Truly, I say to you is similar to “For truly, I say to you” of 5.18; see comment there.

Least is the same adjective used in 2.6; 5.19 (twice); 25.45. See comment at 5.19. For many languages the least of these my brethren will be insufficient, and one may be required to translate as Good News Translation‘s “the least important of these brothers of mine.” Another good way is “Whenever you did it for one of my brothers, even one of the least important ones.” Of course, although brethren is masculine, the text includes all people, whatever their sex. “Brothers and sisters” is acceptable.

At this point Matthew clearly identifies Jesus with those persons who are suffering for whatever reason. In the words of one scholar, “For Matthew anyone is Jesus’ brother [or sister] who obeys his word and does the will of the Father, but also anyone who suffers and is in need.” Therefore it is important that readers don’t think this means real blood brothers. It may be necessary to say “these people who are like brothers to me, even the least important ones.”

Good News Translation has rendered Revised Standard Version as by “whenever.” This can be restructured, if necessary: “You have done these things for others, and I consider that you have done them for me.”

You did it to me: this may be “it is as if you did it to me,” “… as valid as if…,” or “I consider that you did it to me.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .