Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:33

What does Matthew 25:33 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:33 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:33 means

The Son of Man will strategically place the "sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." In biblical symbology, the right hand denotes favor, honor, and blessing, while the left signifies disfavor and condemnation. This physical positioning on either side of the majestic throne visually reinforces the profound and irreversible distinction established in the previous verse, clearly indicating divergent eternal destinies for the two groups. This arrangement sets up the pronouncement of judgment for each side.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he will put the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he shall set the sheep indeed on his right hand, and the goats on the left.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and he will set the sheep on his right hand, and the goats on [his] left.

Context

This verse specifies the placement of the two separated groups, the sheep and the goats, upon the King's right and left hand. It is a direct continuation of the separation described in verse 32 and provides the physical arrangement for the pronouncements that follow. This crucial positioning dictates who will receive blessing and who will receive condemnation, preparing the reader for the King's address to each group in the very next verses.

v.32and 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;

v.33This passage

v.34Then 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:

Cross references

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

  • Ephesians 1:20

    which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

  • Psalms 110:1

    Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Mark 16:19

    So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

  • Acts 2:34

    For David ascended not into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,

  • John 10:26

    But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep.

  • Genesis 48:17

    And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head.

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