Mat 25:35-40 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Matt 25:35-36: 25:35-36 The deeds described here, often called “deeds of mercy,” were acts of compassion shown to the helpless (see Isa 58:1-12 ; Ezek 18:7 ; Jas 1:26-27 ). These good deeds are not attempts to merit God’s favor; rather, they arise from a love for Christ that results in compassion toward others (see 6:1-4 ).

Summary for Matt 25:35-36: 25:35-36 ^a The deeds described here, often called “deeds of mercy,” were acts of compassion shown to the helpless (see Isa 58:1-12 ^b; Ezek 18:7 ^c; Jas 1:26-27 ^d). These good deeds are not attempts to merit God’s favor; rather, they arise from a love for Christ that results in compassion toward others (see 6:1-4 ^e).
25:37 ^f These righteous ones (see 5:6 ^g, 20 ^h) are those who do God’s will as taught by Jesus, expressed most clearly in deeds of love (7:12 ⁱ; 9:9-13 ^j; 22:34-40 ^k; 25:35-40 ^l).
25:40 ^m my brothers and sisters: This expresses either Jesus’ solidarity with his disciples (see 10:42 ⁿ; 18:1-14 ^o; Gal 6:10 ^p) or Jesus’ solidarity with humanity in general, irrespective of the faith of the one being helped (see Matt 6:1-4 ^q; 25:43 ^r; Prov 19:17 ^s). The use of brothers and sisters points to the first interpretation (Matt 12:46-50 ^t; 18:15-35 ^u; 23:8 ^v; 28:10 ^w) but does not invalidate social responsibility for other people in general (see Luke 10:30-37 ^x).