Lesson 429: Matthew 25:40
Matthew 25:40
The Blueprint — The Verse
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Memorization Practice
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Scripture quotations marked NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Context — The History
Jesus taught about final judgment in Olivet Discourse material, using sheep and goats imagery familiar to a culture shaped by shepherding. The scene describes the Son of Man judging all nations.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Jesus separated people as a shepherd separates sheep from goats. The King identified with the hungry, stranger, sick, and imprisoned — saying care shown to the least of His brothers was care shown to Him.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Matthew 25:39
39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Matthew 25:39) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Matthew 25:41
41“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Matthew 25:41) to continue the passage.
Discussion
- How does serving the vulnerable become serving Christ?
- Who are 'the least of these' in your community?
- How does this passage shape your view of final judgment?