---
title: Matthew 25:35
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-25-35/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/matthew-25-35.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: Matthew 25:35
testament: NT
section: Gospels
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# Matthew 25:35

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in,

## NWT Wording of the Key Phrase

- NWT (2013 revision): "For I became hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you received me hospitably;"

## JW Usage

The Watchtower reads vv. 35-40 as the works that establish a Witness's standing as one of the "sheep" — feeding the hungry, giving drink, welcoming strangers, and especially showing kindness to "the least of these my brothers," whom the Watchtower identifies with the anointed remnant. JW commentary treats the works as conditional for inheriting paradise life: the "great crowd" survives Armageddon based on their support of Jehovah's anointed during the great tribulation.

## Protestant Usage

The works of vv. 35-40 do not establish standing — they display it. The sheep are already declared "blessed by my Father" in v. 34, and the Kingdom is described as "prepared for you from the founding of the world." Then the King recites their works as evidence of their identity. Pair Matthew 25:35 with vv. 37-40 (the sheep are surprised by their own works — "Lord, when did we see you hungry?") and 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 (works tested by fire at the judgement seat; the believer is saved even though some works are burned up). The Reformed reading preserves both halves of the New Testament's testimony: salvation by grace through faith alone, and final judgement according to works as the public display of who the believer has been.

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [Judgment According to Works](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/judgment-according-to-works.md) — Matthew 25, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Revelation 20 — evidence or basis? [Salvation]