Matthew 25 33

Matthew 25:33 kjv

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

Matthew 25:33 nkjv

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

Matthew 25:33 niv

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

Matthew 25:33 esv

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

Matthew 25:33 nlt

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

Matthew 25 verses

Matthew 25 33 Meaning

Matthew 25:33 describes the moment in the final judgment where the Son of Man, acting as the divine judge, separates humanity into two distinct groups. One group, metaphorically represented by sheep, will be placed to His right hand, signifying favor, blessing, and eternal life in His kingdom. The other group, represented by goats, will be placed to His left, denoting condemnation and separation from Him. This verse powerfully illustrates the absolute and final nature of the coming judgment, where everyone will be decisively assigned their eternal destiny.

Matthew 25 33 Context

Matthew 25:33 is part of Jesus' Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), a section focusing on the signs of His second coming and the end of the age, and the need for preparedness and faithfulness. It immediately follows the Parable of the Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents, both of which emphasize watchfulness, stewardship, and readiness for the Lord's return. This verse itself is a direct statement within the "Parable of the Sheep and the Goats" (Matthew 25:31-46), which describes the final, universal judgment of all nations (ἔθνη - ethne). It sets the stage for the declaration of blessing upon those on the right (vv. 34-40) and condemnation upon those on the left (vv. 41-45), based on how they treated "the least of these brothers of Mine." The historical-cultural context reflects ancient Near Eastern pastoral practices, where shepherds routinely separated sheep and goats within their mixed flocks, often at night, for different feeding needs, sale, or due to their differing behaviors. This immediate, visual separation made the metaphor readily understandable to Jesus' audience.

Matthew 25 33 Word analysis

• And he will place (καὶ στήσει - kai stēsei):
  • He: Refers to "the Son of Man" from verse 31, emphasizing Jesus' divine authority as Judge.
  • will place (στήσει - stēsei): Future tense, active voice. Signifies a deliberate, authoritative, and decisive act of positioning. It conveys finality and absolute control over the judgment process. It implies an orderly and complete arrangement by the supreme Judge.
• the sheep (τὰ πρόβατα - ta probata):
  • sheep: A common biblical symbol for God's people, followers, or those under divine care. They are often characterized by docility, dependence, and susceptibility to the shepherd's voice. In this context, they represent those who have truly followed Christ, manifesting their faith through tangible acts of love and compassion towards others, particularly "the least of these."
• on his right hand (ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ - ek dexion autou):
  • right hand: In ancient cultures, and throughout Scripture, the right hand (or side) universally symbolized favor, honor, authority, power, blessing, salvation, and the preferred position. It is the place of exaltation, where Christ Himself is seated at the Father's right hand (Heb 1:3). Its placement signifies an affirmative, positive outcome leading to eternal reward.
• but the goats (δὲ τὰ ἐρίφια - de ta eriphia):
  • but: A strong contrastive conjunction, signaling a clear antithesis to the preceding clause.
  • goats: Often associated with stubbornness, independence, and occasionally ritual sin (as with the scapegoat, though not the primary emphasis here). In this parable, goats represent those who, despite potentially professing faith, did not demonstrate genuine love or mercy to others, revealing a lack of true connection to Christ or His teachings. They represent the unrighteous or wicked. The term ἐρίφια (eriphia) can also refer to "kids" (young goats), perhaps indicating a more specific category within the broader goat family.
• on the left (ἐξ εὐωνύμων - ex euonymon):
  • left: Symbolically, the left side (or hand) generally represented disfavor, dishonor, condemnation, judgment, or an undesirable position. This placement indicates the ultimate negative outcome: eternal separation and punishment. The Greek term εὐώνυμος (euonymos) literally means "well-named" or "of good name," but it was a euphemism for "left" to avoid ill-omened speech, indicating an underlying recognition of its negative connotations.

Matthew 25 33 Bonus section

The metaphor of sheep and goats draws upon familiar imagery from the Old Testament, particularly the prophet Ezekiel (Ezek 34:17), where God promises to "judge between sheep and sheep, and between rams and male goats." This prefigures the final judgment and highlights God's role in discerning between His true flock and those who only outwardly appear to be part of it. The universality implied by "all the nations" (Matt 25:32) being gathered for this judgment suggests that the separation applies to all humanity, not exclusively to those who have heard the Gospel explicitly, broadening the scope of this final discernment. This challenges the common Jewish belief that lineage alone guaranteed inclusion in the Kingdom. The very act of the Son of Man performing this separation personally signifies His ultimate authority and comprehensive knowledge of every individual's heart and deeds.

Matthew 25 33 Commentary

Matthew 25:33 vividly portrays the certainty and clarity of the final judgment under the Son of Man. The separation of "sheep" and "goats" is absolute, irreversible, and publicly demonstrated, emphasizing that there are only two ultimate destinies for humanity. This act of judgment is not arbitrary but is the just consequence of one's actions and heart posture throughout life, particularly as demonstrated through their treatment of others. The parable does not present complex theological requirements but rather points to genuine compassion and active love towards "the least of these" (which subsequent verses identify with Christ Himself, Matt 25:40, 45) as the distinguishing mark of true discipleship and, implicitly, a saving relationship with the King. This verse underscores the impartial authority of the Judge and serves as a powerful call to examine one's life, ensuring one is found among the sheep through a life of faithful service and love. It stands as a stark warning against self-deception and superficial faith, reminding believers that the outcome of judgment will be based on visible evidence of transformation.

• Example for Practical Usage: Consider acts of charity, helping those in need, comforting the afflicted, and standing for justice as tangible expressions of loving Christ. Conversely, neglecting the poor, ignoring the marginalized, or being indifferent to suffering might align with the characteristics of the "goats," indicating a faith devoid of genuine love.