ESV Study Bible | English Standard Version
Matthew 25:30
30 And g cast h the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place g there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Matthew 25:41
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, e ‘Depart from me, you f cursed, into g the eternal fire prepared for h the devil and his angels.
Matthew 25:46
My Notes
- Sign in or register to save your personal notes.
ESV Study Bible Notes
Sign in or register to access ESV Study Bible notes or save your personal notes and highlights.
Enjoy this free preview of the ESV Study Bible notes.
Matt. 24:1–25:46 The Delay, Return, and Judgment of Messiah. These two chapters are often called the “Olivet Discourse” because Jesus “sat on the Mount of Olives” (24:3) when he spoke these words. It is the fifth of Jesus' five major discourses recorded in the Gospel of Matthew (see Introduction: Key Themes; Literary Features). Addressed to his disciples, it is intended to give them a prophetic overview of the events to transpire in both the near and distant future.
Matt. 24:42–25:30 Parabolic Exhortations to Watch and Be Prepared for the Coming of the Son of Man. Jesus gives four parables to explain to his disciples how and why they should be prepared for his coming: the homeowner and the thief (24:42–44), the good and wicked servants (24:45–51), the 10 virgins (25:1–13), and the talents (25:14–30).
Matt. 25:30 outer darkness . . . weeping and gnashing of teeth. A typical description of hell and eternal damnation, occurring six times in Matthew and once in Luke. See note on Matt. Matt. 8:11–12.
Matt. 25:31–46 Judgment at the End. Jesus' disciples are to wait patiently in anticipation of reward at his return, when the unprepared and unrepentant will receive only judgment.
Matt. 25:41–46 Then he will say to those on his left. In contrast to the sheep (who will “inherit the kingdom”; v. 34), the goats are condemned to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. The reason for their condemnation is that they are guilty of sins of omission—that is, they have refused to show compassion to the least of these, which is the same as if they failed to have any care for Jesus himself. Given the evident unrighteousness of their hearts, they are condemned to eternal punishment. Some interpreters hold that this judgment (these will go away) will occur prior to the inauguration of Jesus' earthly millennial kingdom, and that the “sheep” (v. 33) are those blessed to enter and live under Jesus' dominion. Others equate this judgment scene with that which closes the earthly age, just prior to the eternal state (Rev. 20:11–13). The most important point, however, is that judgment will come.
