Matthew 25:31-40

| Matt 25 |

The Final Judgment

31 i “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, j then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him k will be gathered l all the nations, and m he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates n the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then o the King will say to p those on his right, ‘Come, you q who are blessed by my Father, r inherit s the kingdom t prepared for you u from the foundation of the world. 35 For v I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you w gave me drink, x I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 v I was naked and you clothed me, y I was sick and you z visited me, a I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And b the King will answer them, c ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these d my brothers, [1] you did it to me.’

Translation Notes

[1] 25:40 Or brothers and sisters

My Notes

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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. 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. 25:31 Son of Man. See note on 8:20. angels with him. See 13:41–42; 2 Thess. 1:7; Rev. 14:17–20. sit on his glorious throne. As both Judge and King.

Matt. 25:32 all the nations. Both Jews and Gentiles, who are the object of the Great Commission throughout this age (see note on 28:19). he will separate people one from another. See 7:21–23; 13:40–43.

Matt. 25:34 King. The Son of Man upon his throne (v. 31) recalls the prophecy of Dan. 7:13–14, in which the Ancient of Days bestows the kingdom upon “one like a son of man.” blessed by my Father. The blessing to the “sheep” (Matt. 25:32) consists of their inheritance of the Father's kingdom, given not as a reward for good works but because of their saving relationship with the Father and the Son.

Matt. 25:40 In the context of the parable the least of these refers to those who are most needy among Jesus' brothers—a reference most likely to Jesus' disciples and by extension all believers. The “sheep” are commended for their great compassion for those in need—for the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger; for those who are naked, sick, or in prison. The righteous will inherit the kingdom not because of the compassionate works that they have done but because their righteousness comes from their transformed hearts in response to Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom, as evidenced by their compassion for the “least of these.” In caring for those in need, the righteous discover that their acts of compassion for the needy are the same as if done for Jesus himself (you did it to me).