Book of Matthew - Chapter 25 - Verse 37

When the righteous answer the Lord in this verse, they are expressing surprise and humility at being called righteous and being rewarded for their kind deeds. They are acknowledging that their acts of compassion were not done for recognition or praise, but out of genuine care and love for others. The verse serves as a reminder that true righteousness comes from selfless acts of kindness and generosity, without expecting anything in return. It encourages believers to treat others with kindness and compassion, not for personal gain or recognition, but out of love for their fellow human beings. By highlighting the importance of humility and compassion, this verse serves as a timeless lesson for all who seek to follow the teachings of the Bible.

One theological interpretation of this verse from Matthew 25:37 focuses on the concept of humility and the hidden nature of righteous deeds. The righteous individuals in this passage are genuinely surprised that they had unknowingly helped the Lord by feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty. This emphasizes the selfless nature of their actions, as they were not seeking recognition or reward for their good deeds. The verse highlights the importance of doing good out of a sincere heart, rather than for the praise of others. Additionally, this passage teaches that acts of kindness and compassion towards those in need are ultimately acts of service to God himself. The word study of "an hungered" and "thirsty" emphasizes the physical needs that righteous individuals were quick to meet, showing a practical application of Jesus' teaching to love our neighbors as ourselves.