John Calvin Commentary Matthew 25:37

"Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink?" — Matthew 25:37 (ASV)

Then will the righteous answer him. Christ represents the righteous as doubting—what they know well—his willingness to form a just estimate of what is done to men.¹⁷⁴ But as this was not so deeply impressed on their minds as it ought to have been, he holds out to them this lively representation.¹⁷⁵ For how is it that we are so slow and reluctant to acts of beneficence, unless it is because that promise is not truly engraved on our hearts—that God will one day repay with interest what we bestow on the poor? The admiration which Christ here expresses is intended to instruct us to rise above the anxieties of our flesh whenever afflicted brothers and sisters ask for our trust and help, so that the appearance of a despised man may not hinder us from treating him with kindness.

¹⁷⁴ “La charit, qu’on exerce envers les hommes;” — “the charity which is exercised towards men.”;” — “the charity which is exercised towards men.”

¹⁷⁵ “Il leur represente au vif, tout ainsi que si la chose se faisoit devant lcurs yeux;” — “he represents it to them in a lively manner, quite as if the thing were done before their eyes.”;” — “he represents it to them in a lively manner, quite as if the thing were done before their eyes.”