Christmas Season · New Year's Day · Year C
Matthew 25:31-46
The Sheep and the Goats
January 1, 2028
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Matthew 25:31-46 Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary exegesis on the judgment scene, appointed on Christ the King but the same text used for New Year's Day.
Enduring Word: Matthew 25 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Matthew 25 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level study helps and gathered quotations on the sheep and goats.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Matthew 25:31 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the Son of Man's throne of judgment.
StudyLight: Matthew 25 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Matthew 25 gathered on one passage page.
CEP: New Year's Day, Matthew 25:31-46 Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed written sermon applying the sheep and goats to a New Year's turning point.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Matthew's structure and themes.
BibleProject: Matthew 14-28 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the second half of Matthew, including the judgment parables.
BibleHub Interlinear: Matthew 25:31 BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the shepherd's separation of sheep and goats.
The Church Fathers
Study Hub
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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