The Sheep and the Goats (preaching resource for November 22, 2026 - Reign of Christ Sunday)

This post exegetes Matthew 25:31-46, providing context for the Gospel reading on 11/22/26. Insights are drawn from "Kingdom, Grace, Judgment" by Robert Capon; "New Bible Commentary" by RT France; and "Bible Knowledge Commentary" by Louis Barbieri.

Sheep and Goats by Roos (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

Introduction

Our Gospel reading falls within Jesus’ lengthy discourse concerning the final age (referred to elsewhere in Scripture as ‘the last days’)—a period of time (an ‘age’) that begins with Jesus’ death and resurrection, and ends with his parousia (coming or appearing) in glory at the end of the age. In Matthew 24:1-35, Jesus looked at the beginning stages of that age—the tumultuous transition from the old age of the Law to the new age of the Spirit. That transition was completed in the horrific destruction of Jerusalem with its temple in AD 70—an event that Jesus predicts will occur before this generation (the one Jesus is speaking with) passes away (Matthew 24:24). 

Next is part two of Jesus’ discourse, which spans Matthew 24:36-25:46 where Jesus addresses the part of the last days that starts in AD 70 and concludes with his parousia at the end of the age (Matthew 24:3). Jesus elaborates on that time using four parables that focus on the salvation and judgment that result from his presence—now in the Spirit and, at the Great Consummation when he appears bodily. In this sermon we look at the fourth parable: The Sheep and the Goats.

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 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. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. 

34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40 The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 

41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44 They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45 He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46 Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

As noted above, a theme of Jesus’ discourse has been the judgment that results from his presence. Now we are given a picture of the great and final judgment, which will occur at the enthronement in glory of the Son of Man. The nature of this judgment is described using a parable (actually a simile) wherein a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The language here derives from Daniel 7:9–14. This is the ultimate outworking of the kingship and authority which that prophecy envisaged for the Son of Man, and which Jesus has already referred to in several connections (Matthew 10:23; 16:28; 19:28; 24:30). The gathering of all the nations for judgment recalls the vision in Joel 3:2; but there the judge is God himself. The whole passage calmly attributes to Jesus the authority and kingship which in the Old Testament belong to God alone.

Note that this judgment involves all nations—no one is left out. Everyone is extended opportunity to see (and thus to know) who Jesus is. And then the great questions arises—how does each person respond to this unimpeded presence of Jesus? Emphasis is given first to the sheep—those who respond to Jesus with trust (faith). Their trust is evidenced by what they have done in giving food and water to the least of these brothers of mine (v40). These brothers are Jesus’ disciples. When Jesus says that in helping them you did it for me, we are reminded that Jesus has said already (Matt 10:40–42) that receiving his disciples is tantamount to receiving him, and rejecting his disciples is tantamount to rejecting him. The point is that we are not saved by works of charity (as important as these are), but that we are saved (blessed) in receiving Jesus, who is presented to us in the presence and proclamation of his ‘brothers’ (his disciples, the church).

Jesus makes clear the means of this salvation by using the language of inheritance (v34). Salvation is not about earning, but about inheriting (sharing in) Jesus’ life. In trusting Jesus we share (inherit) all that he is and has as the  king of the Kingdom of Heaven. This idea of inheritance is prominent throughout this section (see vv21, 23). And so we are told that the basis for salvation and judgment is one and the same: our response to Jesus. Are we trusting sheep who gladly share in all that Jesus possesses, or are we un-trusting goats who turn away from the master and his gifts? Do we receive Jesus as the King that he is (a truth proclaimed by his brothers, his disciples), or do we repudiate him? At this point, the results of trust or un-trust are eternal—a word that refers not to duration, but to quality of life. The life of those who trust in Jesus is abundant and joy-filled, whereas the life of those who reject him is fiery punishment (vv41, 46).

Conclusion

And so concludes Jesus’ long discourse about grace and grace-based judgment. All through these last days (the end times), which began with his death and resurrection, Jesus is making his presence known. And people are responding—some embracing it; others simply ignoring it; others rejecting it. At this point, his presence is rather hidden. But at the end of this age, with Jesus’ visible parousia, everything will be out in the open. All will see clearly. And all will be able to choose based on this clear understanding. 

Note that Jesus is the shepherd of them all—both the sheep and the goats. Again, the universality of his work with all humanity is indicated. But in the end, each must choose, for God grants to all the freedom of that choice. In the meantime, we, the brothers of Jesus, are called to make his presence known. We do so in acts of mercy and words of testimony. Let us be faithful in this gospel work, as an expression of our trust in our Master whose parousia we await. Come Lord Jesus!