PARABLE 46 - The Sheep and The Goats

PARABLE 46 — MATTHEW 25:31-46 — THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

Note: Some Biblical scholars regard these verses as a parable; others call it a word picture of the last judgment. It doesn’t matter; what matters is the message that Jesus wants us to take from it to impact our lives today. 

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

  

Discussion Questions – Parable 46

PARABLE 46 — MATTHEW 25:31-46 — THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS

1. How does the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats sum up the last three parables?

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) occurs at the end of a lengthy teaching that Jesus gave in a private conversation with his disciples during the final week before his crucifixion. In response to their questions about the end of the age (Matt.24:1-3), Jesus outlined the signs of his coming (Matthew 4:4-41) then focused on their need to be prepared (Matthew 24:43-44), responsible (24:45-51), ready (Matthew 25:1-13), productive (Matthew 25:14-30), and living lives of compassion towards the needy (Matthew 25:31-46). 

To bring home the impact of his challenge, Jesus made use of three parables: the parable of the ten bridesmaids, the parable of the talents, and the parable of the sheep and goats.

In this last parable, Jesus uses the separation of sheep and goats as an analogy of the final judgment scene to occur after the return of the Son of Man. This will be a time of accounting and a time of division, with blessings for the righteous and punishment for the wicked. This is one of the most vivid parables that Jesus ever spoke and the lesson is crystal clear. God will judge us in accordance with our reaction to human need. Our service to Jesus is demonstrated best by how we serve and care for the most needy.

2. Is this parable suggesting we inherit eternal salvation by good works?

In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, we are looking at man redeemed and saved, and man condemned and lost. A casual reading seems to suggest that salvation is the result of good works. The “sheep” acted charitably, giving food, drink, and clothing to the needy. The “goats” showed no charity. This seems to result in salvation for the sheep and damnation for the goats.

However, Scripture does not contradict itself, and the Bible clearly and repeatedly teaches that salvation is by faith through the grace of God and not by our good works (see John 1:12; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 4:4-8; Romans 7:24-25; Romans 8:12; Galatians 3:6-9; and Ephesians 2:8-10). 

The good works mentioned in the parable are not the cause of salvation but the effect of salvation. As Christians we become like Christ (see Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; and Colossians 2:6-7). Galatians 5:22 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, and temperance. Good works in a Christian’s life are the direct overflow of these traits, and are only acceptable to God because of the relationship that exists between servant and Master, the saved and their Savior, the sheep and their Shepherd (see Ephesians 2:10).

The core message of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats is that God’s people will love others. Good works will result from our relationship to the Shepherd. Followers of Christ will treat others with kindness, serving them as if they were serving Christ Himself. The unregenerate live in the opposite manner. While “goats” can indeed perform acts of kindness and charity, their hearts are not right with God, and their actions are not for the right purpose – to honor and worship God.

3. How does this parable begin? What is the setting of this event (vs. 31-32)?

Jesus begins the parable by saying it concerns His return in glory to set up His kingdom (vs. 31). Therefore, the setting of this event is at the beginning of the *millennium, after the tribulation. All those on earth at that time will be brought before the Lord, and He will separate them “as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left” (vs. 32-33).

See “What is the Millennium Kingdom”

4. Why did Jesus use the figurative analogy of sheep and goats? What are the personalities of these animals in real life?

The figure of sheep and goats is used for the accepted and rejected because of the habits and color of the animals.

Sheep are inoffensive and easily led; they are noted for their mildness, simplicity, innocence, patience and usefulness. Goats are naturally mischievous, wayward, quarrelsome, lascivious, and ill-centered, and as such are a symbol of riotous, profane and impure men. Selfish from birth, they represent those nations and individuals given up to their own passions and lusts, and who fail to see the needs of others.

Goats are extremely destructive. The Jews had no success in restoring forests in certain areas of Jerusalem, until they banned goats from it, and then, immediately, they had success. The goats browse on the tender shoots of the trees and shrubs, and so prevent growth. Even in color and habits there are significant differences between the two animals. Sheep are usually white while goats are black, speaking of righteousness and sin. 

Moreover, the two animals maintain a measure of separateness, for though goats might mingle with sheep; there is no disposition on either side for more intimate acquaintance. When drinking, around wells, they appear instinctively to classify themselves apart; at night, they settle down in separate, distinctive groups.

The figurative analogy in this parable is not hard to apply.

In the parable portion of the prophecy, the sheep are described as following the lead of the shepherd by helping his people; where as the goats please themselves. In the final apportioning of judgment, the sheep are gathered at the place of honor on the right hand of Christ, as he is on the right hand of the Father, whereas the goats are placed on his left.

5. What will Jesus say to those on his right (the sheep) (vs. 34-36)? How will the sheep respond to Jesus’ words? (vs. 37-39) How does Jesus respond to their questions? (vs. 40)

The sheep on Jesus’ right hand are blessed by God the Father and given an inheritance. The reason is stated: “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, 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” (vs. 35-36). The righteous will not understand: when did they see Jesus in such a pitiful condition and help Him? “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’” (vs. 39-40).

6. What did Jesus say to those on his left (the goats) (vs. 41-43)? How did they respond (vs. 44)? How did Jesus reply to them (vs. 45)? 

The goats on Jesus’ left hand are cursed with eternal hell-fire, “prepared for the devil and his angels” (vs. 41). The reason is given: they had opportunity to minister to the Lord, but they did nothing (vs. 42-43). The damned ask, “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?” (vs. 44). Jesus replies, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (vs. 45).

Jesus then ends the parable with a contrast: “These shall go to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (vs. 46).

7. How can we live with a greater awareness that as we serve others, and care for the needy, we are really serving Jesus? Are you a sheep or goat?

  

See the story “When Jesus Came To Dinner”