Texts in Conversation
Matthew 25 describes Jesus summarizing the teachings of the Torah, with the description of clothing the naked closely resembling ancient Near Eastern traditions such as the Akkadian Surpu tablets which itself influenced texts like Leviticus.
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Surpu II
Sumerian and Akkadian Incantations
Ancient Near East
He entered his neighbor’s house, had intercourse with his neighbor’s wife, shed his neighbor’s blood, took away his neighbor’s clothes, and did not clothe a young man when he was naked. He ousted a well-to-do young man from his family, scattered a gathered clan, used to stand by the …, His mouth is straight, but his heart is untrue, when his mouth says “yes”, his heart says “no”, altogether he speaks untrue words.
Date: 1200 B.C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Matthew 25:35
New Testament
34 Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you?
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Notes and References
"... Several parables in the Synoptic Gospels which refer explicitly or implicitly to nursing the sick are relevant for this study. They take for granted a form of “hands-on” social engagement already well established in Jewish society. Nursing the sick could fit smoothly into their scenarios ... the parable of the sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:36–44) provides a “back to the future” glimpse of the type of Christian engagement which counts most for or against Jesus’s followers in the final judgment. The specific forms of engagement are repeated in a finely-structured account no less than four times, making clear their importance. Note that sheep were rewarded for providing food and drink for the hungry, welcoming strangers, clothing the naked and visiting the sick. Key terms for treating the sick include ἐπισκοπέω “I was sick and you cared for me” (verses 36, 43), ἔρχομαι “I was sick and you came to me” (verse 39), and διακονέω “I was sick and you did not assist me” (verse 44).The help expected for the sick here is practical nursing care of the sort called by bikkur cholim ..."
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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