Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:34

What does Matthew 25:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:34 means

The King will address those on His right hand, proclaiming, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." This invitation signifies adoption into God's eternal family and the fulfillment of His ancient redemptive plan. It emphasizes that entrance into the Kingdom is a divine blessing, rooted in God's eternal purpose and prepared before time began. Their inheritance is not earned but received, a testament to God's grace through Christ.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then will the King say to those on his right, Come, you who have the blessing of my Father, into the kingdom made ready for you before the world was:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Then shall the king say to those on his right hand, Come ye, the blessed of my Father, inherit the reign that hath been prepared for you from the foundation of the world;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then shall the King say to those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from [the] world's foundation:

Context

This verse immediately follows the placement of the "sheep" on the King's right hand in verse 33, initiating the King's address and glorious invitation to this blessed group. This pronouncement of their inheritance into the Kingdom sets the tone for explaining *why* they are deemed righteous, leading directly into the identification of their compassionate actions in the verses that follow.

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

v.34This passage

v.35for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in;

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 32:1

    Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in justice.

  • John 19:15

    They therefore cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him! Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Cæsar.

  • 2 Timothy 2:12

    if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:12

    to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.

  • Ezekiel 37:24

    And my servant David shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in mine ordinances, and observe my statutes, and do them.

  • Mark 10:40

    but to sit on my right hand or on my left hand is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it hath been prepared.

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