Who are the “least of these” in the Bible?
The phrase “the least of these” appears in Matthew 25:31-46, in Jesus’ teaching about the final judgment. In this passage, Jesus explains that when He returns in glory, He will separate all the nations as a shepherd separates sheep and goats. The sheep, representing the righteous, will inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. The reason given for their blessed state is that they cared for Jesus by caring for “the least of these my brothers.” In contrast, the unrighteous goats are sent to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels because they did not care for Jesus by neglecting care for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:41-46). So who exactly are “the least of these”?
There are several views on who “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” refers to in Matthew 25:40. Here are some of the main interpretations:
1. All people in need. Some understand this passage in the broadest sense as referring to anyone in need—the poor, hungry, homeless, sick, imprisoned, marginalized, etc. Under this view, Jesus is saying that when we care for the neediest among us, we are caring for Christ. This emphasizes practical love and compassion for those facing hardship and difficulty.
2. Christians in need. Others interpret “the least of these” more specifically as referring to Christians or believers in need. In this understanding, Jesus has in mind care for fellow Christians who are hungry, poor, homeless, sick, or in prison. It emphasizes serving other members of the body of Christ who are vulnerable and overlooked.
3. Missionaries and evangelists. Some view “these brothers and sisters of mine” as Jesus referring specifically to Christian missionaries and evangelists who were traveling and dependent on hospitality and support. Under this interpretation, the passage refers to providing sustenance for those spreading the gospel.
4. The Jewish people. Another perspective is that “the least of these” refers specially to caring for the poor and needy among the Jewish people, Jesus’ own ethnic group. This view highlights meeting needs among Jesus’ national community.
5. All the “unimportant” people. A broader interpretation is that Jesus has in mind all the “unimportant” people who tend to be forgotten or overlooked by society. This would include the poor, needy, sick, marginalized, persecuted, and disadvantaged. Under this view, “the least” refers to socioeconomic status more than ethnicity.
So in summary, there are differing perspectives on who exactly the “least of these” refers to. But a common thread in all these views is that Christ has a special concern for those who are on the margins of society, vulnerable, overlooked, and in need. Jesus strongly identifies with caring for the weak and disadvantaged. Neglecting to care for needy and suffering people—whoever they may be—is effectively neglecting Christ Himself.
Beyond the specific interpretation of “the least of these,” this passage conveys some important principles:
– Jesus closely identifies with the poor and marginalized. How we treat them demonstrates the genuineness of our relationship with Him.
– God values and dignifies the lives of those whom society often overlooks. Their plight matters greatly to God.
– Serving the needy pleases God and reflects Christ’s own servant heart. It manifests true righteousness inspired by faith.
– Neglecting the poor and suffering dishonors Christ. It demonstrates we do not know Him or walk in obedience to Him.
– Ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and human labels do not limit who our “neighbor” is. Our call is to serve human needs wherever they exist.
– Loving our neighbor demonstrates the sincerity of our love for God (1 John 4:20). The two go hand in hand.
– Serving the disadvantaged with compassion should be a defining mark of the Christian life and the Church (James 1:27, Galatians 2:20).
– God grants eternal life to those who sincerely love and serve Him by caring for those in need (Matthew 25:34-36).
While views differ on who exactly comprises “the least of these,” the call for Christ-followers to serve human needs with mercy and justice rings loudly from this passage. If we wish to live out the gospel and embody the character of Christ, we must open our eyes to see, hearts to care, and hands to meet the needs of the poor, oppressed, vulnerable, and marginalized in our world. We are called to radical compassion and sacrificial service after the pattern of our Savior. When we pour out our lives to meet the needs of “the least of these,” we pour our lives out in service to Christ Himself.
Other Biblical Passages on Serving the Vulnerable
There are many other passages in Scripture that reflect God’s concern for the poor, afflicted, and socially vulnerable. Here is a sampling of verses that convey God’s care for the disadvantaged and our responsibility to care for them:
– “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” (Psalm 82:3)
– “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1)
– “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.” (Psalm 82:3)
– “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)
– “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11)
– “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)
– “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27)
– “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.'” (Matthew 25:40)
– “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)
– “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
– “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” (Acts 4:34-35)
– “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” (Luke 3:11)
– “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6)
– “Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them.” (Isaiah 58:7)
So we see a strong witness in Scripture to God’s compassion for the disadvantaged and distress, and His call to His people to serve, support, and speak up for those in need. This reflects God’s heart of mercy and justice and should stir His followers to open their eyes and respond with concrete expressions of Christ-like service and advocacy.
The Example of Jesus
Jesus’ entire life and ministry embodied service, compassion, and advocacy for the marginalized. Throughout His public ministry, He reached out to the poor, sick, brokenhearted, persecuted, and rejected members of society.
Jesus was born in humble circumstances Himself and identified powerfully with the poor and downtrodden (Luke 2:7). He attended to their practical needs like healing sickness and feeding the hungry (Mark 1:32-34, Matthew 15:32). He treated them with dignity and compassion when others scorned them (Matthew 8:2-3). He touched the “unclean” and shared meals with the outwardly sinful, extending them mercy and forgiveness when religious leaders condemned them (Matthew 8:3, Luke 15:2).
Jesus’ first sermon highlighted His mission to bring good news to the poor, proclaim freedom to prisoners, restore sight to the blind, and release the oppressed (Luke 4:18). He declared blessings on the poor, hungry, weeping, and hated (Luke 6:20-22). He exposed the neglect of the rich man towards the beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). He responded to exclusion and injustice with powerful teaching on neighbor love and mercy (Luke 10:25-37).
Jesus praised and encouraged those who showed practical generosity and inclusion of the needy (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 14:12-14). He claimed that serving “the least of these” was directly serving Him (Matthew 25:31-46). Right before His death, He reminded His disciples that there would always be needy people deserving of compassion (Mark 14:7). He willingly gave His own life to reconcile humanity in all its weakness and need back to God (Romans 5:6-8).
Jesus’ ministry affirms that God cares deeply for the practical needs and spiritual struggles of the marginalized. Following Christ requires that His people extend concrete help and heartfelt compassion to the disadvantaged.
Conclusion
There are diverse perspectives on who exactly comprises “the least of these” in Matthew 25. But Scripture clearly conveys God’s compassion for the poor and needy. He calls His people to open their eyes, hearts, hands to serve them in practical ways. Jesus identified profoundly with the marginalized and served as the ultimate example of sacrificial servanthood. As His followers, we are to mimic His servanthood and share His heart for the vulnerable. In serving the disadvantaged, we serve Jesus Himself. By God’s grace, may the global Church increasingly fulfill its calling to minister to the needs of “the least of these”—whoever they may be—with the love of Christ.
