Matthew 25:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

NIV: He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

NASB: and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.

CSB: He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on the left.

NLT: He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

KJV: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

NKJV: And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

The act of judgment Jesus enacts at some point in the end times (Matthew 25:31–32) takes place in this part of the passage. He places each person into one of two groups. These are described as the sheep, on His right hand, and the goats, on His left. Christ does not give details on how this will be accomplished in real time. It is difficult to imagine this happening with a planet fulfilled with people; however, Jesus does not seem to depict this as a parable or metaphor. This is a real judgment, and a real separation.

Scholars dispute who, exactly, is subject to this judgment. The eternal fate of non-believers is declared at the great white throne, sometime after the millennium (Revelation 20:11–15) and just prior to the arrival of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1–2). Believers have their eternal judgment, for rewards only, at the so-called "Bema seat" of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).

How the judgment of sheep and goats fits into the calendar of end-times events is not entirely clear. Some interpreters believe this is a general description of the only two possible fates for each person. Others suggest the people here have survived the tribulation (Matthew 24:21–22) and are being judged to see who enters the millennial kingdom of Christ (Revelation 20:1–6).

Matthew 25:31–46 describes Jesus' epic judgment, to take place when He returns as King with His angels and takes His place on the throne. He will divide those judged into two groups: "sheep" and "goats." The sheep will be welcomed and praised for serving those in need. The goats will be sent away from Jesus to eternal fire and condemned for not serving those in need. This comes at the end of the Olivet Discourse, which began when disciples asked Jesus about the end days (Matthew 24:3). This passage is notoriously difficult to interpret, making it especially important to handle with caution. Though it is referred to as a "parable," thanks to the use of shepherding terms, the situation it describes seems to be very real.

Jesus uses two additional parables to illustrate a state of constant readiness for His return after He has gone. His followers should be working for Him while they wait. They must not be like the foolish young women who missed a wedding feast because they forgot oil for their lamps. They must be like the servants who doubled their harsh master's investments while He was away. Jesus concludes with a third descriptive passage, showing how He will judge between the righteous and evil when He returns as King.

Matthew 25 concludes the "Olivet Discourse:" Jesus' teaching to the disciples about future things as they sit on the Mount of Olives. This follows His dire predictions about the Temple and Jerusalem in chapter 24. He gives two more parables to emphasize that they must be prepared for His return. Finally, Jesus describes the moment of His return, after a time of tribulation, when He will judge all who live on earth at the beginning of His kingdom. This leads into Matthew's account of Jesus' Last Supper, betrayal, and arrest in chapter 26.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.