Matthew 25: 35 40 – Works Of Mercy

Target year level: Year Three, Year Six

Scripture text

Introduction

Scripture scholars think that the Gospel of Matthew was written in the last part of the first century CE, sometime after 70 CE. Matthew’s intended audience was Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians who were familiar with Jewish culture, religious belief and religious practice. Matthew’s text has many Jewish references that take for granted an audience familiar with Judaism.

For further background on the Gospel of Matthew, see the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), Introduction to Matthew.

World behind the text

Many scholars believe Matthew’s Gospel was written at Antioch, a Greek-speaking city with a number of Jewish synagogues. Antioch became the capital of the Roman province in Syria in 64 BCE and in the 1^st Century CE was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. Christianity had become well established in Antioch by 80 CE. A number of other possible locations with a similar demographic to Antioch are also suggested as possible sites for the writing of Matthew’s Gospel.

For further background on the Gospel of Matthew, see the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), Introduction to Matthew.

World of the text

Jesus is mentioned as the Son of Man. He is also the Messiah-king who sits on the throne of his glory'. He is not only our model and representative; he is also our judge. Rather, we are judged according to our relationship to him. He knows the hearts of all. It is important to note that his judgment comes as a surprise: our own assessment of ourselves is not ultimately trustworthy.

Who are the “least of these”? (verse 40): Who are the least of these who are members of my family'? At one level they are the ‘poor in spirit' (Mt 5:3), the ‘little ones' who are his disciples (Mt 10:42), those who are humble, like little children (Mt 18:3-4; 19:14), those who, following Jesus, give their lives in service of others (Mt 20:26-28).

For a detailed commentary on this text, see Michael Fallon pp. 330 – 331 (pdf)

World in front of the text

The fact that Jesus identifies with those who are oppressed has led some to speak of seeing Jesus in the poor and serving him in them. No doubt there is a very precious value being expressed here and many who espouse it love very well. However, there is a danger that we might see ourselves as loving Jesus, but not really be loving the person suffering the oppression.

Others speak of seeing the oppressed in Jesus; that is to say, seeing them through his eyes and with his heart. This might be closer to what Matthew has in mind in this scene. To be a disciple of Jesus is to live Jesus' life. It is to have his mind and his heart. It is to identify where he identifies. It is to know and give expression to the compassion of one who is ‘gentle and humble in heart' (Mt 11:29).

See also the definition for Corporal Works of Mercy which are based on this scripture.