Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 25:35-36

"for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me." — Matthew 25:35-36 (ASV)

I was an hungred. The union between Christ and his people is the most tender and endearing of all connections. It is represented by the closest unions of which we have knowledge (John 15:4–6; Ephesians 5:23–32; 1 Corinthians 6:15).

This is a union not physical, but moral; a union of feelings, interests, plans, and destiny. In other words, He and His people have similar feelings, love the same objects, share the same trials, and inherit the same blessedness (John 14:19; Revelation 3:5, 21; Romans 8:17).

Hence, He considers favors shown to His people as shown to Himself, and will reward them accordingly (Matthew 10:40, 42). They show attachment to Him and love to His cause. By showing kindness to the poor, needy, and sick, they show that they possess His spirit—for He did it when on earth; they demonstrate attachment to Him, for He was poor and needy; and they show that they have the proper spirit to fit them for heaven (1 John 3:14, 17; James 2:1–5; Mark 9:41).

Was a stranger. The word stranger means a foreigner or traveler; in our language, one unknown to us. To receive such individuals into one's home for hospitality was, in eastern countries where there were few or no inns, a great virtue. See Genesis 18:1-8; Hebrews 13:2.

Took me in. Into your house. Received me kindly.

Naked. Poorly clothed. Among the Jews, those who were clothed in poor garments, or who wore only the tunic or inner garment without any outer garment, were called naked (Matthew 5:40; Acts 19:16; Mark 14:51–52; Job 22:6; Isaiah 58:7).