Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:32

What does Matthew 25:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:32 means

Before the Son of Man, all the nations will be gathered, and He will separate them from one another "as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats." This imagery highlights the universal scope of this final judgment, encompassing all humanity. The shepherd separating the sheep from the goats illustrates a clear, decisive, and final division between two distinct groups. This separation is based on inherent qualities, not merely outward appearance, leading to eternally divergent destinies.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and before him shall be gathered all the nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And before him all the nations will come together; and they will be parted one from another, as the sheep are parted from the goats by the keeper.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and gathered together before him shall be all the nations, and he shall separate them from one another, as the shepherd doth separate the sheep from the goats,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And all nations shall be gathered together before him: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and all the nations shall be gathered before him; and he shall separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats;

Context

This verse immediately follows Jesus' description of His glorious return in verse 31, detailing the initial act of the Last Judgment: the gathering and separation of all nations. The powerful metaphor of the shepherd and his flock makes the act of judgment tangible and comprehensible. This fundamental division sets the stage for the two distinct groups to be placed on the King's right and left hand, leading directly into the criteria for judgment in subsequent verses.

v.31But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory:

v.32This passage

v.33and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 2:12

    For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law: and as many as have sinned under the law shall be judged by the law;

  • Psalms 1:5

    Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

  • Matthew 13:49

    So shall it be in the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the righteous,

  • Malachi 3:18

    Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

  • Romans 14:10

    But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.

  • Revelation 20:12

    And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which isthe bookof life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.

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