Matthew 25:40 (WEB)
“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Catechism · 10
"I Believe in Life Everlasting"
“Our Lord warns us that we shall be separated from him if we fail to meet the serious needs of the poor and the little ones who are his brethren.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist
“"Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us," is present in many ways to his Church: in his word, in his Church's prayer, "where two or three are gathered in my name," in the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
“God freed you from all your sins and invited you here, but you have not become more merciful.” — Catechism footnote: St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor. 27, 4: PG 61, 229-230; cf. Mt 25:40.
The Virtues
“The Lord asks us to love as he does, even our enemies, to make ourselves the neighbor of those farthest away, and to love children and the poor as Christ himself.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 5:44; Lk 10:27-37; Mk 9:37; Mt 25:40, 45.
Social Justice
“"As you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 25:40.
The Seventh Commandment
“Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. the corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
“In so doing he does not soften the vehemence of former oracles against "buying the poor for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals . . .," but invites us to recognize his own presence in the poor who are his brethren:” — Catechism footnote: Am 8:6; cf. Mt 25:40.
The Seven Petitions
“This petition of the Lord's Prayer cannot be isolated from the parables of the poor man Lazarus and of the Last Judgment.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 16:19-31; Mt 25:31-46.
The Mysteries of Christ's Life
“Jesus identifies himself with the poor of every kind and makes active love toward them the condition for entering his kingdom.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 25:31-46.
"From Thence He Will Come Agaln to Judge the Living and the Dead"
“On the Last Day Jesus will say: "Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 25:40.
Fathers and councils · 80
Catena Aurea on John
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on John
“For as He says, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me: (Matt. 25:40) so, if we ask Him, how He, the Teacher of all things, learns, He replies, When one of the least of My brethren learns, I learn.” — the author cites it
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Catena Aurea on Luke
- BedeCatena Aurea on Luke
“(Matt. 25:40.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Luke
“(Matt. 25:40.)” — the author cites it
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Ambrose of Milan
““For what ye have done unto one of these,” He says, “ye have done unto Me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“But if thou shouldst ask how He was made subject in us, He Himself shows us, saying: “I was in prison, and ye came unto Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me: Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these ye have done it unto Me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xxv. 36, 40.
Read the whole comment“The feet of Christ are they of whom He Himself says: “What ye have done to one of the least of these ye have done to Me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“And again: “What thou didst to one of these, thou didst it unto Me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xxv. 40.
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Augustine of Hippo
“…the members receive, the Head receiveth also; He says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these that belong to Me, ye have done it unto Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“He who is at once above and below (whence those “ascending” and “descending” are spoken of ), said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of Mine, ye have done it unto Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“…Christ covered with sores before their gate, who hath said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“When the Same saith Himself, “Inasmuch as to one of My least ye have done it, to Me ye have done it:” why do we doubt that He receiveth in His members, the gifts which the members of Him receive?” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“The voice then of this Man is known to be of the whole man, of Head and of Body: that need not often be mentioned, because it is known.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“For there, those on the left hand shall go away into eternal burning, but the righteous into life eternal.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 33–46.
Read the whole comment“Besides, how would the truth of such sayings as these stand then: “He that receiveth you receiveth me;” and “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”?” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“And of which, namely, His own members, He says, “Since ye have done it to one of the least of these that are mine, ye have done it unto me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40
Read the whole comment“He answered, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these of Mine, ye have done it unto Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment““Forasmuch,” says He, “as ye have done it unto the least of Mine, ye have done unto Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“When ye did it to one of the least of Mine, ye did it unto Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“For if we were not He, “Forasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of Mine, ye have done it unto Me,” would not be true.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“Expounding which, He says, “Since ye did it to one of the least of mine, ye did it to me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“…His glory, . . . then shall He say also unto them on His left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 34–41, given in full.
Read the whole comment“…when He shall say to the former, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom,” and to the latter, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46
Read the whole comment“He will say to them, “Since ye gave to one of the least of mine, ye gave to me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–40.
Read the whole comment“For of whom but of His members is He yet to say in the end, “Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of mine, ye did it unto me”?” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“He that serveth in this way serveth Christ, and will have it rightly said to him, “Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of those who are mine, ye did it unto me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
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John Chrysostom
“For if he that “doeth” [aught] to “one of the least, doeth it to Him” ( Matt. xxv. 40 ), and he that “doeth it not to one of the least doeth it not to Him” ( Matt. xxv. 45 ), how is it not the same also in the matter of good or evil speaking?” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“For further back also He saith, that they who receive not such as these shall suffer more grievous things than Sodom; and here He saith, “Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it not unto me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 45; comp. verse 40. [“My brethren” is added here from verse 40. The order of words varies from that found in that verse.—R.]
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Theodoret of Cyrus
“He remembers the small rather than the great, and says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these” “which believe in me” “ye have done it unto me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40
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Leo the Great
“He has not feared the warning of the True King: “Whoso shall cause one of the least of these little ones to stumble, it was better that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xviii. 6, but it will be noticed that the quotation is confused with xxv. 40, minimis being substituted for qui in me credunt.
Read the whole comment“But when the Prophet says, “Blessed is he, who considereth the poor and needy,” he is the praiseworthy distributor of clothes and food among the poor, who knows he is clothing and feeding Christ in the poor: for He Himself says, “as long as ye have done it to one of My brethren, ye have done it to Me.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. xxv. 40.
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Jerome
“I pass over the countless instances in which you have supported Christ, fed, clothed, and visited Him.” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 34–40.
Read the whole comment“What use are walls blazing with jewels when Christ in His poor is in danger of perishing from hunger?” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
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Ephrem the Syrian
“Glory be to Him, Who never felt the need of our praising Him; yet felt the need as being kind to us, and thirsted as loving us, and asks us to give to Him, and longs to give to us.” — editor's note: Mat. xxv. 40.
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Tertullian
“You will not dismiss a brother who has entered your house without prayer.—“Have you seen,” says Scripture, “a brother? you have seen your Lord;”—especially “a stranger,” lest perhaps he be “an angel.”” — editor's note: I have ventured to turn the first part of the sentence into a question. What “scripture” this may be, no one knows. [It seems to me a clear reference to Matt.…
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Cyprian of Carthage
“And these shall go away into everlasting burning: but the righteous into life eternal.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46.
Read the whole comment“And these shall go away into everlasting burning, but the righteous into life eternal.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46.
Read the whole comment“And these shall go away into everlasting burning: but the righteous into life eternal.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 31–46.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
“All who thus ask questions of any teacher to try him, and not to learn of him, we must regard as brethren of this Pharisee, according to what is said below, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of mine, ye have done it unto me.” [Matt 25:40]” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Give the thirsty drink and feed the hungry, and therein you have anointed your head, that is, Christ, who cries out in the Gospel, “In that ye have done this to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.” [Matt 25:40]” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
After the parables concerning the end of the world the Lord proceeds to describe the manner of the judgment to come.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
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…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
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…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
The wicked and they also who shall be set on His right hand shall see Him in human shape, for He shall appear in the judgment in that form which He took on Him from us; but it shall be afterwards that He shall be…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
These words overthrow the error of those who said that the Lord should not continue in the same form of a servant. By “his majesty,” He means His divinity, in which He is equal to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He shall come again with glory, that His body may be such as when He was transfigured on the mount. “His throne” is either certain of the more perfect of the Saints, of whom it is written, “For there are set…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
He shall come down with the Angels whom He shall call from heavenly places to hold judgment.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“For all his Angels shall be with him” to bear witness to the things wherein they have administered to men’s salvation at His bidding.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, by Angels here He means men who shall judge with Christ; for Angels are messengers, and such we rightly understand all who have brought tidings of heavenly salvation to men.
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
“And all nations shall be gathered before Him.” These words prove that the resurrection of men shall be real.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
This gathering shall be executed by the ministry of Angels, as it is said in the Psalm, “Gather to him his saints.” [Ps 50:5]
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, we need not understand this of a local gathering together, but that the nations shall be no more dispersed in divers and false dogmas concerning Him. For Christ’s divinity shall be manifested so that not even…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He calls the one sheep and the other goats, to denote the unprofitableness of the one, and the fruitfulness of the other, for sheep are greatly productive in fleece, milk, and lambs.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
Under the figure of a sheep in Scripture is signified simplicity and innocence. Beautifully then in this place are the elect denoted by sheep.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Also the goat is a salacious animal, and was the offering for sins in the Law; and He says not ‘she goats’ which can produce young, and “come up shorn from the washing. [Song of Solomon 4:2]
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Then He separates them in place.
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
For the Saints who have wrought right works, shall receive in recompense of their right works the King’s right hand, at which is rest and glory; but the wicked for their evil and sinister deeds have fallen to the…
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, they are called “blessed,” to whom an eternal blessing is due for their good deserts. He calls it the kingdom of His Father, ascribing the dominion of the kingdom to Him by whom Himself the King was begotten. For…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe that He says not ‘Receive,’ but “possess,” or “inherit,” as due to you from of old.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
This “prepared for you from the foundation of the world,” is to be understood as of the foreknowledge of God, with whom things to come are as already done.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Besides that kingdom of which He will say in the end, “Inherit the kingdom prepared for you,” though in a very inferior manner, the present Church is also called His kingdom, in the which we are yet in conflict with…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
But one will say, I desire not to reign, it is enough for me that I be saved. Wherein they are deceived, first, because there is no salvation for those whose iniquity abounds; and, secondly, because if there be any…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For what the Saints obtain the boon of this heavenly kingdom He shews when He adds, “I was an hungred, and ye gave me to eat.”
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
And it is to be noted, that the Lord here enumerates six works of mercy which whoso shall study to accomplish shall be entitled to the kingdom prepared for the chosen from the foundation of the world.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Mystically, He who with the bread of the word and the drink of wisdom refreshes the soul hungering and thirsting after righteousness, or admits into the home of our mother the Church him who is wandering in heresy or…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
These, to whom as they stand on His right hand the Judge at His coming shall say, “I was an hungred &c.” are they who are judged on the side of the elect, and who reign; who wash away the stains of their life with…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is from humility that they declare themselves unworthy of any praise for their good deeds, not that they are forgetful of what they have done. But He shews them His close sympathy with His own.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Lord, when saw we thee &c.” This they say not because they distrust the Lord’s words, but they are in amaze at so great exaltation, and at the greatness of their own glory; or because the good which they have done…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
It were indeed free to us to understand that it is Christ in every poor man whom we feed when he is hungry, or give drink to when he is thirsty, and so of other things; but when He says, “In that ye have done it to…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
But if they are His brethren, why does He call them “the least?” Because they are lowly, poor, and outcast. By these He means not only the monks who have retired to the mountains, but every believer though he should…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
As He had said to the righteous, “Come ye,” so He says to the wicked, “Depart ye,” for they who keep God’s commandment are near to the Word, and are called that they may be made more near; but they are far from it,…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
It is hence clear, that the same fire will be appropriated to the punishment of men and of daemons. If then it inflicts pain by corporeal touch, so as to produce bodily torment, how will there be in it any punishment…
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or it may be that fire is of such nature that it can burn invisible substances, being itself invisible, as the Apostle speaks, “The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Observe how they had failed in mercifulness, not in one or two respects only, but in all; not only did they not feed Him when He was hungry, but they did not even visit Him when He was sick, which was easier. And…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
They to whom this is said are the wicked believers, who are judged and perish; others, being unbelievers, are not judged and perish; for there is no examination of the condition of such as appear before the face of…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Thus convicted by the words of the Judge, they make answer submissively, “Lord, when saw we thee &c.”
Read the whole comment - OrigenCatena Aurea on Matthew
Mark how the righteous dwell upon each word, while the unrighteous answer summarily, and not going through the particular instances; for so it becomes the righteous out of humility to disclaim each individual…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
He is now treating of the last judgment, when Christ shall come from heaven to judge the quick and dead. This day of the Divine judgment we call the Last Day, that is, the end of time; for we cannot tell through how…
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Clement of Alexandria
“…saying, “He that pitieth the poor lendeth to the Lord;” and this, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these My brethren, ye have done it to Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“Quid vero? quando dicit Dominus: “Esurivi, et me pavistis; sitii, et potum mihi dedistis; hospes cram, et me collegistis; nudus, et me vestiistis;” deinde subjungit: “Quatenus fecistis uni horum minimorum, mihi fecistis.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 40.
Read the whole comment“For inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these, ye did it to Me.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxv. 35, 40.
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Cross-references · 58
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 26.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 9.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 9.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 26.
Cited together in Bede on Luke 10:13–16 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Bede on Luke 10:13–16 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Bede on Luke 10:13–16 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Luke 10:38–42 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Luke 10:38–42 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 36.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 36.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Luke 10:38–42 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on John 5:19–20 (8) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Sermons Sermon 91.
Cited together in Bede on Luke 10:13–16 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Letters Letter 4.
Cited together in Catechism §2449.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.28.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 9.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 9.
Cited together in Concerning Widows Chapter 9.
Cited together in Letters Letter 4.
Cited together in Letters Letter 22.
Cited together in Letters Letter 22.
Cited together in The Instructor III.4.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in Catechism §2449.
Cited together in The Instructor III.4.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.28.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.28.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 36.
Cited together in Sermons Sermon 91.
Cited together in Letters Letter 4.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in Letters Letter 22.
Cited together in Letters Letter 4.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.16.
Cited together in The Instructor III.4.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in The Instructor III.4.
Cited together in The Stromata, or Miscellanies II.16.
Cited together in Nineteen Hymns on the Nativity of Christ in the Flesh Hymn 2.
Cited together in The Instructor III.4.
Cited together in The Instructor III.4.
Cited together in Catechism §2449.
Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Luke 10:38–42 (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Letters Letter 4.
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 6:17–18 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Pseudo-Chrysostom on Matthew 6:17–18 (4) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy II.28.
Cited together in Letters Letter 22 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Origen on Matthew 22:34–40 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Origen on Matthew 22:34–40 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Origen on Matthew 22:34–40 (2) (Catena Aurea).