What does Matthew 25:36 mean?

The King of all, Jesus Christ, sits on His throne at the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). A period of great tribulation on earth has passed (Matthew 24:21–22), and He has returned. The act He depicts here involves judging people by dividing them into two groups (Matthew 25:31–33). Scholars differ on the exact scope and timing of this judgment. Opinions range from a decision about which tribulation survivors enter the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1–6) to a broad-level explanation of each person's eternal fate (John 3:36; 14:6).

Here, Christ is speaking to the first group. He has categorized them as "sheep," and declared them blessed (Matthew 25:34–35). He has welcomed them into a kingdom prepared for them since the beginning of the world. That reference to an eternity-past decision by God (Ephesians 1:4) implies that these are true Christians: saved believers in Christ, also known as "the elect" (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:27; Romans 11:7; Titus 1:1).

Continuing from the prior verse, these people are said to have provided for Jesus when He was in need. They cared for Him during His times of greatest need. Naturally, the people being judged will express confusion: since this happens at the end times, most of these people will probably never have seen Jesus in person until this moment (Matthew 25:37–39). He will explain what He means as the passage continues (Matthew 25:40).