Devine Scripture

Matthew 25:46

What does Matthew 25:46 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 25:46 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 25:46 means

Jesus concludes the entire discourse on judgment with the stark declaration of eternal destinies: "And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life." This verse presents a definitive, irreversible, and eternal separation between the two groups. "Eternal punishment" signifies endless suffering and separation from God, while "eternal life" denotes unending blessedness and fellowship with Him. This final verse underscores the profound and everlasting consequences of how one lives in light of Christ's return and His call to love and serve others.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And these will go away into eternal punishment; but the upright into eternal life.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And these shall go away to punishment age-during, but the righteous to life age-during.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And these shall go into everlasting punishment: but the just, into life everlasting.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And these shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal.

Context

This verse serves as the powerful and definitive conclusion to the entire judgment scene and indeed to Matthew 25. It directly follows the King's final pronouncements on both the righteous and the condemned, articulating their ultimate and eternal destinies. This stark contrast between "eternal punishment" and "eternal life" provides the ultimate culmination of all the previous warnings and teachings on readiness, stewardship, and compassionate action.

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

v.46This passage

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 20:10

    And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

  • 1 John 5:11

    And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

  • Romans 5:21

    that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

  • John 10:27

    My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

  • Acts 24:15

    having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.

  • Matthew 13:43

    Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He that hath ears, let him hear.

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