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Matthew 25:32
Verse
Context
The Sheep and the Goats
31When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.32All 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.33He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And before him shall be gathered all nations--or, "all the nations." That this should be understood to mean the heathen nations, or all except believers in Christ, will seem amazing to any simple reader. Yet this is the exposition of OLSHAUSEN, STIER, KEIL, ALFORD (though latterly with some diffidence), and of a number, though not all, of those who hold that Christ will come the second time before the millennium, and that the saints will be caught up to meet Him in the air before His appearing. Their chief argument is, the impossibility of any that ever knew the Lord Jesus wondering, at the Judgment Day, that they should be thought to have done--or left undone--anything "unto Christ." To that we shall advert when we come to it. But here we may just say, that if this scene does not describe a personal, public, final judgment on men, according to the treatment they have given to Christ--and consequently men within the Christian pale--we shall have to consider again whether our Lord's teaching on the greatest themes of human interest does indeed possess that incomparable simplicity and transparency of meaning which, by universal consent, has been ascribed to it. If it be said, But how can this be the general judgment, if only those within the Christian pale be embraced by it?--we answer, What is here described, as it certainly does not meet the case of all the family of Adam, is of course so far not general. But we have no right to conclude that the whole "judgment of the great day" will be limited to the point of view here presented. Other explanations will come up in the course of our exposition. and he shall separate them--now for the first time; the two classes having been mingled all along up to this awful moment. as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats--(See Eze 34:17).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And before him shall be gathered all nations..... That is, all that have professed the Christian religion in all the nations of the world, whether Jews or Gentiles, high or low, rich or poor, wise and foolish, such as have had greater or lesser talents; though it is also true of every individual of mankind of every nation, tribe and family, of every sex, age, and state, that ever has been, is, or will be. Yet Christian professors seem only here intended, as the following distinction of them, their final state, and the reasons of it show. This collection of them before Christ, the righteous judge, will be made by the holy angels, who will come with him for this purpose; and being mighty, as they are, will be able to accomplish great a work; and especially as being under the direction, influence, and authority of so divine, glorious, and illustrious a person, as the son of man will then to all appear to be, And he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: they shall be gathered before him, as they were together in their visible church state, as being all under a profession of religion; some wise, some foolish virgins; some sheep, and others goats; some industrious, diligent, faithful, and laborious servants; others wicked, slothful, and unprofitable ones; many of whom pass undistinguished and undiscovered now: but then the judge, who is of quick understanding, will easily discern the one from the other; such as have the oil of grace in the vessels of their hearts, together with their lamps, from such as have only the outward visible lamp of a profession, but destitute of the grace of God; and good and faithful servants, who have made a right use of their gifts, from such who have been negligent, careless, and remiss; and though these have been folded together, sheep and goats, in the sheepfold of the church, where they have all bore the character of the sheep of Christ; yet now when the chief shepherd appears, who knows his own sheep, and calls them by name, he will as easily separate the one from the other, and more so, than any shepherd, among men, can part a flock consisting of sheep and goats. Hypocrites in Zion shall now be no more, nor sinners stand any longer in the congregation of the righteous, nor both together as one body, and on one side in judgment.
Matthew 25:32
The Sheep and the Goats
31When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.32All 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.33He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Pt 8 the Drawing of the Net
By Alan Redpath3.3K37:02Kingdom Of GodMAT 13:47MAT 25:32MRK 3:14ACT 13:2ROM 1:1In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the parable of the net in the sea. He highlights the lessons to be learned from this parable, such as the authority for mass evangelism, the sanction for mission work, and the necessity for church organization. The preacher also discusses the fact of severance, explaining how the good fish are gathered into vessels while the bad fish are thrown away. The main purpose of the church, according to the preacher, is to reach people and multiply the effect of Jesus' ministry among them.
(Through the Bible) 2 Thessalonians 1-3
By Chuck Smith1.9K1:22:31MAT 25:32In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Revelation and the events that will occur during the end times. He explains that John, the author of Revelation, is representative of the church and is caught up into heaven at the sound of the trump of God. The preacher compares the trumpets in Revelation to bugle calls in the army, each conveying a distinct message. He also mentions that Jesus is the only one found worthy to open the scroll in heaven, which represents the title deed to the earth. The preacher emphasizes that there will be a time of great tribulation, resulting in the death of a quarter of the earth's population, but assures that the fairness of God will be revealed as the character of those destroyed is exposed.
The Gospel Call
By Paul Washer1.8K1:03:21MAT 25:32MAT 25:34ROM 1:16ROM 10:6ROM 10:9In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of perseverance and continuation in the faith. He uses the example of believers in the Roman Empire who were being persecuted and killed for confessing Jesus as Lord. The speaker urges believers not to demand the same level of maturity and purity from new believers as they would from someone who has been a Christian for a long time. He also highlights the need for believers to faithfully proclaim the message of Jesus, even in the face of opposition and persecution. The sermon concludes with a reminder of Jesus' invitation to believers to open the door of their hearts and let Him in.
Will God Throw You Into Hell
By Tim Conway90718:58MAT 25:32This sermon emphasizes the critical importance of having a deep love for Christ as the central driving force of one's life. It highlights the impending separation between the wicked and the righteous, stressing the finality and perfection of this division. The message underscores the necessity of genuine transformation and obedience to God's will, rather than mere outward professions of faith, as the defining factor for entering the Kingdom of Heaven.
Faith, Hope, and Love
By Hans R. Waldvogel71325:05FaithJOS 1:8PRO 1:32MAT 25:32ROM 12:2COL 1:23COL 3:2JUD 1:24In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of staying on the "beam" and keeping our focus on Jesus. He compares this to a pilot flying through fog, who relies on a clock to stay on track. The speaker highlights the need to be directed by Jesus in every aspect of our lives and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. He also emphasizes the importance of having a living hope in Christ's return and not being consumed by earthly things. The sermon concludes with a reminder to meditate on God's word day and night, using the example of Joshua as a faithful servant who relied on the word of God.
The Salvation of Sinners Impossible
By Charles Finney0SalvationRepentanceMAT 25:321PE 4:18Charles Finney emphasizes the impossibility of salvation for sinners, arguing that while the righteous face difficulties in their salvation, the wicked are unable to cease from sinning and accept God's grace. He explains that God's efforts to persuade sinners are often met with resistance, and that true salvation requires a transformation of heart that they refuse to undergo. Finney warns that without repentance and a change in character, sinners cannot enter heaven, as their unholy state would disrupt the peace of the heavenly realm. Ultimately, he concludes that those who remain unrepentant will face eternal separation from God and be consigned to judgment alongside the damned.
Homily 47 on Matthew
By St. John Chrysostom0MAT 7:13MAT 13:34MAT 13:44MAT 13:47MAT 13:52MAT 25:32LUK 22:30ACT 5:411TH 4:17John Chrysostom preaches on the parables spoken by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of understanding the hidden truths revealed through these stories. He highlights the disciples' growing wisdom and confidence as they inquire about the deeper meanings behind the parables, showing their desire to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven. Chrysostom delves into the significance of the parables of the tares, the treasure, the pearl, and the net, illustrating the value of the gospel and the consequences of wickedness. He concludes by exhorting his audience to imitate the virtues of humility, almsgiving, and spiritual richness portrayed in the Scriptures and exemplified by the disciples.
Exposition on Psalm 125
By St. Augustine0PSA 124:1PSA 124:3MAT 25:32ROM 8:28EPH 2:14St. Augustine preaches on the importance of not fixing our gaze on worldly prosperity but on God, warning against pride and hardness of heart. He emphasizes the eternal stability of those who trust in the Lord, comparing them to the unmovable mount Sion. Augustine explains the significance of the heavenly Jerusalem and the righteous mountains that surround it, symbolizing truth and righteousness. He cautions against placing trust in human greatness, urging love for those in whom the Lord resides. Augustine concludes by highlighting the promise of God's justice, separating the righteous from the ungodly and leading them to their eternal heritage of peace.
On the Day of Judgment
By Thomas Reade0PSA 37:37MAT 25:1MAT 25:321CO 3:13PHP 1:61TH 5:22TI 3:12REV 22:12Thomas Reade preaches about the imminent Day of Judgment, emphasizing the importance of preparing for this significant event that will bring final separation between the righteous and the wicked. He warns against self-deception, revealing that many who appeared righteous will be exposed for their hidden sins and lack of true faith. Reade highlights the persecution and trials that believers may face, urging them to endure and remain faithful to Christ, even in the face of opposition. He contrasts the fate of those who deny Christ for worldly reasons with the blessedness of the righteous who will be transformed and dwell with the Lord forever.
The Great Separation
By M.L. Dye0MAT 7:21MAT 12:36MAT 13:41MAT 25:21MAT 25:32JHN 5:28JHN 13:8JHN 17:16M.L. Dye preaches about Jesus' teachings on the great separation that will occur when all nations are gathered before Him, emphasizing the destiny of the righteous and the wicked. Jesus reiterated the reality of this separation multiple times, highlighting the importance of repentance and faith in Him for salvation. He stressed that genuine repentance is essential for true faith, and that without it, one cannot have a part with Him. Jesus' emphasis on repentance was evident throughout His ministry, culminating in His final instructions to His disciples before His crucifixion.
The Olivet Discourse Part 3 – the Judgment
By C.H. Mackintosh0MAT 25:32C.H. Mackintosh challenges the traditional belief in a general judgment by emphasizing the importance of aligning with the authority of holy Scripture over human opinions. He argues that for believers, judgment is past and gone as Christ bore the wrath and judgment on their behalf, settling all questions definitively. Mackintosh delves into Matthew 25:31-46, explaining that it is not a general judgment but a specific one involving living nations based on their treatment of the Jews, refuting the idea of believers being judged again. He concludes by urging non-believers to seek refuge in Jesus to escape the impending judgment.
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
And before him shall be gathered all nations--or, "all the nations." That this should be understood to mean the heathen nations, or all except believers in Christ, will seem amazing to any simple reader. Yet this is the exposition of OLSHAUSEN, STIER, KEIL, ALFORD (though latterly with some diffidence), and of a number, though not all, of those who hold that Christ will come the second time before the millennium, and that the saints will be caught up to meet Him in the air before His appearing. Their chief argument is, the impossibility of any that ever knew the Lord Jesus wondering, at the Judgment Day, that they should be thought to have done--or left undone--anything "unto Christ." To that we shall advert when we come to it. But here we may just say, that if this scene does not describe a personal, public, final judgment on men, according to the treatment they have given to Christ--and consequently men within the Christian pale--we shall have to consider again whether our Lord's teaching on the greatest themes of human interest does indeed possess that incomparable simplicity and transparency of meaning which, by universal consent, has been ascribed to it. If it be said, But how can this be the general judgment, if only those within the Christian pale be embraced by it?--we answer, What is here described, as it certainly does not meet the case of all the family of Adam, is of course so far not general. But we have no right to conclude that the whole "judgment of the great day" will be limited to the point of view here presented. Other explanations will come up in the course of our exposition. and he shall separate them--now for the first time; the two classes having been mingled all along up to this awful moment. as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats--(See Eze 34:17).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And before him shall be gathered all nations..... That is, all that have professed the Christian religion in all the nations of the world, whether Jews or Gentiles, high or low, rich or poor, wise and foolish, such as have had greater or lesser talents; though it is also true of every individual of mankind of every nation, tribe and family, of every sex, age, and state, that ever has been, is, or will be. Yet Christian professors seem only here intended, as the following distinction of them, their final state, and the reasons of it show. This collection of them before Christ, the righteous judge, will be made by the holy angels, who will come with him for this purpose; and being mighty, as they are, will be able to accomplish great a work; and especially as being under the direction, influence, and authority of so divine, glorious, and illustrious a person, as the son of man will then to all appear to be, And he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: they shall be gathered before him, as they were together in their visible church state, as being all under a profession of religion; some wise, some foolish virgins; some sheep, and others goats; some industrious, diligent, faithful, and laborious servants; others wicked, slothful, and unprofitable ones; many of whom pass undistinguished and undiscovered now: but then the judge, who is of quick understanding, will easily discern the one from the other; such as have the oil of grace in the vessels of their hearts, together with their lamps, from such as have only the outward visible lamp of a profession, but destitute of the grace of God; and good and faithful servants, who have made a right use of their gifts, from such who have been negligent, careless, and remiss; and though these have been folded together, sheep and goats, in the sheepfold of the church, where they have all bore the character of the sheep of Christ; yet now when the chief shepherd appears, who knows his own sheep, and calls them by name, he will as easily separate the one from the other, and more so, than any shepherd, among men, can part a flock consisting of sheep and goats. Hypocrites in Zion shall now be no more, nor sinners stand any longer in the congregation of the righteous, nor both together as one body, and on one side in judgment.