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More Matthew commentaries
Matthew 22:1-14
The Banquet Invitation
Matthew 22:15-22
Bombarded With Tricky Questions
Matthew 22:23-33
Is There Marriage in Heaven?
Matthew 22:34-46
The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 23:1-12
The Pharisaical Religion
Matthew 23:13-26
Blinded to God’s Truth
Matthew 23:27-39
White Washed Sepulchers
Matthew 24:1-14
The Olivet Discourse
Matthew 24:32-51
A Faithful Servant
Matthew 25:1-13
The Foolish Bridesmaids
Matthew 25:14-30
The Wise and Foolish Stewards
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and Goat Judgment
Matthew 26:1-5
Jesus Predicts His Death
Matthew 26:6-16
At Simon the Leper’s House
Matthew 26:17-30
The Lord’s Supper
Matthew 26:31-35
Three Characteristics of Jesus
Matthew 26:36-46
The Weekness of our Flesh
Matthew 26:47-56
Jesus Is Arrested
Matthew 26:57-68
Jesus on Trial
Matthew 27:1-10
Judas’ Sorrow and Suicide
Matthew 27:11-26
Trial Before Pilate
Matthew 27:27-44
The Mockery and Crucifixion
Matthew 27:57-66
Burial in Joseph’s Tomb
Matthew 28:1-10
Women Visit the Tomb
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The Sheep and Goat Judgment
Matthew 25:31–46
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God’s faithfulness. In his journal he wrote: Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wildern … More
We find Jesus giving a prophetic sermon. The phrase all nations refers to the Gentiles (v. 32). These are all people other than Jews, who have lived throughout the tribulation period and will be judged individually. This judgment will take place on earth right after the battle of Armageddon and must not be confused with the Great White Throne judgment after the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth.
There are three groups in this account; sheep, goats and brethren (vv 33-34). It seems likely that the brethren are the believing Jews from the tribulation period. They have trusted Christ and refuse to receive the “mark of the beast” (Rev. 13:16-17). They are unable to buy or sell and can only survive through the loving care of the “sheep Gentiles” who have trusted Christ and care for these brethren (vv. 35-40).
The sheep individuals have not actually seen the Lord Jesus or ministered to His needs but because they lovingly ministered to the believing Jews they did it to Christ. Their motive was not a reward but sacrificial love. The goat individuals were judged because they did not trust Christ and as a result care for His brethren (the believing Jew). They apparently received the “mark of the beast” and took care of their own needs but had no time for the Jewish people and their suffering on earth. The forces of the world dictator will be doing everything possible to exterminate all Jews (Revelation 12:17). The king explains how they refused to help him when they denied help to others (vv. 41-46).
Application
There are sins of omission as well as sins of commission (James 4:17). In other words, not doing good when it is in my power to do it, is the moral equivalent of doing evil. How would I rate myself on a scale of 1 to 10 concerning this matter with 10 being excellent?
Matthew 25:31-46 (English Standard Version)
"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 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. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
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