King James Bible
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
In this judgment scene parable, Jesus identifies himself as the King who will preside over the final judgment. The formal language emphasizes the authority and solemnity of this divine pronouncement to the righteous. This phrase (from the Greek 'amen') signals an especially important teaching. Jesus uses this formula to underscore the certainty and significance of what follows, demanding the listeners' full attention. Jesus identifies with society's most vulnerable—the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and imprisoned mentioned earlier in the passage. By calling them 'my brethren,' he establishes a radical solidarity between himself and those who suffer. This revolutionary declaration means that acts of compassion toward the marginalized are direct service to Christ himself. It transforms ordinary charity into sacred encounter, making care for the vulnerable central to authentic discipleship.