And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
40. Verily I tell you. As Christ has just now told us, by a figure, that our senses do not yet comprehend how highly he values deeds of charity, so now he openly declares, that he will reckon as done to himself whatever we have bestowed on his people.
Then shall he also say unto them on his left hand,.... The goats, the foolish virgins, and slothful and wicked servants, depart from me: a like expression is used by him to preachers of the word, and professors of religion, that are mere nominal ones.
Verse 40. One of the least of these. One of the obscurest, least known, poorest, and most despised and afflicted. My brethren. Either those who are Christians, whom he condescends to call brethren, or those who are afflicted, poor, and persecuted, who are his brethren and companions in suffering, and who suffer as he did on earth. See .