Pentecost Season · Year A
Christ the King
November 22, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
Chapter 24 concludes and chapter 25 begins with a call to be prepared, since there will be no precursor signs for Jesus’ reappearing (24:36–51). Matthew 25:14–46 continues with this theme of readiness by narrating two more parables of Jesus, one focusing on faithfulness as the way to continually stay prepared (25:14–30), and one on actions of mercy and justice as the way to live out covenant faithfulness (25:31–46). Themes of faithfulness, mercy, and justice have already been introduced as hallmarks of Torah adherence (23:23), which are to typify Jesus’ followers. Chapter 25 concludes the fifth and final Matthean discourse of Jesus’ teachings (chaps. 24–25). The final words of Matthew’s Gospel will make clear that Jesus expects his followers to obey all his teachings (28:20; see 26:1).
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Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 25:31-46 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this Reign of Christ Gospel by a named seminary scholar.
Matthew 25 - The Sheep and the Goats Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the final judgment and the King who identifies with the least.
Matthew 25:31-46 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary reading the scene as mercy that does not calculate who deserves it.
Matthew 25:31 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the throne of glory and the two flocks.
Matthew 25:31 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further preaching voice.
Matthew 25 Commentary Precept Austin
An inductive study page collecting word studies and cross references on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 25 (Matthew Henry Complete) Bible Study Tools
Matthew Henry's full exposition of the chapter for a classic devotional reading.
Matthew 25:31 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the words for sheep and goats.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's book introduction to Matthew for the setting of the last judgment scene.
Gospel of Matthew Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Matthew that frames its portrait of the coming King and judge.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the judgment of the sheep and the goats?
The Son of Man, enthroned in glory, separates the nations as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, and the criterion is mercy shown to the hungry, the stranger, the sick, and the prisoner, “one of the least of these” (Matthew 25:31–46). The King identifies himself with the needy.
What is Christ the King Sunday?
The last Sunday of the church year (also called the Reign of Christ), the week whose date falls between November 20 and 26, before Advent begins a new year. In Year A the Revised Common Lectionary appoints Matthew 25:31–46.
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