Matthew 25:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

NASB: And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

CSB: All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

NLT: All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

KJV: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

NKJV: All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

Jesus is describing His return to earth as Judge and King (Matthew 24:3). The waiting will be over. All who trusted in Christ and served Him will be vindicated. Everyone alive on earth will answer to Him as the Judge of all, as He sits on His glorious throne with all power and authority to decide the fate of those subject to judgment (Matthew 25:31).

Scholars and traditions differ on who will be included in this judgment. The term "nations" is used in the Bible most often as a reference to Gentiles, or non-Jews, in distinction to the nation of Israel. Some suggest the judgment depicted here will only involve people outside of end-times Israel. Others interpret this to mean all people except for Christians. A third view is that this judgment involves all people of the earth, believers and unbelievers, Jews and Gentiles, who have survived the tribulation previously described (Matthew 24:21). That series of catastrophes was cut short to spare humanity and the elect believers in Jesus (Matthew 24:22).

The act of judgment takes place immediately, with Jesus' explanation to follow. This vast array of people will be gathered before Him, and Jesus will separate them into two groups. This uses the imagery of shepherding. This was a profession very familiar to those hearing Jesus speak these words. Sheep and goats would share the same fields during the day, but they had to be separated at night, for various mundane reasons. The important detail here is that they are separated, as two distinct groups.

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.