Christmas Season · New Year's Day · Year A
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
January 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to 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
Matthew 25:31-46 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's New Year exegesis of the sheep and the goats judgment scene.
Matthew 25:31-46 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed reading framing the passage as the King's final judgment.
The Least of These SALT Project
An ecumenical commentary drawing the prophetic thread of serving the vulnerable.
Christ the King, Cycle A Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
A Catholic reflection and discussion questions on this Gospel of the King and the least.
Background & Word Study
The Being of the Son of Man Left Behind and Loving It
Fresh Greek translation and grammatical notes on Matthew 25:31-46.
The 'parable' of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25 Psephizo · Ian Paul
Unpacks the genre and who 'the least of these' really are.
Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) Theology of Work
Reads the judgment through the lens of everyday work and service.
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Matthew's structure and themes.
The Church Fathers
Sermons & Reflections
Worship & Prayers
Questions preachers ask
Why does this judgment scene surprise both groups?
Neither the sheep nor the goats knew whom they were dealing with. That is the point of the passage: the king identifies himself with the hungry, the stranger and the prisoner in advance, so that what was done without calculation is what counts.
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