Who are the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40)?

from the old testament

• The "least of these" passage is not found in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• The passage containing this phrase (Matthew 25:31–46) concludes a larger section that began when the disciples asked when the temple would be destroyed and when the end of the age would come (Matthew 24:1–3). This passage is then connected to end-time events and describes Jesus separating the sheep from the goats. Most agree that the sheep are believers and the goats are unbelievers. However, because it’s eschatological and because Matthew 24–25 in particular is a hotly debated passage depending on one’s eschatological view, several views exist as to who the “least of these” are. Jesus defines them as “my brothers,” so the real debate is who Jesus meant by His brothers.
• Final Judgment Scene: Many Conservative Christians have historically held that this scene is the same final judgment scene found in Revelation 20:11–15. They argue that the “brothers” are believers, with the sheep (believers) evidencing their love of Jesus by loving the “brothers” (other believers). Theologically, this interpretation is strong because Jesus says the world will know those who are His by their love (cf. John 13:35). Additionally, Matthew often uses the word “brother” to refer to believers (e.g., Matthew 12:49–50). However, a weakness of this view is that it interprets “brothers” as both “sheep” and “brothers,” whereas Jesus appears to be talking about a third group of people. Note that an older Christian view, still held by some today, is that “brother” refers specifically to missionaries or apostles. They base that on Matthew 10:40, where Jesus said that whoever received them also received Him.
• Judgment Scene Before the Millennial Kingdom: Because “brothers” appears to be a third group of people, and because Matthew 24–25 seems to lead up to the Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4–6), other conservative Christians disagree with the traditional view. Instead, they argue that the “brothers” are ethnic Jews (e.g., Matthew 1:3), thus being Jesus’ genetic brothers through a common ancestor. They argue that during the final Tribulation, Jews will be singled out for a particularly fierce persecution which involves both Satan’s wrath and apparently the world against them as a whole (Revelation 12:13–17). They also note that most or all Jews will be saved at that time (Romans 11:25–27), and explain why they aren’t in this judgment scene. After the Tribulation, Jesus will descend to war with the nations (Revelation 19:11–21). This view argues that when that ends, this scene judges Gentiles who remained alive through it. Those who are true believers, as evidenced by their risky, counter-culture love of the Jews, are the sheep and will enter alive into the millennium kingdom. The rest will go into punishment. There is disagreement as to whether that punishment will be their final judgment, or whether they will join the rest of the unbelievers during God’s final judgment.
• Humanity in General: Still others argue that “brothers” refers to the downtrodden in general. This view argues that loving those in need evidences their salvation. This view has a couple of problems. Neither Matthew nor any other New Testament text uses “brother” to refer to humanity in general or downtrodden humanity—that is a modern use of the word “brother.” Additionally, Jesus taught that love for other believers shows they are His, not love for humanity in general. Finally, it introduces the theological problem of what happens to the “brothers” themselves in this judgment.

implications for today

Matthew 25:31–46 is all too often read as a test of true Christians based on engagement with social causes. It’s not that those ministries may not be valuable, particularly when part of a larger mission to declare the gospel to those groups, but the “test” of a true Christian is that they are saved through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8–9). While the Bible does teach good works, it frames them as what the Spirit enables us to do and as evidence of a believing heart (James 2:17–18). The point of this passage, then, is less about who the “least of these” are so that we can do more for “them,” but more about the heart of the sheep and goats.

Jesus taught that believers, the sheep, show the world they are His by loving His people (John 13:34–35). Conversely, His enemies, the goats, hate His people (John 15:18–20). By their love (or hatred), they are evidencing whether they belong to Jesus.

When this judgment scene happens, Jesus won’t save people because they gave money to the homeless or literal water to those in prison. He will be singling them out because they repented of their sin and trusted in Him. Because that confession was genuine, their love will be evidenced in all they do. That’s the point of this passage: Jesus separates between those who love Him as evidenced by their love for His people and those who hate his people and thus Him.

Let us find ourselves on the side of the sheep! First, we must confess our sin and believe in Him. That’s how we become sheep! Then, let us strive to show the world who Jesus is by loving his “brothers.” That starts with loving those in your church (Galatians 6:10), but it extends outward, as God has gifted you and given you an opportunity!