Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.