Matthew 25:45 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 25:45 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”

Then he will answer them, saying: truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. The identification applied negatively: the failure to serve the least of these is the failure to serve the King. The indifference to human need is indifference to the Son of Man who identified himself with those in need. The as you did not do it to one of the least of these mirrors the as you did it in verse 40: both the mercy and the indifference are received by the King himself.

Church Fathers on Matthew 25:45

After the parables concerning the end of the world the Lord proceeds to describe the manner of the judgment to come.
Rabanus Maurus · 9th century

To this most sweet section of Scripture which we cease not continually to ponder, let us now listen with all attention and compunction of spirit, for Christ does indeed clothe this discourse with more terrors and vividness. He does not accordingly say of this as of the others, 'The kingdom of heaven is like,' but shews of Himself by direct revelation, saying, 'When the Son of man shall come in his majesty.'
Chrysostom · 4th century · Hom. lxxix

He who was within two days to celebrate the passover, to be delivered to the cross, and mocked by men, fitly now holds out the glory of His triumph, that He may overbalance the offences that were to follow by the promise of reward. And it is to be noted, that He who shall be seen in majesty is the Son of Man.
Jerome · 4th century

Read all 37 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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