Matthew 25:38

Study note

Setting — The righteous address Jesus during the final judgment, responding to His prior inquiries by asking when they had recognized Him in His vulnerable states.

The words — ξένον (xenon) means “a stranger,” and συνηγὴγομεν (sunēgagomen) translates literally to “took in” or “welcomed.”

The thread — The verse continues the rhetorical question pattern of Matthew 25:37 and Matthew 25:39, listing specific forms of unrecognized hospitality that constitute service to Christ.

Why it lands — The text demands a reader verify whether their acts of shelter and clothing were directed at Christ Himself, rather than merely fulfilling social obligation.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.