MPV Commentary

The close connection between this sublime scene, peculiar to Matthew, and the two preceding parables is too obvious to need pointing out.

31. When the Son of man comes in his glory, accompanied by all the holy angels, he will sit on the throne of his judicial authority (De 33:2; Da 7:9-10; Jude 14; Heb 1:6; 1Pe 3:22).

32. Before him will be gathered all nations, or "all the nations." This is a surprising concept to many readers, yet it's the interpretation of Olshausen, Stier, Keil, Alford, and others who believe Christ will come again before the millennium. They argue that believers in Christ would not wonder at being judged for their actions towards Him.

However, if this scene doesn't describe a personal, public judgment on men according to how they treated Christ, we must reconsider whether Jesus' teaching is indeed simple and transparent. If only those within the Christian pale are included, it's not a general judgment. Other explanations will emerge as we continue our exposition.

He will separate them, now for the first time, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats (Eze 34:17).

33. He will place the sheep on his right hand, the side of honor (1Ki 2:19; Ps 45:9; 110:1), but the goats on the left, the side of dishonor.

34. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Eph 1:3-4). This is a reference to their eternal purpose in Christ, chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in love.

35. For I was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, or imprisoned, and you came to me (Mt 25:35).

36. Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you drink?" And so on.

37-39. The King will respond, saying, "Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Mt 25:40).

40. Astonishing dialogue this between the King and His people! They reply, "We never did that to you, Lord; we were born out of due time." The King responds, "But you did it to My brethren, now beside you, when cast upon your love."

41. Then He says to those on the left hand, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting punishment" (Mt 25:41). They had neither warm affections nor kind deeds for Him.

42. The King continues, saying, "I came to you also, but ye knew Me not; ye had neither warm affections nor kind deeds to bestow upon Me." They reply, "In our eyes, Lord? We never saw You before."

43. The King responds, "But thus ye treated these little ones that believe in Me and now stand on My right hand. In the disguise of these poor members of Mine I came soliciting your pity, but ye shut up your bowels of compassion from Me: I asked relief, but ye had none to give Me."

44. Take back therefore your own coldness, your own contemptuous distance; Ye bid Me away from your presence, and now I bid you from Mine—Depart from Me, ye cursed!

45. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment (Mt 25:41).

46. Sentence was first pronounced upon the righteous, who then sit as assessors in judgment on the wicked (1Co 6:2). However, sentence is first executed upon the wicked, in the sight of the righteous—whose glory will thus not be beheld by the wicked, while their descent into "their own place" will be witnessed by the righteous.

The decisions of this awful day will be final, irreversible, and unending.