/nasb/matthew/25.htm">NASB 1995</a> 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; <a href="/nasb77/matthew/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; <a href="/lsb/matthew/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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; <a href="/amp/matthew/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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; <a href="/csb/matthew/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “ ‘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; <a href="/hcsb/matthew/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> 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; <a href="/asv/matthew/25.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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; <a href="/cev/matthew/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, <a href="/erv/matthew/25.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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; <a href="/gwt/matthew/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> 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 into your home. <a href="/gnt/matthew/25.htm">Good News Translation</a> I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, <a href="/isv/matthew/25.htm">International Standard Version</a> because 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 welcomed me. <a href="/msb/matthew/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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, <a href="/net/matthew/25.htm">NET Bible</a> For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, <a href="/nheb/matthew/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. <a href="/wbt/matthew/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For I was hungry, and ye gave me food: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: <a href="/wey/matthew/25.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a welcome; <a href="/web/matthew/25.htm">World English Bible</a> for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for I hungered, and you gave Me to eat; I thirsted, and you gave Me to drink; I was a stranger, and you received Me; <a href="/blb/matthew/25.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For I hungered, and you gave Me to eat; I thirsted, and you gave Me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took Me in; <a href="/ylt/matthew/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for I did hunger, and ye gave me to eat; I did thirst, and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye received me; <a href="/slt/matthew/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and ye brought me in:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in: <a href="/cpdv/matthew/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; <a href="/nabre/matthew/25.htm">New American Bible</a> For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/25.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For I was hungry and you gave me food, and I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/25.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me to your houses; <a href="/godbey/matthew/25.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in;<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/25.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and ye received me hospitably: <a href="/mace/matthew/25.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for I was prest with hunger, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: <a href="/wey/matthew/25.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a welcome; <a href="/worrell/matthew/25.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>for I hungered, and ye gave Me to eat; I thirsted, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/25.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>for I was famishing, and ye gave me food; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/25-35.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=7763" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm">The Sheep and the Goats</a> …34Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/3983.htm" title="3983: epeinasa (V-AIA-1S) -- To be hungry, needy, desire earnestly. From the same as penes; to famish; figuratively, to crave.">I was hungry</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōkate (V-AIA-2P) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">you gave</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: moi (PPro-D1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">Me</a> <a href="/greek/5315.htm" title="5315: phagein (V-ANA) -- A primary verb; to eat.">something to eat,</a> <a href="/greek/1372.htm" title="1372: edipsēsa (V-AIA-1S) -- To thirst for, desire earnestly. From a variation of dipsos; to thirst for.">I was thirsty</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> <a href="/greek/4222.htm" title="4222: epotisate (V-AIA-2P) -- To cause to drink, give to drink; irrigate, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; to furnish drink, irrigate.">you gave Me something to drink,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: ēmēn (V-IIM-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">I was</a> <a href="/greek/3581.htm" title="3581: xenos (Adj-NMS) -- Apparently a primary word; foreign; by implication, a guest or entertainer.">a stranger</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/4863.htm" title="4863: synēgagete (V-AIA-2P) -- From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.">you took Me in,</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: me (PPro-A1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I."></a> 36I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/isaiah/58-7.htm">Isaiah 58:7</a> 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? <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a> Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. <a href="/james/2-15.htm">James 2:15-16</a> 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? <a href="/luke/3-11.htm">Luke 3:11</a> John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.” <a href="/proverbs/19-17.htm">Proverbs 19:17</a> Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender. <a href="/romans/12-13.htm">Romans 12:13</a> Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. <a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a> 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? <a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a> Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith. <a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7-11</a> 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. ... <a href="/ezekiel/18-7.htm">Ezekiel 18:7</a> He does not oppress another, but restores the pledge to the debtor. He does not commit robbery, but gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with clothing. <a href="/job/31-16.htm">Job 31:16-20</a> 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— ... <a href="/acts/20-35.htm">Acts 20:35</a> In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” <a href="/1_timothy/6-18.htm">1 Timothy 6:18</a> Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share, <a href="/isaiah/58-10.htm">Isaiah 58:10</a> and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. <a href="/luke/14-13.htm">Luke 14:13-14</a> But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, / and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For I was an hungered, and you gave me meat: I was thirsty, and you gave me drink: I was a stranger, and you took me in:I was an.<a href="/matthew/25-40.htm">Matthew 25:40</a> 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.<a href="/matthew/10-40.htm">Matthew 10:40-42</a> He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me… <a href="/matthew/26-11.htm">Matthew 26:11</a> For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.thirsty.<a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Matthew 25:42</a> For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:<a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21</a> If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:<a href="/romans/12-20.htm">Romans 12:20</a> Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.I was a.<a href="/matthew/25-43.htm">Matthew 25:43</a> 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.<a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Genesis 18:2-8</a> And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, … <a href="/genesis/19-1.htm">Genesis 19:1-3</a> And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/24-49.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/24-49.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Food</a> <a href="/isaiah/58-7.htm">Homeless</a> <a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/matthew/21-18.htm">Hungered</a> <a href="/matthew/12-3.htm">Hungred</a> <a href="/matthew/21-18.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/matthew/22-14.htm">Invited</a> <a href="/matthew/24-45.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/matthew/21-3.htm">Need</a> <a href="/matthew/25-27.htm">Received</a> <a href="/matthew/20-20.htm">Something</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/isaiah/48-21.htm">Thirsted</a> <a href="/ezekiel/19-13.htm">Thirsty</a> <a href="/matthew/15-24.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/matthew/10-14.htm">Welcome</a> <a href="/isaiah/39-2.htm">Welcomed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/25-38.htm">Homeless</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Hunger</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Hungered</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Hungred</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Hungry</a> <a href="/luke/7-36.htm">Invited</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Meat</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Need</a> <a href="/matthew/25-38.htm">Received</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Something</a> <a href="/matthew/25-38.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Thirst</a> <a href="/matthew/25-42.htm">Thirsted</a> <a href="/matthew/25-37.htm">Thirsty</a> <a href="/matthew/25-38.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/matthew/25-38.htm">Welcome</a> <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Welcomed</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 25</div>1. <a href="/matthew/25-1.htm">The parable of the ten virgins,</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">and of the talents.</a> 31. <a href="/matthew/25-31.htm">Also the description of the last judgment.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat This phrase highlights the importance of providing for the physical needs of others, reflecting the compassion and mercy that Jesus exemplified throughout His ministry. In biblical times, hunger was a common issue due to frequent famines and economic instability. The act of feeding the hungry is a tangible expression of love and obedience to God's commandments, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/58-7.htm">Isaiah 58:7</a>, which calls for sharing food with the hungry. This act of kindness is also a reflection of the provision God made for the Israelites in the wilderness with manna (Exodus 16). It serves as a reminder of Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/4-4.htm">Matthew 4:4</a>, where He emphasizes that man does not live by bread alone but by every word from God, pointing to the spiritual nourishment that complements physical sustenance.I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink Providing water to the thirsty is another basic act of kindness that Jesus commends. In the arid climate of the Middle East, access to water was crucial and often difficult, making this act of charity significant. This phrase can be connected to the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in <a href="/john/4.htm">John 4</a>, where Jesus offers "living water" that quenches spiritual thirst. The act of giving water symbolizes the refreshment and life that Jesus offers to all who believe in Him. It also reflects the prophetic imagery in <a href="/isaiah/55.htm">Isaiah 55:1</a>, inviting those who are thirsty to come to the waters, symbolizing God's provision and salvation.I was a stranger and you took Me in Hospitality was a highly valued virtue in ancient cultures, including Jewish society. Taking in a stranger was not only a social expectation but also a reflection of God's command to love the foreigner, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-34.htm">Leviticus 19:34</a>. This phrase underscores the importance of welcoming and caring for those who are outsiders or marginalized. It echoes the story of Abraham, who showed hospitality to three strangers, unaware that they were divine messengers (Genesis 18). In the New Testament, this principle is reinforced in <a href="/hebrews/13-2.htm">Hebrews 13:2</a>, which encourages believers to show hospitality to strangers, as some have entertained angels without knowing it. This act of kindness is a reflection of God's inclusive love and the welcoming nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, Jesus is teaching about the final judgment and the importance of serving others as a reflection of serving Him. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing all believers who are called to live out these principles. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_hungry,_thirsty,_and_strangers.htm">The Hungry, Thirsty, and Strangers</a> Symbolic of those in need, representing the broader category of people who require compassion and assistance. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_sheep_and_the_goats.htm">The Sheep and the Goats</a> In the broader context of <a href="/bsb/matthew/25.htm">Matthew 25</a>, these represent the righteous and the unrighteous, respectively, at the final judgment. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_kingdom_of_heaven.htm">The Kingdom of Heaven</a> The ultimate place of reward for those who have lived according to Jesus' teachings, including acts of mercy and compassion.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/compassion_as_a_reflection_of_faith.htm">Compassion as a Reflection of Faith</a> True Christian faith is evidenced by acts of compassion and mercy. Believers are called to serve others as a direct service to Christ. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_hospitality.htm">The Importance of Hospitality</a> Welcoming strangers and providing for those in need is a tangible expression of God's love and a critical aspect of Christian living. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> Our actions on earth have eternal significance. Serving others in need is not just a moral duty but a reflection of our readiness for the Kingdom of Heaven. <a href="/topical/i/identifying_with_christ.htm">Identifying with Christ</a> When we serve the least of these, we are serving Christ Himself. This identification with Christ should motivate us to act with love and generosity. <a href="/topical/p/practical_christianity.htm">Practical Christianity</a> Christianity is not just about belief but about putting faith into action. This involves meeting the physical and emotional needs of those around us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 25</a> <a href="/q/what_does_a_chaplain_do.htm">What does a chaplain do?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_new_monasticism.htm">What defines New Monasticism?</a> <a href="/q/who_are_the_least_of_these_among_us.htm">Who are the least of these among us?</a> <a href="/q/does_2_thess._3_10_contradict_jesus.htm">2 Thessalonians 3:10 – Does telling the idle they “shall not eat” contradict Jesus’ teachings on charity and feeding the poor (e.g., Matthew 25)? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(35) I was an hungred.--The passage furnishes six out of the list of the seven corporal works of mercy in Christian ethics, the seventh being found in the care and nurture of the fatherless.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 35. - For. Jesus here gives the reason which influences him in conferring this great boon on "the sheep" of his flock. He instances certain works of mercy which they performed during their earthly pilgrimage, as examples of the kind of acts which he deems worthy of eternal reward. It is not that he regards no other with favour, but these six works, as they show the temper and virtue of the door, are taken as the type of those which are approved. They are proofs of self-denial, pity, sympathy, charity; they demonstrate that the doer has something of God in him, that according to his lights he possesses and has exercised the supreme grace of love. The Lord confined himself to one detail; he does not disparage other requirements necessary for salvation, as faith, prayer, sacraments, chastity, truth, honesty; but he looks on one particular class of works as the great result of all the aids and provocatives offered by his Spirit, and herein sets forth the principle by which judgment is guided, and which can be applied universally. The Judge asks not what we have felt or thought, but what we have done or left undone in our dealings with others. "It is plain," says Bishop Bull ('Harm. Ap.,' diss. 1:5. 4), "that our works are considered as the very things on account of which (by the merciful covenant of God through Christ) eternal lifo is given us." He quotes Vossius ('De Bon. Op.,' 10): "It is asked whether a reward is promised to works as signs of faith? Now, we conceive they say too much who suppose it promised to works as deserving it, and that they say too little who think it promised to them only as signs of faith. For there are many passages of Scripture where it is shown that our works, in the business of salvation, are regarded as indispensably requisite, or as a primary condition, to which the reward of eternal life is inseparably connected." I was an hungred, equivalent to "very hungry" (<a href="/matthew/12-1.htm">Matthew 12:1</a>). Christ enumerates the chief of what are called the corporal works of mercy, omitting burial of the dead (see on ver. 36). We may note here an argument a fortiori: if such simple acts (comp. <a href="/matthew/10-42.htm">Matthew 10:42</a>) meet with so great a reward, what shall he the portion of those who are enabled to rise to more perfect obedience and higher degrees of devotion and self-sacrifice? Ye took me in (συνηγάγεσε με) i.e. into your houses, received me with hospitality, or as one of your own family. We have instances of such hospitality in <a href="/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3</a>; <a href="/judges/19-20.htm">Judges 19:20, 21</a>; and of this use of the verb συνάγειν in <a href="/2_samuel/11-27.htm">2 Samuel 11:27</a>, Septuagint. Why Christ speaks of himself as receiving these ministrations is explained in ver. 40. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/25-35.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. I was hungry ἐπείνασα (epeinasa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3983.htm">Strong's 3983: </a> To be hungry, needy, desire earnestly. From the same as penes; to famish; figuratively, to crave. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you gave ἐδώκατέ (edōkate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. Me μοι (moi) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. [something] to eat, φαγεῖν (phagein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A primary verb; to eat. I was thirsty ἐδίψησα (edipsēsa) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1372.htm">Strong's 1372: </a> To thirst for, desire earnestly. From a variation of dipsos; to thirst for. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you gave Me [something] to drink, ἐποτίσατέ (epotisate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4222.htm">Strong's 4222: </a> To cause to drink, give to drink; irrigate, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; to furnish drink, irrigate. I was ἤμην (ēmēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. a stranger ξένος (xenos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3581.htm">Strong's 3581: </a> Apparently a primary word; foreign; by implication, a guest or entertainer. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. you took Me in, συνηγάγετέ (synēgagete) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4863.htm">Strong's 4863: </a> From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/25-35.htm">Matthew 25:35 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/25-35.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 25:35 For I was hungry and you gave (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/25-34.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 25:34"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 25:34" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/25-36.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 25:36"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 25:36" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>