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Question:
Please explain a few verse in the Bible to me; Matthew 25:41-45
Before giving an answer, I would like for us to take a look at these verses in context, Matthew 25:31-46 (spoken by Jesus Christ)
But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His glory. And all nations shall be gathered before Him. And He shall separate them from one another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. And indeed He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats off the left. Then the King shall say to those on His right hand, Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 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; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Then the righteous shall answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, and fed You? Or thirsty, and gave You drink? When did we see You a stranger, and took You in? Or naked, and clothed You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and came to You? And the King shall answer and say to them, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brothers, you have done it to Me. Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels. For I was hungry, and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in; I was naked, and you did not clothe Me; I was sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me. Then they will also answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You? Then He shall answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life. (Mat 25:31-46)
I am not really sure what you question is or what you really want to know from this text. I am also not sure what is not clear to you in the text. I assume that you are interested in the phrase “the least of these My brothers”, specifically, whom did Jesus Christ have in mind?
One interpretation that is given by many theologians is the fact that these are Jewish people who have suffered much throughout human history. The nations of the earth have had many different views toward the Hebrews, usually for or against. The text says that Jesus Christ will judge people according to the attitude that they had toward the Jews and the way that they treated them.
Another interpretation is that these “least of My brothers” are Christians mixed in among all the nations because they are called brothers of Christ and the ones who show love to the Christians among the nations, they will be repaid for their actions by Jesus Christ. While those who were indifferent (apathetic) to the persecution that Christ’s followers suffered, they will be punished.
One essential teaching for this passage is that indifference will be punished. How do you respond when you see people suffering? Do you seek to help them, or are you indifferent to their situation? Do you pass them by or do you act as a truly righteous person?
Translation by: Erik Brewer