Matthew 25 31

Matthew 25:31 kjv

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Matthew 25:31 nkjv

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

Matthew 25:31 niv

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.

Matthew 25:31 esv

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.

Matthew 25:31 nlt

"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne.

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 31 Meaning

Matthew 25:31 sets the solemn stage for the ultimate future judgment. It proclaims the visible and glorious return of Jesus Christ, identified as the Son of Man, accompanied by all His holy angels. His arrival will culminate in His enthronement as the universal King and Judge, from which He will administer righteous judgment over all nations. This verse introduces the parable of the sheep and the goats, emphasizing the divine authority by which this judgment will occur.

Matthew 25 31 Context

Matthew 25:31 introduces the final segment of the Olivet Discourse (Matthew chapters 24-25), Jesus' comprehensive teaching on the end times, given to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. This discourse follows His prophecy concerning the destruction of the Temple (Matt 24:1-2) and directly responds to His disciples' questions about the timing of these events and the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matt 24:3). Chapter 25 is dedicated to parables emphasizing readiness, vigilance, and stewardship in light of the Master's delayed return—the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matt 25:1-13) and the Parable of the Talents (Matt 25:14-30).

Verse 31 marks a transition from parabolic teaching to a direct prophetic declaration, setting the grand stage for the specific scene of final, universal judgment that follows in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matt 25:31-46). Historically, Jewish society in Jesus' time held varied messianic expectations; some anticipated a glorious king who would conquer oppressors, while others awaited a suffering servant. Jesus, through the "Son of Man" title, profoundly reframed and fulfilled these expectations, speaking of His first humble coming and His future glorious, divine return as King and Judge, a concept largely derived from Daniel's vision (Dan 7:13-14). This passage is a polemic against complacency, materialism, and a lack of compassion, revealing that ultimate destiny is linked to one's actions toward "the least of these brothers of mine."

Matthew 25 31 Word analysis

• When (ὅταν - hotan): Indicates a definite, yet future and appointed time. It signifies the commencement of a decisive event, signaling the moment the events described will unfold.
• the Son of Man (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου - ho huios tou anthrōpou): A self-designation used by Jesus over eighty times in the Gospels. This title encapsulates both His true humanity and His unique divine identity and authority, especially as portrayed in Dan 7:13-14, where a "son of man" figure receives everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom. It stresses His ultimate judicial role.
• comes (ἔλθῃ - elthē): Future tense, pointing to His definitive arrival or Second Coming (Parousia), not His initial earthly ministry. This "coming" is public, visible, and universal, not a secret or spiritual return.
• in His glory (ἐν τῇ δόξῃ αὐτοῦ - en tē doxē autou): "Glory" (δόξα - doxa) refers to His divine majesty, visible splendor, radiant presence, and inherent honor, characteristic of God Himself. This contrasts sharply with His humble first advent and crucifixion, highlighting His post-resurrection, divine exaltation and revealing His inherent deity.
• and all (καὶ πάντες - kai pantes): Emphasizes totality and comprehensiveness. Not just a few, but the entire celestial host will accompany Him.
• the holy angels (οἱ ἅγιοι ἄγγελοι - hoi hagioi aggeloi): "Holy" (ἅγιος - hagios) denotes their purity, separation for divine service, and intimate connection with God's holiness. "Angels" (ἄγγελοι - angeloi) means messengers; here, they serve as Christ's retinue and executive agents in the eschatological drama, underscoring the gravity and divine power of His return.
• with Him (μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ - met' autou): Signifies companionship, military procession, and support. His arrival is not solitary but with a powerful, visible celestial escort, a majestic entourage fit for a king and judge.
• then (τότε - tote): Temporal marker indicating a direct consequence or next action following His arrival. The seating on the throne is immediate upon His glorious advent.
• He will sit (καθίσει - kathisei): Future tense of "to sit." To sit on a throne implies assuming a position of royal authority, sovereignty, and judgment. It marks the commencement of His ultimate rule and the exercise of His judicial prerogative.
• on the throne (ἐπὶ θρόνου - epi thronou): A literal or symbolic throne, signifying a seat of power, kingship, and governance. It speaks to Christ's divine right to rule and judge.
• of His glory (δόξης αὐτοῦ - doxēs autou): This modifies "throne," identifying it not just as a royal seat, but as a throne of divine majesty and honor. It is the very throne of God, highlighting that the Son of Man's authority is divine authority, establishing Him as the ultimate Sovereign over all creation.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When the Son of Man comes": This phrase emphasizes the definitive future event of Jesus' Second Coming. It uses Jesus' preferred self-designation, highlighting His unique dual nature—humanity to identify with humanity, and divinity as derived from His celestial origin and destiny as judge.
• "in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him": This paints a majestic and awe-inspiring picture of the Parousia. The "glory" denotes visible, divine splendor, showcasing His sovereignty, while the presence of "all the holy angels" signifies His overwhelming power, divine sanction, and the grand, public nature of His arrival as King and Judge. They are not merely observers but participate in the manifest glory of Christ.
• "then He will sit on the throne of His glory": This climax immediately signifies the establishment of His final kingdom and judicial authority. The "throne of His glory" powerfully communicates His divine right to rule, drawing parallels with God's own throne (e.g., Isa 6:1; Rev 4:2), thereby asserting Jesus' shared deity and universal dominion as the Messiah King and ultimate Judge. It underscores that judgment will proceed from ultimate, righteous authority.

Matthew 25 31 Bonus section

This verse subtly underscores the universality of the judgment to follow. When the Son of Man comes in His glory with all angels, and sits on His glorious throne, He will gather all the nations before Him (Matt 25:32). This global scope indicates that no one is exempt from His scrutiny and ultimate authority. Furthermore, the majesty described in this verse is not merely for show but represents the right and power to judge perfectly, justly, and finally. The visible and grand return described also counters any secret rapture theories by emphasizing the undeniable and public nature of Christ's return for judgment and enthronement.

Matthew 25 31 Commentary

Matthew 25:31 serves as a foundational verse for understanding Christ's Second Coming and the final judgment. It is not merely a statement about a future event but a profound theological declaration about Jesus' true identity and ultimate authority. The title "Son of Man," recurring frequently in Jesus' teaching, reaches its fullest expression here, combining the human experience with divine power and cosmic kingship, rooted in Old Testament prophecy (Dan 7:13-14). His return will be public, undeniable, and universally visible, a glorious manifestation utterly distinct from His first humble advent. The accompanying angels are a divine retinue, emphasizing the momentous, divinely ordained nature of this event, indicating Christ’s universal claim as King.

His act of "sitting on the throne of His glory" immediately upon arrival signifies His inauguration as the supreme universal Judge and King. This is not a symbolic act, but the commencement of the actual administration of His reign and justice over all peoples. The "throne of glory" inherently speaks to His divine sovereignty, a throne belonging to God, now rightfully occupied by the Son of Man. This imagery confirms the scope and solemnity of the judgment described immediately afterward (the Sheep and Goats judgment), wherein actions towards humanity's "least" reveal true allegiance and relationship with Christ Himself. The passage therefore calls all believers to live lives characterized by genuine faith manifested through compassionate service and active love for one another, as it is this practical righteousness that will be evaluated at His glorious appearing.